September is just around the corner – which means darker mornings, chillier days, and an official end to summer.
Not to mention the launch of the new '73 registration plate . . .
But even if you're not getting a car that will have it or you're not too fussed about getting one, it's still worth knowing how the country's number plate system works and what the numbers mean.
Especially since the arrival of a new number plate on the market can often have an (indirect) impact on the value of your car.
What Year Is the DVLA '73 plate?
The ’73 plate is for use on cars registered between September 1st, 2023 and the end of February 2024. Vehicles registered before that time period will display the '23 reg plate instead, which was released in March 2023.
What’s the Release Date For the DVLA ’73 Plate?
As mentioned, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is going to release the '73 plate on September 1st, 2023.
It's the same date every year for the launch of new September plates.
Why Does My Car Have a Number Plate?
Mainly to give it some form of unique identification so that it can be linked to the registered keeper (in other words, you), and also to simply indicate that it is legal.
What Information Can You Get From a UK Number Plate?
They usually allow you to determine how old a certain car is and where it was first registered.
What Information Can You Get From a UK Number Plate?
They are good age identifiers, as they normally allow you to determine how old a certain car is and where it was first registered.
How Do the DVLA '73 Number Plates Work?
The digits on a number plate correspond to the final two digits of the year, increased by 50. For example, for a 2024, the plate will read ’74, because 24 + 50 = 74.
Whereas for number plates released in the March of each year, the registration year is indicated by the numbers directly rather than having the + 50 rule. So for March 2027, the reg plate would directly contain the numbers '27'.
Cars taken out or driven after the year 2001 are all assigned a registration plate following this format:
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2 numbers to represent the year of registration
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3 random letters
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2 letters to indicate the region of registration (one for the specific office and one for the general area)
How Do '73 Plates Influence Car Value?
Usually negatively, especially if you have an older car.
That's not so much because of the '73 plates themselves, but instead it's because they signify that there's new vehicles coming onto the market which will drive prices down on the cars that came before them.
So if you're ever thinking about leasing a car or selling one that you own, it's always best to do so prior to the release of a new number plate (March and September). The more models that a car has to be compete against, the less it's going to be worth.
Where Can I Get DVLA ’73 plates?
On a new car that you buy or lease after this September, for a start.
But that doesn't always have to be the case, and in fact, it's possible to get hold of one without having a car at all.
All you need to do is order one online from the gov.uk website and keep it on a retention certificate.
However, this is a service that's mainly made use of by drivers looking to log personalised registration plates, meaning you're unlikely to encounter a ’73 plate which doesn't indicate the vehicle’s age.
Summary
If you didn't already know about the '73 plate and how it might affect you, then you do now!
Until next year . . .