28 Dec 2001
Scottish motorists can fly the flag for Scotland on highways and byways across the land and beyond now that the go ahead has been given for symbols of national identity to be used on vehicle number plates.
There has never been provision in law for the display of flags or symbols on vehicle number plates, however today’s announcement means that in future motorists can freely choose to display the symbols SCO, Scotland or the Saltire on their number plates.
Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell, who secured agreement in September from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions to consider the use of symbols of national identity on number plates, said:
"I am sure that Scots motorists will welcome the news that they can display the Scottish flag and the name of their nation. Scots are rightly proud of their national identity and it is good news for our motorists that they can now ‘legally’ show this pride through symbols on their number plates.
"I know that many Scots are particularly pleased to be able to ‘fly the flag’ when they are motoring on the continent and enjoy the good reputation that Scots ‘abroad’ have built up over the years. I expect that in future many more of the over two million vehicles registered in Scotland will display these national symbols."
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
1. The announcement of the go ahead for the use of symbols was made today by the Minister for Transport John Spellar.
2. National flags and symbols will be displayed on the left hand side of the number plate in the area set aside for the display of the Euro symbol. Drivers wishing to display a Scottish identifier may display the Saltire, ‘SCO’ and ‘Scotland’ within this space.
3. 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 on September 2001 provided for the voluntary display of the Euro symbol and GB national identifier.
4. The display of national flags or symbols should not affect the ability of law enforcement agencies to recognise and record the registration mark of the vehicle. Advances in camera technology mean that number plates will continue to be capable of being effectively read by roadside cameras.
5. 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 State of registration on the extreme left of the registration plate). This enables motorists to circulate freely within the Community without the need for a separate national identity sticker. Motorists who wish to display national flags which do not confirm with the EEC regulation will be required to display a separate GB decal when travelling abroad, provided they are not on the registration plate. Drivers will in addition still be able to display stickers bearing any other form of national, local, sporting etc symbols on their vehicle.