This content is out of date and scheduled to be removed.

New 68 plates: Everything you need to know

Image of James Kelly
Author: | Updated: 30 Aug 2018 11:03

A lot has changed since the arrival of the 18-plate during one of the coldest Marches on record – notably the weather – but also ‘road tax’ and emission tests for new cars. So, if you’re after a shiny new car with an even shinier new number plate, we’ve got you covered.

All you need to know about the new 68 plate

The registration system in the UK means that plate changes occur twice per year: once at the beginning of March, and once at the beginning of September. As such, we’ll be saying hello to the all-new 68 plate soon. Here’s what you need to know…

What does the plate actually mean?

What do number plates actually mean? (source: DVLA)

Hitting the road in 2001, the current number plate system isn’t the easiest to understand, but it can be reduced to three main components:

  • Two letters – these refer to the regional office where the number was issued (full list here) and are referred to as the ‘local memory tag’;
  • Two numbers – these tell you when it was issued (see table below);
  • Three random letters – when combined with the regional office letters, these give the DVLA an almost infinite amount of registration numbers.

How can you tell a car’s age?

18 plate Skoda Fabia

Every year two sets of numbers are used to give newly registered cars an age identifier and some are easier to understand than other. For example, 14 is the first plate of 2014, 18 is the first of 2018. But for the September registration, an additional number is added.

Here’s a table that’ll help you identify exactly when some recently registered cars hit the road, as well as what some future number plates will look like…

Registration Year Digits
2013 13/63
2014 14/64
2015 15/65
2016 16/66
2017 17/67
2018 18/68
2019 19/69
2025 25/75
2035 35/85
2045 45/95
2050 (final year for two-digit plates) 50/00

With its current system, the DVLA is unlikely to ever run out of number plate combinations, and will allow it to keep registering cars for another three decades, with the final plates being numbered 00 in September 2050.

How does the new tax rate affect 68 plates?

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you’ll probably be aware that from 1 April 2018 new diesel cars will face a first-year tax increase. It only applies to first-year VED rates; the subsequent set annual rate of £140 will not be changed.

The good news, however, is if you’re planning to lease, the car’s road tax is rolled into your monthly payment and is included in the agreement, usually for the duration of your contract, so you won’t have to worry about paying any extra directly.

CO2 (g/km) Pre-April 2018 first-year VED rate Post-April 2018 first-year VED rate
(for diesels not meeting real-world Euro 6 standards)
1 - 50 £10 £25
51 - 75 £25 £105
76 - 90 £100 £125
91 - 100 £120 £145
101 - 110 £140 £165
111 - 130 £160 £205
131 - 150 £200 £515
151 - 170 £500 £830
171 - 190 £800 £1,240
191 - 225 £1,200 £1,760
226 - 255 £1,700 £2,070
Over 225 £2,000 £2,070

However, it is worth noting that if VED increases during your lease agreement, you might be liable to pay the amount of the increase – it’s always worth checking your contract.

Will the 68 plate be affected by WLTP?

If you’re waiting for the 68 plate to arrive, you might be affected by the upcoming deadline for the Worldwide Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which comes into effect 1 September.

Exhaust emissions

WLTP is the new emissions test that replaces the outgoing NEDC regime and it means that manufacturers have been obliged to retest derivatives of every model to ensure they meet the new legislation. If you have your heart set on a car that’s yet to be tested or needs to be redeveloped, you might find you’ll be waiting a while.

On the flip side, the impending September 1 deadline means that dealers have lots of 18-plate cars that were tested under NEDC regulations in stock and available at great prices. You can find thousands of in-stock deals by clicking here.

Which 68 plates will be banned?

With every new number plate comes a unique problem – the DVLA needs to ensure that no really offensive number plates can make it onto the road. The decision is made by the DVLA's Propriety Group, which sits down every year to decide which plates should be vetoed.

Some are just common sense. For example, no car with the letters ‘BUM’ or ‘SEX’ ever make it on to a vehicle. The DVLA is yet to reveal its 68 naughty list, but while we’re waiting, here’s some samples of the 18 plates that will never see the light of day…

banned2

banned1

banned4

A DVLA spokesperson said: “Many people enjoy displaying a personalised registration number and the vast majority of numbers are made available.  Where they are likely to cause general offence or embarrassment if displayed on a number plate, registration numbers are withheld”.

Fancy a personalised 68 plate?

Want to personalise your factory-fresh 2018 car? Well it’s actually possible to buy 68 plate registrations directly from the DVLA – an increasingly popular way of adding that extra personal touch. So popular that, according to figures from the DVLA, personalised plates generated £162m for the Treasury during the last financial year.

If you fancy indulging a little on the perfect personal touch, here’s some brand-new personal (and rather expensive) plates that the 18 plate will offer up…

SPEEDY

Khan

JA68UAR

They could cost you though – it’s little wonder than the DVLA has started holding back certain plates, with some registrations selling for more than £50,000 at auction.

Ready for a new car?

However nice having a newly registered vehicle is, if you already have your heart set on a car and don’t want to wait, you can check out thousands of in-stock deals from our partner dealers and brokers that are available right now by clicking here.

Previous Post Next Post
Not sure what car you want?
  • Easy-to-use tool
  • Save time and money
  • Meet your match
Find your dream car