1) Overview: What’s Changing in October 2025
Each September/October, the UK moves into a new registration period. For 2025, the first-registered vehicles from 1 September 2025 carry the "75" age identifier through to February 2026. Apart from this, October brings new batches of personalised and prefix registrations released under fixed-price sales and auctions, along with renewed focus on enforcement and compliance against illegal and cloned plates.
In brief: 75-series plates on all new cars; new prefix/personalised stock to order; stricter enforcement of spacing, fonts, reflectivity, and cloning.
2) Age Identifiers: How the “75” Plate Works
Modern UK registrations employ an age-identifier system changing every six months:
March–August: "25" (for 2025)
September–February: "75" (for 2025/26)
The identifier is positioned half-way in the design (e.g., AB75 CDE). It will not limit your choice in personalising the rest of the plate, but it pin down the age of registration. To those who are buying recent series for resale glasses or for prestige, September is the best time.
3) October Releases & DVLA Auctions
DVLA typically launches new batches of personalised/prefix numbers in early October. These include desirable letter-number pairs at fixed prices and through auctions.
Auctions operation
Sign up on the official DVLA registrations site.
Explore upcoming lots; set alerts on your chosen prefixes.
Bid live or input maximum proxy bids; add buyer's premium & assignment fee.
On success, receive entitlement documents to transfer onto your vehicle.
Costs to anticipate
Entry values of a few hundred pounds for ordinary prefixes.
Special letter sequences (short, name-like) can reach four/five figures.
Do not include the £80 assignment fee and any auction premiums.
Advice when purchasing: Shortlist candidates. Popular initials or name-plates sell rapidly; have spares to avoid overbidding.
4) Legal Display Rules (Font, Spacing, Materials)
To remain legal (and your MOT intact), follow the DVLA display rules:
Requirement What's Legal Common Mistakes
Font Charles Wright (mandatory) Stylised/italic fonts, fancy scripts
Spacing & Layout
Accurate character spacing; not re-spaced to form words
Space moved to form names, squeezing characters
Colours
White on front, yellow at rear; black lettering
Tinted plates, coloured lettering
Material
Reflective plate with BS mark
Non-reflective, peeling/damaged plates
Flags & Identifiers
Optional UK flag/identifier within DVLA specifications
Large stickers, non-standard logos
Supplier Mark
Compulsory presence of supplier & BS number
Absent or counterfeit supplier marks
MOT note: Non-standard plates can result in an MOT failure or advisory; repair prior to retest to avoid further expense.
5) Offending/Forbidden Plates: What Not to Do
DVLA rejects registrations which are offensive, misleading or security-sensitive. The showing of a forbidden or altered plate can cost up to £1,000 fines, MOT failure and police action.
Typical ban reasons
Sexual or explicit references
Hate speech, extreme/political abuse
Deceptive "police/ambulance" lookalikes
References to recent tragedies or sensitive incidents
Check before buying
Search on DVLA website; most filtered plates never become available for purchase
Use caution with re-spacing that can result in an unintentional insult
Avoid substitutions (bolts/decals) to replicate forbidden words
If uncertain
Ask for a compliance check from a licensed seller
Take screenshots of checks when purchasing re-sales
Retain entitlement documents as proof of legitimacy
Infographic placeholder: forbidden subjects
6) Enforcement, Fines & MOT
Police and ANPR cameras scour plates on a regular basis. Crimes can lead to:
On-the-spot notices to get illegal plates replaced
Fines up to £1,000 for non-compliant use
MOT failure or refusal until resolved
Seizure in serious cloning/fraud cases
Don't take the risk: Respaced or stylised plates are fashionable, but they grab the attention of cameras and officers—and invalidate insurance claims in case of suspected fraud.
7) Cloning & ANPR: Stay Safe
Plate cloning—making a legitimate registration on another vehicle—is on the rise with camera-covered areas. Protect yourself:
Purchase from DVLA-approved vendors (ID + entitlement required).
Keep clear photos of your vehicle with plates intact and readable.
Report unusual fines or notifications from unfamiliar locations—suggest cloning.
Consider secure parking and avoid sharing high-res plate photos online.
Use sturdy, legal fixings; avoid rapid-release novelty plates.
8) Travel Angle: Rentals & Cross-Border Driving
UK rental cars (tourists & business visitors)
Legitimate rental fleets use fully authorized plates; verify upon pickup.
Report damaged or non-reflective plates before leaving the lot.
If fined for a camera somewhere you did not go, phone the rental and police—probably cloning.
Vanlife & road trips
Delivery in September has "75" plates—good for resale optics on motorhomes.
Green EV flash (where legal) assists with incentives/parking (rules locally).
Cross-border (UK → Ireland/EU)
Bring V5C/certified copy; ensure UK identifier/flag is correct if produced.
Non-standard plates cause border delay or fine—stay within legal spec.
ANPR abroad may reject stylised characters; avoid any spacing tricks.
Returning expats
On re-registration, ensure your personalised plate is properly retained/assigned.
Check insurance/AA cover for plate disputes while abroad.
Image placeholder: rentals & cross-border
9) How to Buy, Assign & Retain Plates (V5C, V750, V778)
Buying
From DVLA (fixed price/auction) or reputable brokers.
Verify entitlement documents before payment.
Assigning to your vehicle
You’ll need your V5C (log book) & insurance in place.
Order online or by post; fit physical plates once assignment confirmed.
Keeping for the future
Use V750 (certificate of entitlement) or V778 (retention).
Keep expiry dates alive with timely renewals.
Form Purpose When you'll need it
V5C Vehicle log book Directing a plate to a specific vehicle
V750 Certificate of entitlement Purchasing a new personalised mark
V778 Retention document Holding a plate off-vehicle for the future
Pro tip: Don't fit physical plates until DVLA confirms assignment—fitting in advance will result in ANPR mismatches and fines.
10) Compliance Checklist (Quick Scan)
✅ Appropriate series for your date of registration (e.g., 75 from Sep 2025)
✅ Charles Wright typeface, legal spacing, reflective finish
✅ Supplier name & BS number on plate
✅ No tinted covers, bolts warping characters, or decals
✅ Prohibited/offensive words omitted (including via spacing gimmicks)
✅ V5C/V750/V778 documents current & within reach
✅ If hire: photographed condition upon pick-up & drop-off
✅ For EU visits: take docs & follow usual display
11) FAQs
What if my plate fails MOT due to spacing?
You will be issued with fail or advisory. Repair the plate to legal spacing/font and come back for retest. Habitual infringement may result in fines of up to £1,000.
Can I keep my personalised plate when I sell my vehicle?
Yes—place it on retention (V778) before sale. Then transfer it to your new vehicle when needed.
Are green flashes still allowed for EVs?
Yes, to DVLA standards. They should be aligned correctly and not cover characters or readability.
Are plate rules something foreign visitors need to worry about?
If you're renting a UK-plated car, it's the responsibility of the hire company, but you should check plates on pick-up and note any damage at the time.
How do I identify a cloned plate on my car?
Unexplained fines from nowhere, overnight congestion charges, or police letters are warning signs. Report to police and DVLA with evidence.