Update from the horses mouths at the DVLA The answer is a simple NO. (see copy&pasted) reply to my email from them below.gonk1959 wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 1:32 pmThanks l3radyl3rady wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 12:58 pmI'm no expert on it, and everything I have seen online comes up with mixed opinions on whether a custom graphic in the badge area is road legal or not. I see a lot of cars out there with custom badges showing sports teams and car makes, invalid letter spacing and using the wrong font and seem to get away for it. One thing is though that when you come to MOT, depending on who does your car they may fail you because of the custom graphic.gonk1959 wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 10:33 am Hi l3rady
Many thanks for your reply. Very interesting reading, very much appreciated. Yes they actually say on their "design a plate" that they will show their ID bottom right automatically UNLESS the customer ticks a box telling them not too. My plates have their ID stamped on plate.
So the fact I have album artwork where country flag is could still mean its illegal despite manufactures ID stamp on plate?
Personally, from what I've read online, I would think those plates are fine to put on but just be prepared to change them to some bog standard ones when the first MOT comes around.
I've got a custom plate for my new car on the way, and when getting it made, I made sure it's 100% legal with no grey areas, as the consequences for illegal plates is that your custom registration is taken away from you. Don't want to risk losing it when it cost about £400.
Yes a bit of a grey area. I also heard a hefty fine as well as your cherished plate being confiscated. Not sure I want to take the risk? brought the reg about 10yrs ago for £600 and not worth the risk over a bit of custom graphics. Looking like wall art for my shed sigh.
Thank you for your enquiry received on 10/5/2019.
Your case reference number is 01472540.
I appreciate you contacting DVLA to seek clarification on the matter.
If you want to, you can display a GB national flag with the letters ‘GB’ on the far left of the number plate.
The flags you can choose from are:
the Union Jack
St George’s cross
the Scottish saltire
the Red Dragon of Wales
The letters you can choose from are:
Great Britain or GB
United Kingdom or UK
ENGLAND, England, ENG or Eng
SCOTLAND, Scotland, SCO or Sco
CYMRU, Cymru, CYM or Cym
WALES or Wales
Although number plates displaying these national flags and letters would be legal when travelling outside the United Kingdom, they are not acceptable for identification purposes.
To meet international requirements, when travelling outside the United Kingdom, the oval GB sticker would also need to be displayed (displaying the European symbol removes the need for this sticker when you are travelling within Europe).
You're not allowed to display any other flag or symbol, and these requirements only apply to vehicles registered in England, Scotland and Wales. For vehicles registered in Northern Ireland, the only symbol that can be displayed is the European logo.
Further information on the display of number plates can be found in the INF104.
I'm sorry I have not been able to provide a more favourable response. If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.