GB Plate or Number Plate?

[Morganic]

I am thinking of going on the continent next year. Do I need a GB Plate on the car and caravan or is it permitted to have GB number plates on both?

 

[Guest]

You need a GB plate on both car and caravan, whether it be part of your normal number plate in EU format, or a separate GB sticker. An 'Eng' or 'Sco' one is not legal. It is unlikely you will be stopped for not having one as I have seen a number of GB cars withoput hem, but you can never tell if it will be your day to meet Mr Grumpy of the Gendarmes

 

[TonyH1]

Actually the GB incorporated in an EU style number plate does not satisfy the requirement to display a GB plate (yes I know loads of people rely on them, me included).

Apparently there is some convention we didn't sign up to which means we do still need the old fashioned GB plate.

Mad, isn't it, but thought you should know.

 

[ValA.]

I've not heard that one before - where did you see/read about it? We've had EU standard number plates with GB as part of the plate, on this car since 2004 (and probably the previous car but I can't remember) - and never even thought we should need anything else. As Scotch Lad says, some people don't even have an EU plate, let alone a separate GB sticker.

 

[Lutz]

I'd like to know where Tony H got his facts from. If you have a 'proper' EU plate, i.e. one incorporating a 'GB' under the starred circle and not 'Eng', 'Sco' or anything else, you do NOT need a separate GB plate.

 

[Guest]

You are correct Lutz,but in Tony H's defence, I believe this story did the rounds a couple of years ago, and concerned the legality of such plates. As the UK had not signed up to one treaty or another, anyway it was something like that.

The truth is the EU plate is not in accordance with the Geneva convention Bla Bla Bla whatever,so as the EU disregards this anyway the fact that the UK was not signed up to, this or that,is really irreverent. In the Eyes of the EU its legal..........

 

[Lutz]

Of course, an EU plate without a GB sticker is only legal within the EU. Outside the EU you still need a GB sticker. An exception is, however, made in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland which also accept the EU plate without the extra sticker.

 

[TonyH1]

My apologies, done a bit more research after Lutz's comments (guess I should have to start with!) and do now agree that EU style plates with GB, and not the regional variations, are all you need within the EU. My confusion was caused by GB not signing up to the convention at the outset. Apparently the convention (Council Regulation (EC) No 2411/98) was first signed in 1998 but GB didn't sign up till March 2001.

 

[Lutz]

Just a minor point, but even if the UK didn't sign the agreement until 2001, it still wouldn't have stopped visitors from the UK taking their cars to the Continent with EU plates but without a GB sticker before that date, only the other way round.

 

[Gafferbill]

....just an observation!

I see many GB cars on the continent with no signage at all, others with no headlight converters or converters applied to the wrong side of the headlamp glass.

I even know someone with a second home near Geneva, who drives across France and Germany regularly and does not bother with lights or GB stickers.

There may be rules and theory but ......

now if I tried it I would be stopped before I had driven 10km from the ferry port!!

 

[Lutz]

There's no requirement for headlamp converters, just a requirement that one must not dazzle oncoming traffic. If that can be achieved by other means without headlamp converters, so be it.

 

[Gafferbill]

... that's the rule Lutz... by nothing to do with my light-hearted observation.

Complying with the rule by means other than stick on converters

would be very expensive and time consuming for the types of UK cars I observe.

 

[nadsia]

... that's the rule Lutz... by nothing to do with my light-hearted observation.

Complying with the rule by means other than stick on converters

would be very expensive and time consuming for the types of UK cars I observe.

Hi All,i've got a Vectra and adjusters on the inside of the headlight so i can move a lever and that changes the beam so it shines the opposite way.So i will change them over while waiting to board the ferry.Also will put my magnetic GB badge on the rear of car at same time.Travelling down on 2nd Nov cant wait,long drive but we gettin excited.Bring on the spanish sunshine lol.Kev

 

[Lutz]

Like Kev says, there are other solutions which are not overly expensive or time consuming. Besides, headlamp converters must not be used in conjunction with xenon headlamps.