Manufacturers of Number Plates, Components and Self Assembly Systems
On the 28 December 2001 the Department of Transport released this press release
"Motorists in Great Britain will be able to display national flags and symbols on their number-plates, Minister for Transport John Spellar announced today.
Mr Spellar said:
"The Government has decided to legislate to allow the voluntary display of national flags and symbols on vehicle number plates. It is what the people of England, Scotland and Wales have asked for and strengthens their feeling of national identity.
"We did have initial concerns about the ability of enforcement cameras to read the plates but these concerns have been overcome through enhanced camera technology. I am pleased to be able to make this announcement today."
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 will be amended to allow national flags to be displayed on the left hand side of the number plate, in the area currently set aside for the voluntary display of the Euro symbol and GB national identifier.
Vehicle owners will be provided with the option of displaying either the Union Jack, Cross of St George, Scottish Saltire or Welsh Dragon accompanied, if they wish, by identifiers such as GB, ENG, SCO, CYM, UK etc.Those who choose to display a national flag or symbol on their number plates in preference to the European circle of stars and GB identifier will be required to continue to display a separate GB sticker when travelling outside the United Kingdom.
Additional Information
There has never been provision in law for the display of flags or symbols on vehicle number plates. However the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, which took effect on1 September 2001, provided for the voluntary display of the Euro symbol and GB national identifier.
Under EC Council Regulation 2411/98 Member States are required to recognise number plates that conform with this Regulation (i.e. display the European circle of stars and distinguishing sign of the Member of State of registration on the extreme left of the registration plate). This enables motorists to circulate freely within the European Community without the need for a separate national identity sticker.
Representations have been made for the inclusion of national flags, in preference to the European circle of stars. When the legislation is changed to accommodate national flags, motorists who wish to take advantage of the facility will be required to display a separate GB decal when travelling abroad.
The police and enforcement agencies have advised that this easement will not have an adverse effect on law enforcement. Advances in camera technology mean that number plates will continue to be capable of being effectively read by roadside cameras.
Motorists will be permitted to display any combination of the following flags and literals:
Flags: Union Flag, Cross of St George, Cross of St Andrew (Saltire), Red Dragon
Literals: England, ENG, Great Britain, GB, United Kingdom, UK, Cymru, CYM, Wales, Scotland, SCO