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Bevel26 Plates Released March 2026: What You Need to Know
On 1 March 2026, the DVLA began issuing the new 26 plates for all new vehicles registered in Great Britain. The 26 plate will be used until 31 August 2026, when it will be replaced by the 76 plate for the second half of the year.
The 26 plate format follows the pattern introduced in 2001: two letters indicating the local DVLA registration area, followed by “26”, and three random letters (e.g., AB26 XYZ). This applies to all cars, vans and motorcycles registered between 1 March and 31 August 2026.
What makes the 2026 release notable is the scale of DVLA bans. The agency has withheld over 400 combinations from the 26 series, citing concerns over offensive, inappropriate or potentially dangerous content. Plates referencing conflict zones, war, violence, religion, racism, homophobia and crude slang have all been removed.
If your vehicle has a 26 registration and you need replacement plates — whether due to damage, fading, loss, or simply to upgrade to premium styles like 3D gel or 4D acrylic — we can help. As a DVLA-registered manufacturer (RNPS ID: 73132), we produce BS AU 145e-compliant plates from our Ilford workshop.
What Are 26 Number Plates?
26 number plates are the registration plates issued to vehicles first registered between 1 March 2026 and 31 August 2026. The “26” is the age identifier, indicating the vehicle was first registered in the first half of 2026.
The UK number plate system changes every six months. From 1 September 2026, new vehicles will receive a 76 plate — the age identifier for the second half of the year (2026 + 50 = 76).
The 26 Plate Format
The 26 plate follows the current UK number plate format, introduced in 2001.
| Component | Description | Example |
| First two letters | Local DVLA registration area (e.g., AB for Anglia, BD for Birmingham) | AB |
| Age identifier | Two digits indicating the registration period (26 = March-August 2026) | 26 |
| Last three letters | Randomly assigned | XYZ |
Full example: AB26 XYZ — a vehicle registered in the Anglia region between March and August 2026.
The front plate must display black characters on a white background, while the rear plate must display black characters on a yellow background.
When Were 26 Plates Released?
The 26 plates were released on 1 March 2026. They apply to all new vehicles registered from that date until 31 August 2026. The next release, the 76 plates, will arrive on 1 September 2026.
This twice-yearly cycle has been in place since 2001, with March releases using the year number (e.g., 20 in 2020, 21 in 2021, 26 in 2026) and September releases adding 50 (e.g., 70 in 2020, 71 in 2021, 76 in 2026).
Banned 26 Plates: What the DVLA Has Withheld
Each year, the DVLA withholds registration combinations deemed offensive or inappropriate. For the 2026 series, the DVLA has banned 403 combinations.
The DVLA reviews all new number plate combinations twice yearly and withholds those that may constitute insults, profanities, sexual innuendos, drug references, or content with racist, sexist or LGBTQ+ implications, in addition to certain political and religious allusions.
Notable banned 26 plates include:
| Banned Plate | Reason |
| RU26 RUS, RU26 UKR | References to Russia-Ukraine conflict |
| YE26 MEN | References to Yemen conflict |
| GA26 AZA | References to Gaza conflict |
| MU26 GER | Resembles “mugger” |
| BA26 OMB | Resembles “bomb” |
| JE26 HAD | Resembles “jihad” |
| AN26 US, AN26 HOL | Offensive interpretations |
| BJ26 AGG, BJ26 STD | Offensive interpretations |
| HH26 WAR, TE26 ROR, GO26 WAR | References to war |
| TR26 NNY, LE26 ZER, FA26 OTT | Offensive interpretations |
| FU26 KER, AS26 HOL, SC26 TUM | Offensive/crude slang |
| AA26 NUS, DO26 GGER | Resemble rude words |
| JU26 ANG | Resembles “gang” |
| GA26 GAY, LE26 ZRS | Sexual orientation references |
| NO26 RUS, UK26 RUS, NO26 UKR, UK26 UKR, YE26 RUS, YE26 UKR | Russia-Ukraine conflict references |
| B26 OMB, C26 ASH, AA26 NUS, AA26 ORT, AA26 RSE, AA26 USE, AA26 YAN, AA26 YPO, AF26 NNY, AN26 NUS, AS26 FKU, AS26 FUL, AS26 FWC, AS26 HLE, AS26 HOL, AS26 OLE, BA26 AYS, BA26 AYY, BA26 AZA, BA26 OMB, BJ26 AGG, BJ26 AGS | Various offensive interpretations |
The Penalty for Illegal Number Plates
Drivers who display illegal or non-compliant number plates face fines of up to £1,000. In 2020, police stopped 13,720 drivers for having illegal number plates.
