Introduction
 

New style number plates were issued to all new vehicles registered in the UK commencing on the 1st September 2001.  The new registration mark is made up of seven characters, split up into three elements: 

The first element consists of two letters which show which one of the 41 regional DVLA offices in the country the vehicle was first registered at.  This is called the "Local Memory Tag".  The letter 'Z' is not used in this element.

The second element consists of two numbers which identify when the vehicle was first registered.  This is called the "Age Identifier"

The third element consists of three random letters which give the vehicle its unique identity.  This is called, not surprisingly, the "Random Letters".  The random letters are made up using all of the letters of the alphabet except 'I' and 'Q', but any combination of letters which could be considered offensive are excluded.
 

The Local Memory Tag
 

Age Identifiers And The Dates They Refer To
(New registrations are issued in March and September of each year)
 

Sizes and fonts for New type Number plates
(The mandatory font used for the new number plates is called "Charles Wright")
 

The law states that:
1.   You must not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers.
2.   Characters must not be moved from one group to the other (e.g. HK 43 KLA must not be displayed as HK4 3KLA).
3.   Only the original font (Charles Wright) may be used and must not be altered in any way, i.e. italics, or characters made to appear different by the inappropriate positioning of fixing screws etc.
Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to £1,000.00, or the number plate withdrawn by DVLA

It is also an offence:
1.  Not to display a number plate on all mechanically propelled vehicles except electrically assisted pedal cycles.
2.  For your number plate to be obscured or not easily readable
3.  For any person to forge, alter or use or fraudulently lend or allow to be used by any person any registration mark
4.  For any requirement relating to the number, type, colour and size of the plates or layouts of the letters and numbers not to be complied with.
5.  As above for the number and position of the registration marks
6.  For the rear registration mark not to be illuminated during the hours of darkness so that it is easily legible from a distance of 18m except in the case of a bicycle, invalid carriage or a pedestrian controlled vehicle when it shall be 15m. (This requirement does not apply to works trucks or vehicles not required to be fitted with a rear registration plate)

On a trailer the registration plate must be the same as on the rear of the towing vehicle.  It is the vehicle owner's responsibility to ensure this.
 

Police throughout the country are currently carrying out a campaign against illegal number plates. If you are stopped showing an illegal number plate then you can be liable to a £30 fixed penalty ticket.  You may also be issued with a 'Vehicle Defect Rectification Form' which gives you 14 days to replace the plates with legal ones. Provided that you take your car to an MOT testing station for them to certify that the plates have been changed and are now legal, then no further action will be taken once you have returned the form to the Central Ticket Office of the issuing Force within the time limit.

If you do not replace your plates after being told to do so by the Police and you are stopped for a second time then the Police can apply to the DVLA requesting them to consider withdrawing your registration number.  You could then have your illegal number plate withdrawn and be issued with a replacement in the form of a 'Q' plate.  Your precious personalised, and possibly expensive, number plate will be gone forever.

The British Standard