Vehicle National Identifier When Driving In Europe.

Are you aware of the new laws regarding national identifiers on number plates?

Since we have left the European Union there have been many changes to rules and regulations that we have to live our lives by. Most of them go on in the background and we are blissfully unaware of them unless they impact on us directly. 

With the current COVID pandemic, our travels have been restricted and for the 2021 caravaning season most of us have kept our travels within our national borders. Hopefully, 2022 will enable the return of travel through Europe again, though now we will be doing so as ‘None Europeans’ (not as residents of the European Union). For more detailed information on traveling in Europe since Brexit please read the post traveling to Europe now we are out of the EU. 

In this post, I specifically want to draw your attention to the fact that the requirements for a national identifier of your vehicles has changed! In Europe, the GB plate is no longer recognised and has to be replaced by a new UK national identifier. 

Here is an extract from the UK Government’s website:

Driving outside the UK

If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack), you do not need a UK sticker.

However, you will need to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following:

  • GB identifier with the Union flag
  • a Euro symbol
  • a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
  • numbers and letters only – no flag or identifier

If you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate.

If you have a GB sticker, cover or remove it before driving outside the UK.

You do not need a UK sticker or number plate to drive in Ireland.

The above text is quite clear and self-explanatory. I have set in bold the one aspect that might escape your attention, that is if you intend to take your car and caravan to Spain (Cyprus or Malta) irrespective of what you have on your number plates, and that includes the new UK identifier, you must also have a UK identifier sticker on the back of your car and caravan! 

The new UK identifiers for number plates and stickers are easily and cheaply available via such sources as Amazon and eBay. Please don’t get caught out! Remember it applies to your caravan as well as your car! 

Happy travels with your car and Eriba in Europe in 2022! 

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