Suffix plates · 1963 to 1983
What year is an L suffix plate?
A plate ending with L (like ABC 123L) was issued from 1 August 1972 to 31 July 1973. Checked 10 November 2026.
1 August 1972 to 31 July 1973
The letters either side
Every suffix letter
The first plates to show a car's age put a year letter at the end. Until 1967 each letter ran for a calendar year; from August 1967 each ran from August to July.
Questions
Questions
What year is an L suffix plate?
A plate ending with L (like ABC 123L) was issued from 1 August 1972 to 31 July 1973.
Is my car a classic?
A car built more than 40 years ago can move to the historic vehicle tax class (no road tax to pay) and stop needing an MOT, as long as it hasn't been substantially changed. The cut-off rolls forward every April.
Can I keep an old plate on a newer car?
Yes: a dateless or older plate can go on a newer car, because it makes the car look older, not younger. It can't go the other way.
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