News: British driving licences to fly Union Jack

DRIVING LICENCES in Britain will feature the Union Jack, under plans announced today by the government.

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Claire Perry, the transport minister responsible for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), said that after the rule change anyone applying for a licence or changing their personal details will be issued with a licence card that will feature the British flag. The changes will apply to motorists in England, Scotland and Wales.

“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,” Perry explained. “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 UK driving licence has displayed the EU flag since the photocard was introduced in July 1998, since when 127m cards have been issued. A mock-up of the new licence has both flags on it.

An official date for the introduction of the new licence has yet to be revealed but the change is part of a number of amendments to the DVLA service, which include the scrapping of the paper tax disc and the phasing-out of the paper counterpart of UK driving licences, which was recently delayed.

The DVLA has also introduced a service that allows the public to check the information held in their driving record.