WIREDGOV

Law change allows motorists to fly the flag

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (053) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 27 April 2009

Patriotic motorists are now able to display national flags on their number plates after Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon secured a change in the law.

Under the new rules - which come into force today - motorists in England, Scotland and Wales can display the Union flag, Cross of St George, Saltire or Red Dragon of Wales.

Geoff Hoon said:

"The display of our national flags is a healthy expression of the pride we have in our country.

"It is right that motorists are now able to celebrate this pride by displaying flags on their number plates and I look forward to seeing our national symbols on cars around the country."

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said:
"Today the Government has delivered a commitment to allow the Welsh Dragon on to number plates. I hope the Red Dragon will now become a familiar sight across Wales and beyond as motorists take the opportunity to display their Welsh pride on their plates.

"There are more than 1.7 million vehicles registered in Wales, any of those can now choose to proudly fly the Welsh flag to promote Wales on the roads across the UK and Europe."

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said:

"The Saltire is a proud symbol of Scotland which belongs to every Scot so it's right that drivers here should be allowed to display it on their licence plates.

"This is good news for Scottish motorists who, thanks to changes in the law made by the UK Government, can now use this important part of their identity in public. I welcome today's announcement."

The flags can be displayed on the left hand side of the number plate.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Vehicle number plates must comply with the specifications contained in the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. These regulations specify, amongst other things, the character size, font, colour and spacing that registration numbers must comply with. These Regulations also make provision for the voluntary display of the blue European Flag with "GB" within the circle of stars. This allows motorists to travel within the European Community without the need to display the conventional oval sticker to identify in which member state the vehicle is registered.

2. The amendments to the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 that come into force today mean that motorists in England, Scotland and Wales can display the Union flag, Cross of St George, Cross of St Andrew (also known as the Saltire) or Red Dragon of Wales as well one of the following identifiers: GREAT BRITAIN, Great Britain, GB, UNITED KINGDOM, United Kingdom, UK, CYMRU, Cymru, CYM, Cym, ENGLAND, England, ENG, Eng, SCOTLAND, Scotland, SCO, Sco, WALES or Wales. No other symbols or flags can be displayed on number plates. Motorists displaying national flags and identifiers will still be required to display the conventional oval sticker when travelling in Europe.

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Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk