Military Vehicle Number Plates

Since 1949, British military vehicle registration numbers have taken one of two forms. The first had two numbers followed by two letters and ending in two numbers (12 AB 34) and the second, from 1995 onwards, has two letters, two digits and two letters (AB 12 CD).

Before 1982, the central two letters signified the branch of the armed forces or category of vehicle. Military number plates are still made up of the silver on black scheme used for civilian plates before 1973, and can be presented in one, two or three rows of characters.

From 1963 until around 1990, private vehicles owned by members of British Forces in Germany and/or their families were issued registration numbers in the unique format of two or three letters followed by two or three numbers and then a "B" suffix (AQQ 89 B). This was discontinued for security reasons, as it made them vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Private vehicles driven by British military personnel are now usually issued with standard UK number plates.