Drivers that are heading into Europe must now display a new UK number plate or sticker on their car as part of new rules that came into force today.
The change means those who have older GB number plates will have to order new versions with the UK symbol on the left-hand side.
The other option is to purchase a new UK sticker, which costs between £1.50 and £4 from the likes of Halfords, the Post Office, online or in garages.
Under the old rules, Brits had to put a GB sticker on their car before travelling to another country, except if they had a number plate that also features these initials, underneath the Union Jack.
Drivers believe the new shake-up is part of post-Brexit rules that are designed to be more inclusive of Northern Ireland.
GB stands for Great Britain, which comprises England, Scotland and Wales, whereas UK stands for the United Kingdom, which comprises Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Halfords previously warned that if you fail to display the correct number plate or UK sticker, you could risk being denied entry into your chosen destination.
However, any penalties for not following the new rules will be dependent on specific countries, which means the consequences for drivers will vary across Europe.
If your number plate does include the UK identifier with the Union Jack, you won’t need to display a UK sticker as well.
Drivers who do need to place the UK sticker on their vehicle must display it clearly on the rear of their car.
Are you annoyed about the new number plate and sticker? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
This applies if your number plate has any of the following: a GB identifier with the Union flag; Euro symbol; national flag of England, Scotland or Wales; numbers and letters only – no flag or identifier.
If you have a GB sticker, guidelines state you must cover or remove it before driving outside the UK.
The guidelines on the Gov.uk website states: “If you're in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate.
“You do not need a UK sticker or number plate to drive in Ireland,' the website clarifies.”
The rule change comes months after the Government said there would be a new British number plate.
The new design was unveiled by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on January 31 - the first anniversary of Brexit.
It had the "GB" letters on it under a Union Jack flag.
Mr Shapps tweeted: "Brits will be able to drive on the Continent without GB stickers thanks to new reg plate with Union Flag and GB.”
British number plates have previously featured a GB symbol under the cluster of EU stars.
Welsh and Scottish drivers could still travel abroad with number plates that had the Welsh or Scottish flag, but only if it included a GB sticker.
This new rule means that the GB sticker will no longer be valid.
