What Car? Q&A - When do 06 registrations begin?

Q: Please could you confirm the date from which 06 registration plates start? Is it March 1 or April 1?
Adam Sommerville

A: The 06 registration is introduced on the March 1, followed by 56 plates on September 1. These age identifiers increase by one each year up to 2049 when the 49 and 99 registrations will be introduced. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency hasn't yet decided what to do next.

If you wait for the new plates to become established for a little while, you might get a better price on the car you're considering. Showrooms are busier when a new plate has been introduced, so dealers may discount less, particularly if you let them know you're desperate for a car with the new registration.