As of 28th September 2021, GB bumper stickers are no longer valid abroad, instead UK registered vehicles should display a UK sticker or have the UK identifier on their number plate.
The GB sticker was valid for cars from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when driving in the EU, but British motorists driving outside the UK must now remove old-style GB stickers or cover them up.
"It might only be a matter of replacing two letters, but this is a significant change for drivers who in normal times take their cars outside the UK," said RAC spokesman Rod Dennis.
The new rules state that any driver with a GB sticker on their car now needs to replace it with a new UK one if they are taking their vehicle abroad.
"Drivers also need to remember that number plates featuring the blue band and letters 'GB' next to the European golden stars are also no longer valid," Mr Dennis warned.
Penalties for not complying with these new rules are likely to vary. Drivers who failed to display their UK badges could be refused entry to some countries.
A Department for Transport spokesperson 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.
• a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
• numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier
However, anyone with a number plate that includes the UK identifier with the Union flag, also known as the Union Jack, does not need a UK sticker.
The guidelines add: "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."
