Check your Number Plates

[Our Gee]

Now that Brexit is more or less a done deal one of the things to watch our for is ensuring that our UK vehicle registration plates are compliant with the new rules.
It will be no longer legal to rely on the "Euro" style plate. That's the one with the circle of stars above the GB letters. In fact from 1st January 2021 it will not be allowed to manufacture or fit this Euro style of plate, however for those of us with the Euro plate already fitted this will be allowed with the addition of a separate "GB" sticker. (More Expense  !!!).

[David.]

Spot on, have added this to the Brexit thread, thank you.

[beemerboy9]

with the addition of a separate "GB" sticker. (More Expense  !!!). 

Re: More Expense  !!!

OMG! £1.49 for two off eBlag.

[Casbar]

Phew that is lucky, I've still got one from before we could use Euro plates and had to display a GB sticker, another worry over  8)

[burridge01]

Re: More Expense  !!!

OMG! £1.49 for two off eBlag.

It's the drama that gets you.

[simbo]

Re: More Expense  !!!

OMG! £1.49 for two off eBlag.

That's before David's rang every supplier in the country for the best price, we'll be getting 10 for £1.49 by the time he's wrangled us the best deal 

[David.]

How about £1.99 for 4, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Britain- ... B074QS2MZM

Each sticker measures 75mm x 45mm, probably a good size for motorcycles.

Looks like these do not comply with the minimum size requirements, see page 46, https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/c ... t1968e.pdf

"The letters shall have a height of at least 80 mm and their strokes a width of at least 10 mm.
The letters shall be painted in black on a white ground having the shape of an ellipse with the major axis horizontal.

On motor cycles, the dimensions of the axes of the ellipse shall be at least 175 mm and 115 mm."

These would comply with the above sizes, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stickers-Adhes ... B074JDSMMR

[David.]

If the current number plate displays the European symbol and GB national identifier, see page 11, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 160914.pdf
The symbol must be at least 98 mm tall and between 40 mm and 50 mm wide.

With this in mind, the size of the now required GB sticker does seem excessive.

[Sharkfighter]

David the leaflet you were referring to explains the size of the blue EU sticker not the GB. The latest leaflet only mentions max size, dated 1 Jan 21
“[size=78%]You still need a GB sticker when travelling in Europe if you display one of these national flags and identifiers. The flag must be above the identifier. You can’t have the flag or letters on the number plate margin, and neither can be more than 50 millimetres wide.[/size]
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, it is recommended that you display a GB sticker on the rear of your vehicle, irrespective of whether you currently have a number plate which includes the GB identifier.”
So reading that if you have GB on your number plate you have to display a separate GB sticker.

[David.]

DVLA INF104 Vehicle Services, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... inf104.pdf, see page 11.

08. National flags on number plates

"You can display one of the following flags with identifying letters on the left-hand side of the number plate".

"You can’t have the flag or letters on the number plate margin".

This seems to be a contradiction by the DVLA. Does this mean if you currently have a Euro style number plate with the EU flag (ring of 12 stars) above a GB identifier, you need a new number plate.

The DVLA leaflet does not give guidance on the size of the separate "recommended" GB sticker.

[Sharkfighter]

I have to agree with you David I’ve re-read it and it’s as clear as mud! It only stipulates that you need a GB sticker at the rear of the vehicle, no mention of the EU style number plates and whether you can have them or not. Fortunately for me mine is a sticker that I put on the number plate so can be peeled off and it is not the EU flag. I’m off to the Dolomites in June so I may chance my arm and leave it, it is a GB sticker all said and done.

[David.]

As you have quoted, "Following the UK’s exit from the EU, it is recommended that you display a GB sticker on the rear of your vehicle, irrespective of whether you currently have a number plate which includes the GB identifier."

This says you can have an identifier on your number plate. I won't be buying a new number plate, just need to know what size GB sticker is acceptable.

[Sharkfighter]

My GB is tiny compared to most that I’ve seen and to be honest if you get stopped abroad because the GB is small is petty, at least you’re displaying one.  I’ve seen plenty of east European cars driving around without country identifiers or EU plates.

[Dilly]

Has this come from EU or UK ? If it is from the UK they can go whistle

[David.]

The advice would seem to be from the UK for travelling in EU, https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-pl ... dentifiers

Using the GOV.UK Brexit checker has come up with this.

"Put a GB sticker on the back of your vehicle if it's registered in the UK, even if your number plate already shows GB with a Euro symbol

You could get a fine if you do not have a GB sticker when you need one."