Driving licences to show Union Jack

By Gareth Roberts
|
30 December 2014

The Government says celebrating national identity is behind its plan to display the Union Jack, alongside the European Union flag, on British driving licences.

Anyone applying for a new licence or changing their personal details will be issued with a licence showing both the British and European Union flags from now on.

The changes will apply to motorists in England, Scotland and Wales, and provide road users with a symbolic sign of their national identity, says the Government.

Transport minister Claire Perry said: "People in this country rightly take pride in our national flag which is why I am delighted it will now be displayed on British driving licences.

"Celebrating Britain strengthens our sense of national identity and our unity. I will feel proud to carry my new licence and I hope others will too."

The European Union flag has been displayed on full driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998. More than 127 million photocard licences have been issued since they were introduced.

The inclusion of the Union Flag on licences is one of a number of changes being introduced by the Government for motorists, including the scrapping of the paper counterpart from June 8, 2015.

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Author: Gareth Roberts

News editor

gareth.roberts@bauermedia.co.uk

01733 468314

Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.

Comments (9)

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Walter White - 30/12/2014 10:02

I think you mean the "Union Flag". The term Union Jack is only used if the flag is on a ship.
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- ReliantRegal - 30/12/2014 10:34
  
  @Walter White - Not according to the experts at the Flag Institute. http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag/ Here, Cdr Bruce Nicolls OBE RN (Retd), says: "Early in its life, the Admiralty itself frequently referred to the flag as the Union Jack, whatever its use, and in 1902 an Admiralty Circular announced that Their Lordships had decided that either name could be used officially. Such use was given Parliamentary approval in 1908 when it was stated that “the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag”.
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- NigelBoyle - 30/12/2014 10:58
  
  @ReliantRegal - I am with Walter - he is correct, however common usage may have polluted the correctness.
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- ReliantRegal - 30/12/2014 11:04
  
  @NigelBoyle - That is incorrect Nigel. People link the term 'jack' with flying the flag from the ship's jackstaff. However, it was known as the jack more than 150 years before the jackstaff appeared on a ship.
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- NigelBoyle - 12/01/2015 09:32
  
  @ReliantRegal - Well we can debate that one until the cows come home - I was told the Fack is only when on a ship in horbour, however this suggests it is wider than that with recent reference to the Flag. This has it all: http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag/
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Alisha Bird - 30/12/2014 10:52

Union Jack or Union Flag whichever term is correct, I think it’s long overdue and can’t wait to get the new licence.
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NigelBoyle - 30/12/2014 11:05

It is time we stop being bashful and all metaphorically sing 'Rule Britannia' We are a great Nation - united we will rule. 2015 is time to buy Jaguar XEs and not BMWs and Mercs - Lets support the government's flag flying and Buy British manufactured vehicles. Jaguar, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Lotus, Caterum, Morgan, Rolls, Bentley, Mini (have I missed any?). Profits may go abroad but they create employment and tax revenue to further this nation.
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N Bradley - 30/12/2014 11:16

would have been accepable to more people if they had choice of individual nation flags i.e. WALES, SCOTLAND, IRELAND in line with their addresses
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hazel rigazio - 30/12/2014 20:52

rigazio.hazel8@googlemail.com
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Iain - 30/12/2014 22:40

Personally, I'd be quite happy if they left the flag on the back of a boat. I don't want it on my licence so I'll stick with my old paper version, thank you, unless they give me an option to opt out?
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John H Davies - 31/12/2014 23:18

The union flag is a symbol of domination. It is an insult to the people of Wales to have to bear it on our driving licences. We have our own symbols of nationhood in Wales - the Red Dragon, the lions of Gwynedd and cross of St David. The Union flag has always been a symbol of the English empire.
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- barry - 10/01/2015 12:35
  
  @John H Davies -
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Menna davies - 12/01/2015 21:35

Would be proud to have the dragon on my licence, as i am sure the Scottish, Irish and English would also be peoud of their flags. We pay for our lisence so our oppinions should matter xx
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Steve - 14/01/2015 09:23

As i said at the Queens Golden and Diamond Jubilees' ... HURRAH!
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