New car number plates
You're referring to the new car registration plates in the UK!
As of March 2020, the UK introduced a new format for car number plates, which features a few changes. Here's what you need to know:
New format:
The new format is as follows:
- 2 letters (e.g., "AB")
- 2 numbers (e.g., "12")
- 3 letters (e.g., "ABC")
Changes:
- No more "I" or "O": The letters "I" and "O" are no longer used in the first letter of the plate, as they can be easily confused with the numbers "1" and "0".
- New font: The font used for the plates has been updated to a more modern, sans-serif font.
- No more "hyphen": The hyphen that used to separate the letters and numbers has been removed.
- New security features: The new plates feature advanced security features, such as holograms and micro-printing, to prevent counterfeiting.
When do I need to switch?
If you're buying a new car, you'll likely receive a new plate with the new format. If you're keeping your existing car, you won't need to switch until your current plate expires.
What about my existing plate?
If you have an existing plate with the old format (e.g., "ABC123CD"), you can continue to use it until it expires. When it does, you'll need to replace it with a new plate featuring the new format.
I hope that helps!