AQW 26050/17-22

Mr Cathal Boylan
Sinn Féin
Newry and Armagh

Tabled Date: 19/11/2021
Answered On Date: 06/12/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) whether her Department is aware if it is a legal requirement to place a UK sticker on a locally-registered vehicle when driving in the European Union; and (ii) if so, whether her Department is aware if an IRL sticker can be used instead

Answer:

The provisions pertaining to the display of a distinguishing mark or national identifier on vehicles being driven in international traffic, are set out in a number of international road traffic conventions. These international conventions set out the format of the distinguishing mark for each country and how it is to be displayed.

The purpose of the national identifier on a vehicle is to identify the country of registration of that vehicle to the authorities in the country in which it is being driven. Until recently, the national identifier for vehicles registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland was ‘GB’. However from the 28 September 2021 without any consultation, the British Government changed it to ‘UK’.

Although some countries do not enforce the provisions, the guidance is that all vehicles registered in this jurisdiction should display the letters ‘UK’ when driven abroad. However vehicles registered in Northern Ireland or Great Britain are not required to display a UK symbol or sticker when being driven in the Republic of Ireland.

If any other national identifier is applied to a vehicle registered in Northern Ireland or Great Britain being driven in international traffic, including within the European Union, it is for the authorities in those countries to determine if any breach of requirements, including their own domestic laws, has taken place.