I have the new UK/Union Flag sticker covering the old GB/Euro Stars badge on my reg plates.
Used without issue back in June (this year) in Normandy & Brittany, and the route via Eurotunnel.
All perfectly legal, I understand.
We're returning next month, but heading so far south, we intend... as we have on previous occasions... to pop into Spain for a Day trip.
But it turns out that, for Malta, Cyprus, and Spain... regardless of what your reg plate shows or does not show... the legal requirement is the bigger, separate Oval UK Car sticker.
My info thus far states it "Should be clearly visible on the rear of the vehicle".
I hate car stickers with a vengeance, and my preference would be a magnetic UK Oval, used just for the one day trip into Spain... but we usually carry bikes on the tow bar mounted carrier, and thus covering the bottom two-thirds of the rear tailgate of our MPV. (Where the magnet would have to go!)
(On the rare occasion we drive the car away from camp, we prefer to leave the bikes on, as we have a habit of abandoning the car and pootling off on two wheels (each), even if only for a couple of hours, when out and about.)
A window sticker could go high up left of the rear window... (Looking from behind) but is heavily tinted, so may not be as "clearly visible" as Spanish law dictates?
So, in essence... would you advise that we leave the bikes on our French campsite, and pootle into Spain with car only, and with my preferred magnetic UK Oval clearly displayed on the lower half of the tailgate?
...Or... wait for it... do we assume the term "vehicle" includes all components thereon attached, be that permanent or temporary, as I'd be more than happy to use the stick-on UK sticker on the bum end of our roof box... which also stays on for the duration?
I don't fancy a sticker in the rear window of the car for eternity, but can live with one on the roofbox!
I can't find anything evidential to show how Spanish law would determine the word "vehicle", in this instance, and therefore whether the roof box is included!
Thoughts, musings, ramblings, facts, and links to said facts would be very much appreciated... and may even prove entertaining, so fire away!
PS:
I'm so determined to ensure I don't break local laws, I haven't even got around to finding out how much the fine is for getting this wrong!
Quote: Originally posted by billy on 05/8/2022
Stick it on the roof box. As long as they can see it from back then ok I would have thought ?
That's my current favourite, and as long as nobody comes along (before I set off on last day of this month) with a link to show that's not acceptable to Spanish police, is the option I shall choose.
Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 05/8/2022
Went to France for 2 weeks in France with no sticker at all, never got stopped!
saxo1
Sorry... missed this one.
I've been known to break the speed limit(s) in France 127 times... only got done once!
I've never carried a breathalyser, and once (back in the days of needing headlight deflectors) I totally forgot to put my headlight deflectors on! Never got stopped!
I've even crossed a stop line without physically stopping, and even (deliberately and consciously) turned left into a campsite across a solid white line, instead of heading up to the roundabout and doubling back!
The fact there was no vehicle or human in sight for miles around does not lessen the excitement we felt that day! Whooping like Bonnie & Clyde, we were!
Just because I didn't get caught doesn't mean I'd recommend it to others!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 05/8/2022
Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 05/8/2022
Went to France for 2 weeks in France with no sticker at all, never got stopped!
saxo1
Sorry... missed this one.
I've been known to break the speed limit(s) in France 127 times... only got done once!
I've never carried a breathalyser, and once (back in the days of needing headlight deflectors) I totally forgot to put my headlight deflectors on! Never got stopped!
I've even crossed a stop line without physically stopping, and even (deliberately and consciously) turned left into a campsite across a solid white line, instead of heading up to the roundabout and doubling back!
The fact there was no vehicle or human in sight for miles around does not lessen the excitement we felt that day! Whooping like Bonnie & Clyde, we were!
Just because I didn't get caught doesn't mean I'd recommend it to others!
And I drove my 2cv in the UK for 2 weeks with no F plate on it no probs. by the way I think the UK plates look ugly.
