The MoT test isn't just about road-worthiness - it includes checks on number plate and windscreen obstructions.
For further clarification here is an extract from OC’s earlier link.
Flags, symbols and identifiers
You can display one of the following flags with identifying letters on the left-hand side of the number plate:
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:
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.
John
Flags, symbols and identifiers
You can display one of the following flags with identifying letters on the left-hand side of the number plate:
- Union flag (also known as the Union Jack)
- Cross of St George
- Cross of St Andrew - also known as the Saltire
- Red Dragon of Wales
- UNITED KINGDOM, United Kingdom or UK
- GREAT BRITAIN, Great Britain or GB
- CYMRU, Cymru, CYM or Cym
- ENGLAND, England, ENG, Eng
- SCOTLAND, Scotland, SCO or Sco
- WALES or Wales
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:
- a 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 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.
John
Absolutely, but illegal in NI and Europe as well. I may worry about it and my sleep will suffer tonight! Did they have the obligatory UK sticker or not?
John
Could be Northern Iceland or Northern Italy or a host of other countries starting with letter "I". Then again with have Namibia, Nigeria and Niger all with an "N" & an "I" in their name . LOL!
I see no reason why we could not have stuck with GB?
Could be Northern Iceland or Northern Italy or a host of other countries starting with letter "I". Then again with have Namibia, Nigeria and Niger all with an "N" & an "I" in their name . LOL!
I see no reason why we could not have stuck with GB?
Don’t say that to people in Northern Ireland! 😀
John
Just back from 10 weeks in Portugal and Spain. Plenty of UK vehicles without the UK sticker and, indeed, quite a few without any nationality plates whatsoever. Like you I very much doubt that the police have any interest in such matters....unless they catch you for something else and want to "throw the book" at you.
No doubt you are 100% correct. But personally I would try to abide by whatever countries rules. Partly to avoid prosecution or just standing out. And out of respect for the country I am visiting.
I had to laugh once. I was driving a French car solo down a straight French D road. In the distance I could see two Gendarmes getting read to do a spot check on me. As I got closer they could make out from the plate that we where British. How quickly the backed off and waved me past.
John
I cannot understand the preoccupation with trying to avoid compliance with regulations that you should be complying with. The risks are perhaps unknowns, but failure to display the correct vehicle identification, is at least going to be a fine, or perhaps delay or the confiscation of the car. Why risk raising the stakes when for an item like a country sticker on a number plate is going to prevent any possible conflict.
Could be a British trait to see if you can get away with it as demonstrated on many occasions over the past 18 months?
Could be a British trait to see if you can get away with it as demonstrated on many occasions over the past 18 months?
Oh dear, seeing what you can get away with is far from uniquely a trait here, we see examples everywhere.
I completely agree. I find it odd that spending a few shillings on the appropriate sticker can be so difficult, especially on a car and caravan or a campervan which cost a lot of money to buy and run.
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