September 2001 – present
Current style number plates
Two area-code letters, a two-digit age identifier and three random letters. Issued from September 2001 onwards.
Structure
Two area-code letters, two digits (the age identifier) and three random letters. Example: AB24 CDE.
Year identifier
The two digits reveal the year and half-year of issue. Numbers 02–49 = March–August of that year; 51–99 = September–February (year = digit − 50).
Buying and pricing
Current-style plates are the cheapest to buy. Most value comes from three-letter combinations that spell names or brands.