Should all numberplates bear a Eurotag?

[pricemazda]

I have a way for people to avoid this

Save the environment, don't buy a car!

[Andrew]

Hahaha, excellent idea!

[lasdun]

Zim,

I don't see how you have any more infulence in Westminster than in the EU. Both have unelected civil servents doing the majority of the work (thats what the commission is, it can't make law, only make suggestsions - the difference being that we know what they suggest where as the civil service runs silent) and an parliament with two houses, we have the Commons and the Lords, they have the Parliament and the Council (made up of heads of government).

If you wanted to leave the EU you could stand as an MP on that ticket. If your party won a majority they you could excercise your national power and leave. You vote for every party making a decision, via the european Parliament elections or the elections for westminster.

The EU government has many many problems, nearly as many as Britian.

[Accura4Matalan]

Is it me or are less and less new cars bearing these nowadays?

[pricemazda]

They have to by law. The only difference is in the UK we allowed a transition period where they are optional and subsequently some metric martyr types went to great lengths and expense to force the government to allow any moniker including English, Scottish and even Jamaican flags on the plates.

However, this is only a transitional arrangement and European law is very clear on this. All new cars will have to bear the EU moniker and national designation.

This has always been the law since we joined the EU in the 70s. We always had to display a national sticker on our cars when travelling outside the UK. The difference is now they are put on the number plates.

[JohnnyFive]

Originally Posted by pricemazda

They have to by law.

The EU format is optional in Finland, Sweden, Cyprus, Denmark and the UK.

In Scotland for example, it is rare to see an 'S' registered car carrying a GB eurotag.

[Leeds No.1]

Absolutely.

Just saves effort every time you want to drive in other EU states.

[Squirrelking]

Originally Posted by pricemazda

some metric martyr types went to great lengths and expense to force the government to allow any moniker including English, Scottish and even Jamaican flags on the plates.

I can assure you that only the national flags of the UK are legal on plates. Jamaican flags, football club badges, manufacturer badges or anything else are not road legal and if caught you'll be getting a fine and correction order.

SCO, ENG, WAL/ CYM etc. monikers and their associated flags are also only legal within the UK, those carrying such plates still need to display a GB sticker as normal.

Originally Posted by DVLA

National flags and identifiers

Motorists in England, Scotland and Wales have the option to display the Union Flag, Cross of St George, Cross of St Andrew (also known as the Saltire) or Red Dragon of Wales together with 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. This must be displayed on the left hand side of the number plate. No other symbols or flags can be displayed on number plates.
The flag must be positioned above the identifier and neither must be more than 50 millimetres wide or on the number plate margin.
Motorists displaying national flags and identifiers will still be required to display the standard GB sticker when travelling in Europe.

The Euro symbol

If you display the Euro symbol and Great Britain (GB) national identifier on your number plate, then you won't need a separate GB sticker when travelling within the European Union.
The symbol must meet the required standards. They are:

• minimum height of 98 millimetres
• minimum width of 40 millimetres to a maximum of 50 millimetres
• reflective blue background with 12 reflecting yellow stars at the top
• sign of the member state (GB) in reflecting white or yellow

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...ates/DG_181503

[Sarepava]

I'm curious as to whether you are asked if you want one when you buy a new car. The new or nearly-new ones outside dealerships never seem to have any - do dealers just assume that people don't want 'em when they register new vehicles?

I have rarely if ever seen a Union flag or St George cross that wasn't an aftermarket addition. Unlike some countries (eastern Europe particularly) we don't seem to have a culture of displaying any national symbols on your license plates. Almost all older cars still extant in Slovakia, Romania or Hungary have the national shield or a flag where the EU tag is now.

[ravenseft]

Originally Posted by pricemazda

They have to by law.

No they don't. When the concept first appeared, the Labour govt made it a requirement. However, this was changed in April 2009

However, this is only a transitional arrangement and European law is very clear on this. All new cars will have to bear the EU moniker and national designation.

Again, no it doesn't and there's no transitional regime. The display of the EU symbol is voluntary and always has been.

[pricemazda]

^ yes they do.

As part of my job I have spoken to the Commission officials responsible for making sure the legislation is followed. The law you quote is from 1998.

I do get really fed up with internet warriors who keep telling more about my area of expertise than they think I know about.

[JohnnyFive]

Originally Posted by pricemazda

^ yes they do.

As part of my job I have spoken to the Commission officials responsible for making sure the legislation is followed. The law you quote is from 1998.

I do get really fed up with internet warriors who keep telling more about my area of expertise than they think I know about.

If this is the case then could you please inform what is the cut off date whereby all cars require to have the Eurotag and link the legislation?

[Tyr]

Originally Posted by Sarepava

I'm curious as to whether you are asked if you want one when you buy a new car. The new or nearly-new ones outside dealerships never seem to have any - do dealers just assume that people don't want 'em when they register new vehicles?

I have rarely if ever seen a Union flag or St George cross that wasn't an aftermarket addition. Unlike some countries (eastern Europe particularly) we don't seem to have a culture of displaying any national symbols on your license plates. Almost all older cars still extant in Slovakia, Romania or Hungary have the national shield or a flag where the EU tag is now.

I think this is more down to foreign cars on their roads/their cars being on foreign roads being more normal.
When your country is the size of Wales and has land borders with a bunch of other countries it is bound to happen.
In the UK though people who drive their cars abroad are even now a minority; as are foreign cars in Britain.

[LtBk]

Originally Posted by Justme

No, they don't have to be the same. UK license plates are still in the majority Yellow, which differs from other countries, and each country plates do look different.

The only thing about the EU here, is a tiny tag at the edge of a unique license plate that designates the country. This is the same that all US plates must have the name of the State written on them, so you can tell if it's a California license plate, or Texas one, or in the case of Europe, it can easily be seen if it is German, Italian or British.

The fact most European plates look boring, is the fault of each country which has far stricter controls on the plates than most countries outside of Europe, i.e. you have no real "personalized" plates in Europe (where you can use any combination of letters and numbers) unlike pretty much everywhere else. This has nothing to do with the EU, but the individual national governments.

Most license plates worldwide are "boring" including the US ones.