8 replies to this topic

[NATHAN1275]

Like most mini owners I have the chrome GB on the boot lid. Are they all we need when driving in europe or do we need a GB number plate or Sticker. I think that the chrome GB would be fine but i just want to make sure. Have there been any problems B4 on the run or are they ok?

[Puddings]

Like most mini owners I have the chrome GB on the boot lid. Are they all we need when driving in europe or do we need a GB number plate or Sticker. I think that the chrome GB would be fine but i just want to make sure. Have there been any problems B4 on the run or are they ok?

i went to europe about 6 times with my chrome GB on never had a problem, not saying it copmplies with traffic laws ect but i was fine

[Teapot]

Well, you asked!

The dimensions for oval stickers are stipulated within the UNECE Convention on Road Traffic, of 8 November 1968.

Annex 3 states (in part):

• The distinguishing sign... shall consist of one to three letters in capital Latin characters. The letters shall have a height of at least 0.08 m and their strokes a width of at least 0.01 m. The letters shall be painted in black on a white ground having the shape of an ellipse with the major axis horizontal.

• When the distinguishing sign consists of only one letter, the major axis of the ellipse may be vertical.

• On motor cycles and their trailers, the dimensions of the axes of the ellipse shall be at least 0.175 m and 0.115 m. On other motor vehicles and their trailers, the dimensions of the axes of the ellipse shall be at least:

(a) 0.24 m and 0.145 m if the distinguishing sign comprises three letters;
(b) 0.175 m and 0.115m if the distinguishing sign comprises less than three letters.

http://www.unece.org...entn/crt1968e.p df

PS If you have the new euro number plates with the small blue strip to one end of the plate and the circle of stars, you don't need a GB sticker. But that is correct ONLY if you are driving within another EU country AND the EU style Number Plate has GB printed below the ring of stars NOT the other UK sanctioned identifiers CYM, ENG or SCO.

[NATHAN1275]

Thats cool. I was unsure if it complies with european traffic law but i would have thought that its one of those things that they would let slide. After all they are big shiny letters that say GB, they do the job they are supposed to and the union jack on the roof might give it away aswell.

Thanks Nath & Cat

[Teapot]

I am always caught for everything (long story, bad vibes) so I just stuck on the proper GB sticker which came free with the ferry booking. Incidentally we usually have a similar discussion each year about headlights and at the ferry car park you see everyone sticking black insulation tape on their lenses to adjust the beam pattern. I, of course, made a special trip to Halfords and paid through the nose for a little packet of legal deflectors. Coward.

[JetBLICK]

what about the england flagged plates - like the ones you buy in halfords? do you know if they're 'legal' in this sence.

[NATHAN1275]

We have decided to put a GB sticker in the car so we car put it on if there are any problems. Im gonna go down the Electrical/phase tape route for the head lights. Unless we can find some beam converters that are flexible, we had problems last year in the family car because the beam converters were not very flexible and did not fit very well to rounded headlights. So we used tape and it was fine, it lasted for 3 weeks even with doing over a ton on the motorways.

[Pie]

what about the england flagged plates - like the ones you buy in halfords? do you know if they're 'legal' in this sence.

Youll still need a GB sticker on your bootlid Dan. Basically, from what Teapot has put, you either need new style euro/GB numberplates or a GB sticker on your bootlid.

GB stickers dont look too bad and they only cost a pound or so from garages etc. OR you can buy them on the ferry, but they charge a lot more.

[Teapot]

Also: take care when removing the sticker (if you don't want to keep it on when you get back). I think the tmf majority view is to use a hairdryer to warm and gently peel off.