DVLA set to make major number plate change on Tuesday due to big October update

The DVLA is set to make major changes to number plate rules this week, with new updates set to come into effect on Tuesday. Officials have confirmed that new Prefix registrations will launch this week, with dozens of new plates available to buy.

Prefix plates were in use across the UK between 1983 and 2001, having been phased out for the current system 24 years ago. The first letter indicates the vehicle’s age in Prefix plates, a slight change from the number-based system used today. New Prefix registrations are released periodically, making Tuesday’s release even more important for petrolheads looking for something different.

Prefix registrations featuring letters between A and H, paired with the numbers 27, 28 or 29 will be released this week.

The DVLA said: “Thousands of new prefix registrations will be made available to buy direct from our website at 10am on Tuesday 7th October 2025.

“In the meantime, you can search all of these new registrations here. Prices will start from £250, all prices include VAT and the £80 assignment fee.”

It's understood that Prefix plates are among one of the most popular personalised registration formats. They are likely to be popular among owners of older vehicles, classic cars, or those born during the period when prefix plates were originally used.

The letter corresponds to a particular year with a Prefix plate beginning with ‘G’ suggesting the car was first registered in August 1989. The DVLA said its auctions offer “distinctive dateless, current and older style registrations” for road users to enjoy.

Motorists excited by the latest release can search through the new combinations on the DVLA website before sales open.

They said: “Search for a name or word, or select the letters and numbers that can be used in these registrations.”

The DVLA pricing structure says that registrations containing the letter A are valued at £599, whilst those featuring C or H letters will be priced at £499. D-prefix number plates are a bit more, priced at around £699. However, B-prefix plates are the most expensive at around £799.