Britons heading abroad warned to follow strict licence plate rules or could be fined

If found travelling without one, drivers could be fined a minimum of £120 by the police or local authorities.

Notably, drivers do not need a UK sticker if the number plate has the UK identifier with the Union flag on it.

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A Spokesperson from Motor Match explained that UK drivers going abroad need to ensure they are “fully prepared” with the required equipment when driving in Europe.

Items such as a warning triangle, a high-visibility jacket, and a first aid kit are some of the essential items that drivers need to travel with.

Also, on the list is a magnetic UK sticker, the spokesperson stated. Britons need to display a UK sticker clearly on their vehicle.

This sticker could be a GB identifier with the Union Flag, a Euro symbol or a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales.

Since leaving the EU in 2016, drivers with the ''GB' sticker have been urged to cover or remove it before driving outside the UK.

On September 28, 2021, UK stickers officially replaced 'GB' stickers. If a vehicle still has a 'GB' sticker, they will need to change it to a 'UK' sticker before travelling in Europe.

Those driving in Spain, Cyprus and Malta, will always need a UK sticker, no matter what’s on the number plate.

The ‘UK’ sticker or magnet can be purchased online for as little as £1.50 at Post Offices and in garages and cannot have the flag or letters on the number plate margin or be more than 50 millimetres wide.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said that changing the national identifier from GB to UK “symbolises our unity as a nation and is part of a wider move towards using the UK signifier across Government”.

The person added: “Discussions were held with representatives of the number plate manufacturers and stakeholders were notified of the change when the notification was deposited with the UN, providing a three-month notice period before the changes come into force.”

Number plates in the UK must meet certain requirements. They must be made from a reflective material with the front plate displayed in black characters on a white background.

The rear plate must display black characters on a yellow background and the lettering must be in the Charles Wright 2001 typeface.

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Letters for cars, vans and trucks need to be 11mm spaced with a height of 79mm, and a width of 44 mm.

Meanwhile, letters for motorbikes, scooters and motor tricycles, must have 10mm spacing, a height of 64mm and a width of 44mm.