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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 10 Jan 2009
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GB Stickers in Africa
Has anyone here had any problems with driving in Africa without a GB sticker on the back of the car? We were meant to pick one up when crossing the English Channel and forgot... and they appear to be pretty hard to come by once you're out of the UK. Or if anyone knows where to pick them up in Southern Spain / Gibraltar then let me know.

Many thanks.
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Old 10 Jan 2009
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In my admittedly limited experience, no one cares about your sticker once you leave the EU. As far as I can tell, they are not required anywhere else in the world.

I've been riding around Europe and Africa, mostly on an American bike with no country identification whatsoever. No one cares, even in EU countries. In West Africa I rode a total of four local bikes without country identification, including crossing a few borders; again, no one cared even to the extent of asking for documentation. In Guinea I ran into a French rider who had lost his plate; he replaced it with a cardboard replica, crudely hand-lettered. No one cared.

Hope that helps.

Mark
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  #3  
Old 10 Jan 2009
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Don't worry, if not having a GB sticker is the only thing an African traffic cop can do you for, you're doing really well!!
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  #4  
Old 11 Jan 2009
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Turn it into an advantage.
You might get less hassel if they think your NOT from UK
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Old 11 Jan 2009
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You could always make one?
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  #6  
Old 11 Jan 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WillCalderwood View Post
Or if anyone knows where to pick them up in Southern Spain / Gibraltar then let me know.
Your simplest solution would be to purchase a Gibraltar sticker/plate (GBZ) and apply a bit if white paint.

Having said that, I have been driving and riding all of Europe, and much of Russia and its 'independant' republics, during the last 48 years and not once had a sticker/plate on any vehicle (although sometimes one is tucked away in my papers - just in case!) and never has it been mentioned.


PS. Or you could go via Greece (GR) and add a bit of black tape !
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Old 11 Jan 2009
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Glue from any sticker
Get any sticker, apply and pull off leaving a dirty mark. You can then have the classic conversation that goes "Yes officer, it's right th....oh....seems to have fallen off...know where I can get one?".

Also works for headlight beam deflectors and can be varied to include warning triangles, fire exstinguishers and so on.

Andy
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  #8  
Old 11 Jan 2009
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Don't bother
I wouldn't bother, even in France and SPain I have had no problems without a sticker.
In Africa or other Muslim countries it might be an advantage.
I was travelling in southern Turkey a few years back and US/UK were bombing Iraq, we got screamed at in restaurants & bars a couple of times, that US/UK Govt were to balme etc - once went down the road of being Welsh, and showed tham the flag on a diary - the were clueless as to where that was. Second time we said we were froom NZ they went away and came back twith a drink as an appology. Elsewhere throughout Turkey, Syria, Jordan etc we had no problems.
We were camping out in Jordan and were approached by an Iraqi/Jordanian group - large extended family of 50-60 - they invited us to join them, they were fully aware we were Brits, one of the elder ladies then explained that two of here sons and three son in laws had died in Gulf Wars etc - thaey were very realistic and balmed it on political manoevering.

Enjoy!
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Old 12 Jan 2009
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I've never had a GB sticker, been to virtually all European countries and a few north African ones. No-one has ever mentioned I don't have one, asked to see one or been the slightest bit interested.
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Old 12 Jan 2009
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Nobody cared!
Just travelled to Timbuktu and back - no sticker, nobody bothered! Even though our car is right hand drive nobody out of Spain seemed to twig that we were from UK! Just looked baffled when they approached the passenger window and there was no driving wheel!
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Old 13 Jan 2009
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Just stick a few Obama stickers on your vehicle and you'll blend in with the locals.
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Old 22 Jan 2009
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Don't worry bout it.
8Yrs on the road in Eu and North Africa.
Never an issue...
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  #13  
Old 22 Jan 2009
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Don't worry bout it.
8Yrs on the road in Eu and North Africa.
Never an issue...
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  #14  
Old 22 Jan 2009
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I was visiting a mine site yesterday and the guy at the gate thought that my Ghana registered vehicle (with an unusual plate) was foreign registered - this is despite the fact that the Ghana plates even have the damn flag on it!!!!!! So in short a GB sticker will not be asked for ;-) but I did once have a missing front number plate that caused endless grief here in Ghana - but then I also once denied speeding to a "traditionally built" lady Police Inspector and got my nipple twisted for being cheeky (really) - in front of my Girlfriends family who were first time in Africa.
Ghana Cops - love 'em really,
Gil
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Old 30 Jan 2009
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Ghana Cops are angels
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Originally Posted by gilghana1 View Post
Ghana Cops - love 'em really,
Gil
They are angels compared to the ones in Cameroon!
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