In 1983 the suffix plates ran out and so the system was reversed to the prefix system. Prefix registrations are combinations with the age identifier (year letter) at the beginning of the registration e.g. A999 PAT, (excluding I,O,Q, U and Z), followed by 1, 2, or 3 numbers and the 3 letters (again excluding the letters I,Q, or Z).
In March 1999 the system changed yet again to twice yearly releases to prevent the annual rush of purchasing new vehicle once a year in August.
| Age Identifier (Prefix) | Registration Date |
| A | 1 August 1983 - 31 July 1984 |
| B | 1 August 1984 - 31 July 1985 |
| C | 1 August 1985 - 31 July 1986 |
| D | 1 August 1985 - 31 July 1986 |
| E | 1 August 1987 - 31 July 1988 |
| F | 1 August 1988 - 31 July 1989 |
| G | 1 August 1989 - 31 July 1990 |
| H | 1 August 1990 - 31 July 1991 |
| J | 1 August 1991 - 31 July 1992 |
| K | 1 August 1992 - 31 July 1993 |
| L | 1 August 1993 - 31 July 1994 |
| M | 1 August 1994 - 31 July 1995 |
| N | 1 August 1995 - 31 July 1996 |
| P | 1 August 1996 - 31 July 1997 |
| R | 1 August 1997 - 31 July 1998 |
| S | 1 August 1998 - 28 February 1999 |
| T | 1 March 1999 - 31 August 1999 |
| V | 1 September 1999 - 29 February 2000 |
| W | 1 March 2000 - 31 August 2000 |
| X | 1 September 2000 - 28 February 2001 |
| Y | 1 March 2001 - 31 August 2001 |