Football-loving Brits need to be careful about how they fly the England flag - or they could face hefty fines or points on their driving licence, it has been reported.
The St George's Cross can often be found stuck to cars, especially on match days across the nation. But some motorists are unaware of important rules when it comes to flying these flags. It cannot be displayed in a way that could obstruct the vision of a driver.
If this happens, the motorist with the flag could be in big trouble. Any flag put up must not obstruct the driver’s view of any windows or rear-view mirrors, as this could lead to accidents.
The flag could also obstruct other drivers' views or create an unnecessary distraction for other motorists. Police are able to remove your flag if it is proving unsafe for other drivers. They can also give you a fine or points on your license, according to the Daily Express.
In some cases, any of the above offences could land you with a fine up to £1,000, or potentially three points on your licence. Prior to the laws being relaxed in 2010, it was possible to be fined up to £2,500 for a flag-related faux pas.
For those wanting to display the flag on their properties, no planning permission is required. As long as the flag is within the homeowner's boundaries, it can be displayed.
But if a flag partially blocks a neighbours' windows, residents have the right to ask for it to be removed - if the homeowner refuses, neighbours can report them to the local planning enforcement officer.
A Government spokesperson said: “There is no specific law against flying a flag from your vehicle. We would simply encourage motorists to use their common sense to ensure their vision of the road isn’t impaired, and that it doesn’t jeopardise the safety of other road users.
“We shouldn’t hide our national flags which are a source of pride and identity. We anticipate that streets, cars and houses will be decorated with England flags during the Euros football tournament this summer.”