British motorists face £120 fine over number plate rule while driving on European holidays

British drivers risk a £120 fine if they fail to display a UK identifier when driving abroad and must use a UK sticker when driving their car in Spain, it has been announced. That's the warning from Swansway Motor Group, which is encouraging holidaymakers to check their licence plates if they're considering driving their car abroad this summer.

Data from gov.uk explains that any UK driver wishing to use their car overseas must ensure they have a UK identifier with a union flag on their licence plate. Failure to do so can result in a £120 fine.

If your licence plate includes a GB identifier, a national flag, a Euro symbol, or does not have an identifier, you must clearly display a UK sticker on the rear of your car. What's more, anyone driving in Spain, Malta, or Cyprus must use a UK sticker no matter what.

READ MORE: DVLA issues new procedure affecting all drivers and those wanting to learn

Swansway said it was keen to alert UK drivers to some of the other quirky rules which exist in Spain so they can avoid being fined while on holiday there. Rules include:

If you need to wear glasses, you must have a spare pair in the car. The drink driving limit is 0.25mg/l of exhaled air or 0.15mg/l for drivers with under three years’ experience. To rent a vehicle you must be 21. Many companies will only rent to drivers with more than two years’ of experience. Children under 135cm must not sit in the front.

A spokesperson for Swansway Motor Group said: "Thousands of Brits drive to their chosen holiday destinations each year and it is vital they can become familiar with the local driving laws. We'd recommend visiting tourism websites for the country you're visiting and familiarising yourself with the local regulations."

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