GB stickers and numberplates

I can’t get to the full article as it’s behind a paywall, but here’s the summary:

“From September, motorists can no longer display “GB” on number plates or stickers while driving outside the UK. It marks the second change this year after Grant Shapps announced a new style of number plate on the first anniversary of Brexit on Jan 31, featuring GB under the Union flag.”

I’m particularly miffed, having bought a new vehicle with the new style of numberplate announced only in January this year. At the time the Transport Minister promised that it would not be necessary to use a GB sticker when travelling in Europe. But now, just 5 months later, with zero notice and for no obvious reason, the government has notified the UN that it is changing our international vehicle registration code from GB to UK in September. FFS! Yet another arbitrary thing that nobody voted for. I guess some people will have stock of GB stickers that are now worthless. And everyone will need a UK sticker to travel abroad. Or another set of numberplates.

I believe that what is behind it is emphasising to the EU that Northern Ireland is still part of the UK.  

The use of GB stickers, especially for those in the NI, has long been inaccurate and inappropriate.

It's hardly going to cause huge expense - I bought some of these last year to cover the now inappropriate EU symbol on my number-plates,  I have no doubt that UK versions will be available very soon to replace the GB ones and at £1.59 or so a pair shouldn't break the bank.

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No need to get unduly concerned.  I've toured Europe from Norway to Portugal over 40 years without ever displaying a GB sign, with no ill effect.  Our CYM sign seems to satisfy. 

cymro

PLOUGHLIN wrote:You will only need to display a "UK" sticker if it doesn't already appear on your number plates, no need to change plates.

But haven't the plates that have already been fitted to vehicles had "GB" on them rather than "UK"?

Mine has SCO and European flags, I believe original owner travelled widely in Europe, once again no GB sticker present 

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If anyone will be interested in this change, it will be the French police. They love issuing tickets to Brits nowadays.

Bilbobaggins wrote:Mine has SCO and European flags, I believe original owner travelled widely in Europe, once again no GB sticker present 


But it does show the EU Flag which is acceptable.


We can all have a rant about this and in the end all you have to do is buy a cheap sticker over the existing GB.


But what about the rest of the folks out there.


Motorhomes cars HGVs total over 38 million in the UK and about 60,000 motorhomes pa go over to europe and very small numbers compared to commercial vehicles.


The people who I feel sorry for people like a friend of mine who doesn't have a motorhome but 3 vintage cars that he tours Europe on a Rally with about 20 to 50 vintage cars almost all of which have old fashioned  metal GB plates 
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To add ANYTHING less than 70 years old to any of cars is total sacrilege

Lets hope this does not happen