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 05/8/2022
I've even crossed a stop line without physically stopping
That brings back memories Coming from the tunnel to a campsite at Peuplingues, about 7 miles or so away, done that many times, so we know the route to it very well. There is a T-junction about halfway there, where we have to turn right, with a STOP line. OH duly stopped, looked both ways twice, but because the road on the left has a bend in it, once he set off, he crept forward slowly, just in case something came round that bend. No sooner had we turned onto that road, without a problem, then a gendarme sprang from the side of the road telling us to pull in. There were 2 of them, once we pulled in, and they said OH drove straight through the STOP line without stopping at all. So it was our word against theirs, how do you prove something like that (this was some years ago, prior to any dashcams). They told us it was a 90 Euro fine; we didn't have that on us, we had about 40 Euros as we'd only just got to France and were going to draw money out the next day (we'd crossed at around 6pm). We were then told they'd accompany us to a cash machine in Calais where we could draw money out and pay the fine. But, we would have to go in their police car and leave the motorhome there. We said we weren't happy doing that, and they then told us to see it as a warning and they would let us go. To this day we are convinced that they were out to get money out of foreign tourists, by intimidating them; we both know we came to a full stop at the STOP line, and OH was extra careful due to that bend on one side, and I also always look out at any junctions.
But in all the years of going to France, that's the only time anything like that has happened. Seen plenty of police speed traps over the years, but so far haven't been accused of speeding yet
Quote: Originally posted by billy on 05/8/2022
The Dutch keep asking me why we went from GB to UK. I’m losing the will to live trying to explain about GB & the UK of GB & NI.
Hi Mg. We are at Chaudeau until Wednesday week. Then I think we will go across to Coq Rouge nr Brive.
You and me both Billy, let me know if your going to Coq Rouge only about 1.5 hours from me, could do with a break before I face the UK for a couple of weeks in September
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by billy on 05/8/2022
The Dutch keep asking me why we went from GB to UK. I’m losing the will to live trying to explain about GB & the UK of GB & NI.
I'm constantly explaining what SCO is on my number plates, I can guarantee every European that walks past always stops and has a puzzled look on their face.
And no, I have no UK sticker on my vehicle as I simply refuse to put any stickers on my car. It's far too expensive to have stickers on it.
fn
Post last edited on 07/08/2022 11:21:45
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
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Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by billy on 05/8/2022
The Dutch keep asking me why we went from GB to UK. I’m losing the will to live trying to explain about GB & the UK of GB & NI.
Hi Mg. We are at Chaudeau until Wednesday week. Then I think we will go across to Coq Rouge nr Brive.
Maybe you could try to explain it to whoever runs our athletics team and insists on calling it `Team GB` - - I know I`m being pedantic here.
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 07/8/2022
blue expo ... Is why I use magnetic plate!
On your caravan as well?
Magnetic is still 'stuck' to your vehicle.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: UK Car sticker...
via mobile 05/8/2022 at 6:22pm
Coming from the tunnel to a campsite at Peuplingues, about 7 miles or so away, done that many times, so we know the route to it very well. There is a T-junction about halfway there, where we have to turn right, with a STOP line. OH duly stopped, looked both ways twice, but because the road on the left has a bend in it, once he set off, he crept forward slowly, just in case something came round that bend. No sooner had we turned onto that road, without a problem, then a gendarme sprang from the side of the road telling us to pull in. There were 2 of them, once we pulled in, and they said OH drove straight through the STOP line without stopping at all. So it was our word against theirs, how do you prove something like that (this was some years ago, prior to any dashcams). They told us it was a 90 Euro fine; we didn't have that on us, we had about 40 Euros as we'd only just got to France and were going to draw money out the next day (we'd crossed at around 6pm). We were then told they'd accompany us to a cash machine in Calais where we could draw money out and pay the fine. But, we would have to go in their police car and leave the motorhome there. We said we weren't happy doing that, and they then told us to see it as a warning and they would let us go. To this day we are convinced that they were out to get money out of foreign tourists, by intimidating them; we both know we came to a full stop at the STOP line, and OH was extra careful due to that bend on one side, and I also always look out at any junctions.
