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.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk