Displaying number plates

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Flags, identifiers and stickers

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

The letters, or national identifiers, you can have are:

  • 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

The flag must be above the identifier. You cannot have the flag or letters on the number plate margin, and neither can be more than 50 millimetres wide.

Stickers for driving outside the UK

You may need to display a white oval UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle when driving outside the UK. This depends on your number plate and where you are going.

You do not need a UK sticker if your number plate has the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack).

You must display a UK sticker if your number plate has any of these:

  • numbers and letters only, no flag or identifier
  • a GB identifier with the Union flag
  • a European Union flag
  • a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales

UK stickers have replaced the old white oval GB stickers. If you have a GB sticker, cover or remove it before driving outside the UK.

Do not put the sticker on your numberplate.

Driving in Spain, Cyprus and Malta

You must display a UK sticker to drive in Spain, Cyprus and Malta, no matter what’s on your number plate.

Driving in the Republic of Ireland

You do not need a UK sticker to drive in Ireland no matter what’s on your number plate.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Drive abroad: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check where you can use your licence

    1. Check the rules for using your driving licence abroad

    You may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive outside the UK.

    1. Check if you need an IDP

  2. Step 2 Apply for an international driving permit (IDP)

    1. Get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint £5.50

  3. Step 3 Get insurance

    1. Check if your vehicle insurance covers you for the countries you're driving through

    Check this with your car hire company if you’re hiring a vehicle.

  4. Step 4 Prepare the documents you need to take with you

    1. Check what documents you need to take a vehicle out of the UK

    If you're hiring a car you may need to share your driving licence information with the hire company.

    1. Get a 'check code' to share your driving licence information

    If you got your licence in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to show the rental company your paper counterpart instead.

  5. Step 5 Check the rules for the country you're travelling to

    The rules for driving may be different in the country you're going to. For example, drink-driving rules might be different or you might need to carry extra equipment in your car.

    1. You are currently viewing: Check if you need to display a country sticker on your vehicle
    2. Check what you need to do if you’re driving in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
    3. Check the travel advice for all countries

    When you have your documents, insurance and any extra equipment you need you can drive abroad.

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