Union flag to be shown on driving licences

P eople in the UK can rightly take pride in our national flag which is now to be displayed on British driving licences.

British driving licences are to feature the Union Jack as well as the current European Union flag under plans announced today.

Ministers said the changes meant that UK motorists will be able to 'fly the flag with pride' on the photo-card element of their licence. 

The European Union flag alone has been displayed on full driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998.

Ministers feel that the driving licence is, alongside the passport, the single most widely used identity document in the UK and that it is an anomaly that the card is dominated by an EU flag.

They are using an upgrade to the licences - which will now include a microchip - as an opportunity to change its design.

An EU directive passed in 2006 requires the EU flag to be on the driving licence as part of the single market, but permits other symbols to be on the card.

The inclusion of union flags on licences is 'one of a number of improvements being made for motorists'.

On 25 October this year, the DVLA announced a dramatic drop in licence fees for those who apply online.
In the interests of reducing unnecessary red tape, since October 1 this year the paper tax disc is no more and motorists can pay their vehicle tax by direct debit. 

From June 8 next year the paper counterpart of the photocard licence will no longer be required.
The DVLA has also introduced a service to allow the public to check the most up to date information on their driving record.