Anyone from the UK driving abroad must say goodbye to the old-style GB stickers today as a significant change to law comes into force.
Road users will now be required to remove the traditional GB sticker from their number plates when driving in Europe, and use a UK one instead.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced in January that UK motorists would need a new registration plate.
On the first anniversary of Brexit on January 31, he unveiled the new design, which had the letters ‘GB’ on it under a Union Flag, bringing an end to 111 years of the badges being displayed on British cars.
Critics have blasted it as a waste of money and a ‘slap in the face’ to those proud of being British.
At the time, Mr Shapps tweeted: ‘Brits will be able to drive on the Continent without GB stickers thanks to new reg plate with Union Flag and GB.’
But the old stickers will no longer be valid and drivers could face penalties for not complying with the new rules.
According to Government guidelines, anyone planning to drive outside the UK now needs to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of their vehicle if their number plate has any of the following: a GB identifier with the Union flag, a Euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales, and numbers and letters only.
The guidelines state: ‘If you are in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate.
‘You do not need a UK sticker or number plate to drive in Ireland.’
The latest change for motorists comes in a week when many are frustrated with the Government’s handling of the fuel crisis – in which Brexit has also been a factor.
Mr Shapps insisted last week that cynics were ‘wrong’ to blame Brexit for the drastic shortage of lorry drivers as panic buying causes petrol shortages.
Speaking to broadcasters, Mr Shapps said: ‘Brexit I hear mentioned a lot, and it no doubt will have been a factor.
‘On the other hand, it has actually helped us to change rules to be able to test more drivers more quickly. So, it has actually worked in both ways.’
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