The truth about ‘flag fines on cars’ during Euro 2024

Social media users shared a post on X which claimed people “could be fined for flying the England flag during Euro 2024”. But the post didn’t say the fines are only for people who fly a flag — of any kind — from their car in a way that obstructs the driver’s view.

The law prohibits objects that would obscure the driver’s vision or cause danger to pedestrians or other road users.

Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations states: “Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that the driver thereof, while in control of the vehicle, has at all times a full view of the road and traffic in front of the motor vehicle . .”

Government guidance from 2010 said: “It is not a specific offense to display a flag on a vehicle and most vehicle flags currently on sale are legal provided they are fitted to the vehicle in a reasonable manner.

“However, the following points are worth noting: Flags that are so large that they obscure the driver’s view of traffic in front of the vehicle may contravene Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

“Flags which are constructed or positioned in such a way as to endanger pedestrians or other road users may contravene Regulation 53 or 100 of the above regulations.”