The 74 Number Plate Is Here - Are You Ready?
The UK receives two new number plates each year: one in March and another in September. This system is implemented for several reasons, including consistency, age identification, tracking, car sales, and safety. This September marks the introduction of the 74 number plate, which just “74” will appear after the first two characters on every number plate of a car purchased after September 1st 2024.
If you’re wondering why it’s 74, the September number plate change is simply calculated as the year plus 50 (24 + 50 = 74). The March number plate is always the year (this year it was 24). From 1st September 2024, a number plate featuring 74 indicates that the car was registered between 01/09/2024 and 01/03/2025, replacing the 24 plates that were introduced in March this year!
This blog will give you everything you need to know about the brand-new 74 number plate as well as what it will mean for the automotive market and consumers alike!
What Does The Number Plate Reveal About Your Car?
The number plate on your car is important, and surprisingly, isn’t just a bunch of random letters and numbers. Identifying a 2024 registration plate is simple once you know the format. Plates will show 74 for vehicles registered from September 2024 to March 2025, and ‘74’. This detail is key for determining a vehicle’s exact age.
| Year of Car Registration | Plate from March Onwards | Plate from September Onwards |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 20 | 70 |
| 2021 | 21 | 71 |
| 2022 | 22 | 72 |
| 2023 | 23 | 73 |
| 2024 | 24 | 74 |
| 2025 | 25 | 75 |
| 2026 | 26 | 76 |
| 2027 | 27 | 77 |
| 2028 | 28 | 78 |
| 2029 | 29 | 79 |
| 2030 | 30 | 80 |
Here’s what your number plate means:
The first two letters are called the ‘local memory tag’ which shows what part of the country the vehicle was first registered.
AA-AY - Anglia
BA-BY - Birmingham
CA-CY - Cymru (Wales)
DA-DY - Deeside to Shrewsbury
EA-EY - Essex
FA-FY - Forest and Fens (covering parts of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk)
GA-GY - Garden of England (Kent)
HA-HY - Hampshire and Dorset
HW - Isle of Wight
KA-KY -Borehamwood and Northampton
LA-LY - London
MA-MY - Manchester and Merseyside
NA-NY - North
OA-OY - Oxford
PA-PY - Preston
RA-RY - Reading
SA-SY - Scotland
VA-VY - Severn Valley (Shropshire)
WA-WY - West of England
YA-YB - Yorkshire
The next two numbers are the ‘age identifier’ which shows you when the car was registered and they change every six months. Therefore, if you see a car with 74, you know it was registered between September 2024 and February 2025.
The final three letters are randomly chosen and allocated to the car dealership once registered. These letters are used to differentiate cars from one another.
Why Is the Change in the Number Plate Important?
As mentioned earlier, the number plate change is important as it aids in identifying and tracking cars on the roads. However, the transition to the 74 number plate is also significant because, like the 24 plates, it reflects the evolution of the automotive industry. Each plate change presents an opportunity for manufacturers to release new models.
The industry is continually shifting from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles, so we can expect to see a considerable number of the new 74 plates on the road being electric!
Let’s take a closer look at how the plates are used to identify and track cars, and why this is important:
Age identification
The age is shown by the second two numbers on a number plate. This makes it easy to identify how old a car is just by looking at it.
Consistency and road compliance
Two number plate changes every year means the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) can comply with regulatory standards easily.
Car cloning
The twice-yearly change helps to prevent car cloning because it means the DVLA’s system is regularly updated, reducing the time window during which a cloned plate can be used without detection. As the plate changes, it becomes more challenging for criminals to use outdated or cloned plates on stolen vehicles.
Car value
New number plates indicate how much the car is worth just by looking at it because you can understand the age of the car instantly. Also, it gives people the opportunity to get a slightly older model for less.
How Do Registration Plates Influence The Car’s Value?
This topic is very important and was covered in our 24-plate blog. The new number plate has a big effect on a car’s value because while it may not directly influence the car’s intrinsic value, its introduction has a domino effect on the market.
Your current car will decrease in value when newer models with updated registration plates enter the market because it creates competition. This is made worse, if the model of your car has recently undergone improvements or enhancements because it could be categorised as in “runout status”, leading to a further decrease in value.
What Is The Effect Of The New Registration On The Market?
Car dealerships across the UK see a boost in sales in March and September as more people want to get the latest cars. According to GB News, 84,886 new vehicles were registered in February compared to 317,786 new vehicles in March 2024.
Data gathered by the SMMT showed new car registrations rose by 10.4% in the best March since 2019, marking the 20th consecutive month of growth. Here are some of the headline figures:
177,019 new petrol cars were registered, marking a 9.2% increase YoY (year-on-year),
23,312 new diesel cars registered, which was 2.7% fewer than March 2023,
44,550 hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) were registered, which was a YoY increase of 19.6%,
48,388 battery electric vehicles (BEV) were registered, a 3.8% increase YoY,
24,517 plug-in hybrid vehicles were registered which marked a 36.7% increase YoY.