Common violations that can lead to fines include:
- Wrong font — plates must use the Charles Wright 2001 typeface
- Incorrect spacing — altering spacing to make the plate spell a word or name is illegal
- Wrong size or layout — different sizes apply for cars, motorcycles and other vehicles
- Non-rectangular plates — custom shapes can make a plate illegal
Additionally, plates that are non-reflective or fail the BS AU 145e standard can cause MOT failure and enforcement action.
Can I Get Replacement 26 Plates?
Yes — if your vehicle has a 26 registration and you need replacement plates, we can manufacture them for you. Common reasons for replacement include:
- Damage — cracked, chipped or broken plates
- Fading — plates that have become difficult to read
- Loss or theft — stolen or missing plates
- Upgrade — replacing standard dealer-fit plates with premium options (3D gel, 4D acrylic, 5D, bevel or ghost)
As a DVLA-registered supplier (RNPS ID: 73132), we manufacture every plate on-site in our Ilford workshop using BS AU 145e-certified materials. All plates are fully road-legal and MOT-compliant.
Premium Replacement Options for 26 Plates
If you want to upgrade your 26 plates, we offer a full range of premium styles:
| Style | Description | Key Feature |
| Standard 2D | Flat printed characters | Affordable, legal, classic |
| 3D Gel | Raised, domed resin characters | Glossy, UV-cured, premium look |
| 4D Laser-Cut | 3mm acrylic characters | Sharp, bold, shadow effect |
| 5D | 3mm acrylic + 2mm gel overlay | Maximum depth and gloss |
| Bevel | Diamond-cut faceted edges | Light-catching sparkle |
| Ghost | Subtle gradient effect | Distinctive, modern styling |
| EV Green Flash | Green panel for zero-emission vehicles | Required for eligible EVs |
All our plates are manufactured to BS AU 145e:2018 standards, ensuring they pass MOT and remain readable by ANPR cameras.
(add 3D Gel Number Plates link here) (add 4D Laser-Cut Number Plates link here) (add 5D Number Plates link here) (add Bevel Number Plates link here)
Legal Requirements for 26 Replacement Plates
Under the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, every replacement number plate must meet specific requirements:
| Requirement | Specification |
| Font | Charles Wright (mandatory since 2001) |
| Character height | 79mm (cars), 64mm (motorcycles) |
| Character width | 50mm (excluding ‘I’ and ‘1’) |
| Stroke thickness | 14mm |
| Character spacing | 11mm between characters |
| Age identifier gap | 33mm |
| Margins | 11mm minimum |
| Reflectivity | BS AU 145e standard |
| Supplier markings | RNPS ID and postcode |
As a DVLA-registered manufacturer, we include mandatory supplier markings on every plate we produce.
How to Order Replacement 26 Plates
Ordering replacement 26 plates is simple:
- Choose your style — Select from standard, 3D gel, 4D, 5D, bevel, ghost or EV options.
- Design your plate — Use our online plate builder to preview your design.
- Upload documents — Provide proof of identity (driving licence or passport) and proof of entitlement (V5C logbook, V750 or V778).
- Complete checkout — Order by 2pm Monday-Friday for same-day dispatch.
We offer next-day UK delivery and same-day collection from our Ilford workshop (order by 2pm, collect within 3 hours).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 26 number plate?
A 26 number plate is a registration plate issued to vehicles first registered between 1 March 2026 and 31 August 2026. The “26” indicates the vehicle was registered in the first half of 2026.
When did 26 plates come out?
The 26 plates were released on 1 March 2026.
Are 26 plates still valid?
Yes — 26 plates are valid for vehicles registered between 1 March 2026 and 31 August 2026. They will be replaced by 76 plates for vehicles registered from 1 September 2026.
How many 26 plates did the DVLA ban?
The DVLA banned 403 combinations from the 26 series.
Can I get replacement 26 plates?
Yes — we manufacture replacement plates for 26 registrations. All plates are BS AU 145e-compliant and fully road-legal.
How much do replacement 26 plates cost?
Prices start from £12.49 per plate for standard 2D plates, with premium options (3D gel, 4D, 5D, bevel, ghost) available from £19.95.
What documents do I need for replacement 26 plates?
You need proof of identity (driving licence or passport) and proof of entitlement (V5C logbook, V750 or V778).
Are 3D or 4D replacement plates legal for 26 registrations?
Yes — 3D gel and 4D acrylic plates are fully legal when manufactured to BS AU 145e standards with the correct font and spacing.