Adding a flag is one of the most popular ways to personalise a number plate – and it's completely legal, as long as you stick to the approved designs.
Which flags are allowed?
You can display one of these national flags on the left-hand side of the plate:
- The Union flag – with "UK" or "United Kingdom"
- The Red Dragon of Wales – with "CYM", "Cymru" or "Wales"
- The Saltire (Cross of St Andrew) – with "SCO", "Scot" or "Scotland"
- The Cross of St George – with "ENG" or "England"
The flag sits above the letters in a band on the left of the plate. Other flags, football club badges, logos and symbols aren't allowed on road-legal plates.
At Rogue Automotive we offer UK with the Union flag, CYM with the Welsh flag and SCO with the Saltire, plus the green flash for zero-emission vehicles.
The green flash
Since December 2020, zero-emission vehicles – fully electric cars and vans – can show a green band on the left of their plates. It helps them be recognised for local incentives such as cheaper parking or access to clean-air zones. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids aren't eligible.
What about "GB"?
"GB" plates are no longer valid for driving abroad. Since 28 September 2021 the UK identifier has replaced GB. If your plate shows "UK" (with or without the Union flag) you won't need a separate sticker in most countries – but some countries, including Spain, Cyprus and Malta, still ask for a UK sticker. Always check GOV.UK before you travel. Plates with GB, a Euro symbol, or a national flag such as the Saltire or Red Dragon still need a UK sticker abroad.
Does a flag change the plate size?
A flag band takes up space on the left, so the registration needs a little more width to keep full-size, correctly spaced characters. On a standard 520mm plate that's not a problem for most registrations. Our builder works out the space for you – and any border goes around the registration only, not the flag.
Flags on show plates
Show plates can carry the same flags and the green band. They're for off-road use only – see Show plates.
Find out what else is allowed in UK number plate rules explained.