UK introduces new car sticker requirement for driving in France
There have been a lot of big changes in travel between France and the UK since the end of the Brexit transition period, but now the UK has introduced another - a new sticker requirement for British drivers.
If you intend to drive your British vehicle in France - or anywhere else in the EU - you will now need a "UK" sticker on your car.
This replaces the GB sticker or magnet that was previously needed when driving abroad, and the UK government guidance states: "If you have a GB sticker, cover or remove it."
READ ALSO Travel to France: What has changed since Brexit
The new rule came come into effect on September 28th, 2021 for British registered cars driving in the EU, with the exception of Ireland, which does not require a sticker or magnet.
The UK government specifies: "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 (also known as the Union Jack)
- a Euro symbol
- a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
- numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier
"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.
"If you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate."
A screenshot of the UK government's webpage on number plates.
The British government has also registered UK - rather than GB - as its new international symbol for traffic.
The UN said it had received “a notification stating that the United Kingdom is changing the distinguishing sign that it had previously selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom, from ‘GB’ to ‘UK’”.
A spokesman for the British Department for Transport said: “Changing the national identifier from GB to UK symbolises our unity as a nation and is part of a wider move towards using the UK signifier across government.
“GB number plates will still be valid within the EU as long as drivers display a UK sticker on the rear of their vehicle.”
The difference between Great Britain and the UK is the inclusion of Northern Ireland - GB refers only to England, Scotland and Wales while UK is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The new UK stickers will be available online, and in post offices and garages for around £1.50 (€1.75).
Clearly displaying the country of origin of your vehicle is an international requirement and if you are stopped by French police without one you can be issued with an on-the-spot fine (although it's unclear how bothered French police will be about the intricacies of UK v GB).
Drivers coming to France from the UK also need to put correctors on their headlights, while French law states that all motorists must carry with them an emergency triangle and a high-vis fluorescent vest. The law requiring drivers to carry breathalysers has now been scrapped but if you are driving in most cities you will need a Crit'Air sticker.
Other changes
While most people are unlikely to be losing much sleep over a sticker, there are some other bigger changes that Brexit has ushered in.
Driving to France does not require any extra paperwork, motorists who are only visiting can continue to drive on their UK licence and the insurance Green Card is no longer required.
You must, however, make sure that your UK passport has at least six months left to run.
Pets can no longer use the European Pet Passport and instead need an Animal Health Certificate, which must be renewed before each trip.
Meanwhile UK nationals who are resident in France need to show their visa or residency card along with their passport every time they enter or leave the country, to avoid having their passport stamped as a visitor.
Also bear in mind restrictions on what can be brought in to the EU from the UK, which includes high-value items, food and plants.
Find the full list of travel changes HERE.
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If you intend to drive your British vehicle in France - or anywhere else in the EU - you will now need a "UK" sticker on your car.
This replaces the GB sticker or magnet that was previously needed when driving abroad, and the UK government guidance states: "If you have a GB sticker, cover or remove it."
READ ALSO Travel to France: What has changed since Brexit
The new rule came come into effect on September 28th, 2021 for British registered cars driving in the EU, with the exception of Ireland, which does not require a sticker or magnet.
The UK government specifies: "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 (also known as the Union Jack)
- a Euro symbol
- a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
- numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier
"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.
"If you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate."
A screenshot of the UK government's webpage on number plates.
The British government has also registered UK - rather than GB - as its new international symbol for traffic.
The UN said it had received “a notification stating that the United Kingdom is changing the distinguishing sign that it had previously selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom, from ‘GB’ to ‘UK’”.
A spokesman for the British Department for Transport said: “Changing the national identifier from GB to UK symbolises our unity as a nation and is part of a wider move towards using the UK signifier across government.
“GB number plates will still be valid within the EU as long as drivers display a UK sticker on the rear of their vehicle.”
The difference between Great Britain and the UK is the inclusion of Northern Ireland - GB refers only to England, Scotland and Wales while UK is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The new UK stickers will be available online, and in post offices and garages for around £1.50 (€1.75).
Clearly displaying the country of origin of your vehicle is an international requirement and if you are stopped by French police without one you can be issued with an on-the-spot fine (although it's unclear how bothered French police will be about the intricacies of UK v GB).
Drivers coming to France from the UK also need to put correctors on their headlights, while French law states that all motorists must carry with them an emergency triangle and a high-vis fluorescent vest. The law requiring drivers to carry breathalysers has now been scrapped but if you are driving in most cities you will need a Crit'Air sticker.
Other changes
While most people are unlikely to be losing much sleep over a sticker, there are some other bigger changes that Brexit has ushered in.
Driving to France does not require any extra paperwork, motorists who are only visiting can continue to drive on their UK licence and the insurance Green Card is no longer required.
You must, however, make sure that your UK passport has at least six months left to run.
Pets can no longer use the European Pet Passport and instead need an Animal Health Certificate, which must be renewed before each trip.
Meanwhile UK nationals who are resident in France need to show their visa or residency card along with their passport every time they enter or leave the country, to avoid having their passport stamped as a visitor.
Also bear in mind restrictions on what can be brought in to the EU from the UK, which includes high-value items, food and plants.
Find the full list of travel changes HERE.
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