The latest market data reveals a dynamic shift within the automotive industry. While petrol vehicles continue to dominate the market, the rise in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) registrations highlights a growing consumer preference for more environmentally friendly options. The substantial growth in plug-in hybrids indicates that consumers are increasingly embracing electrification, albeit gradually.
However, the slight decline in the market share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), despite record registration numbers, suggests that the transition to fully electric cars is still a work in progress. This underscores the importance of ongoing investment in EV infrastructure and incentives to encourage broader adoption. Overall, the data reflects a transitional phase in the automotive market, where hybrid technologies are gaining traction while the push for full electrification continues.
Benefits of Leasing a Vehicle With a 74-Number Plate
Leasing a vehicle with a 2024 plate offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it guarantees that the car includes the latest features and meets current environmental regulations. Furthermore, a newer registration plate can improve the vehicle’s resale value, as it is seen as more modern and appealing in the used car market.
When Is The Best Time To Lease a Car With a 74 Plate?
The ideal time to lease a vehicle with a 74-plate is as early as possible, allowing you to enjoy the latest model for an extended period before the next number plate is launched in September.
If you choose to salary sacrifice an EV, you could secure a 74-plate and save money by leasing it between March and September 2024. At The Electric Car Scheme, we have access to top leasing companies to help you secure a brand-new EV that will come with a 74 plate. Use our quote tool to find the electric car best suited to your needs.
Why Do Number Plates Get Banned?
Twice a year, the DVLA publishes a banned registration plate list which includes combinations of letters which can be interpreted to refer to politics, racism, crime or profanities. Carwow pulled a list of the best banned number plates, and the 4 in 74 seems to cause several problems because it looks similar to the letter “A.”
Combinations like, “FA74 NNY”, “SH74 TDD” and “BL74 WJB” have been banned. Alongside this, references to the war in Ukraine are also rightfully banned, examples include “EU74 WAR” and “FK74 RUS.” Some more combinations of banned number plates include: “RE74 RDZ”, “FF74 GTT”, “SH74 TED”, “EA4 POO.”
What Happens To The Good Number Plates?
The DVLA also considers combinations of letters and the new numbers that car buyers are likely to pay extra for, like nicknames, names, initials and specific words. These will then be auctioned off by the DVLA.
Some examples of these include: “EL74 LEN” (Ellen), “BA74 LDY” (Baldy"), “PA74 RTY” (Party). These will be available to auction and will start from £250.
What Are Green Number Plates?
Green number plates usually have a flash of green instead of black before the number and letter combinations begin and are indicative of electric and zero-emission vehicles. This is a cosmetic change and is entirely voluntary - you can choose to get rid of the green if you prefer. They were first introduced by the Transport Minister, Rachel Maclean, who said they were designed to raise awareness of electric cars.
Although hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles do use electric motors, they do produce emissions and therefore do not qualify for the flash of green!
What Does The New Number Plate Mean For Drivers?
The number plate change can affect the value of your car. While this isn’t directly tied to the 74 plates, it signals the availability of newer models on the market. As a result, if you have a 24-number plate, your car’s value may suddenly decrease. Therefore, if you’re thinking about selling your car, it might be wise to do so before the new registration plate is released, as your vehicle will then have to compete with newer models.
Here’s what the Marketing Director at The Electric Car Scheme, Gaurav Ahluwalia, had to say about the number plate changes as a self-proclaimed number plate enthusiast!
“Number plates are a cool way to customise your car, but the UK’s approach to frequent plate changes can be frustrating. A car that feels brand new on 30th August with a 24 plate can suddenly feel outdated on 1st September when the new plates are released, taking away from the fun and enjoyment of owning a car.”
Interested in leasing a car with a 74-number plate? You can lease a brand new electric car and save between 30-60% through salary sacrifice savings.
Switching to an electric car is one of the most significant ways you can make a positive change towards net zero. We want to make it cheaper and easier than any other option. Salary sacrifice makes this possible, allowing employees to save 30-60% on any electric car by reducing their salary in exchange for an electric car as a benefit. This makes electric cars an affordable option for everyone.
Every company in the UK can help their employees on their personal journey to net zero by offering The Electric Car Scheme as an employee benefit. For every business to offer electric car salary sacrifice, it has to be a 'no-brainer'. That’s why The Electric Car Scheme is at no cost to the employer to set up and run. As an employer, you are protected if the car needs to be returned early. And importantly, you run the scheme with no hassle, simple set-up, straightforward reporting, and 5* customer service.
Last updated: 04/09/24
