HL Deb 19 February 2001 vol 622 cc81-2WA
Lord Shore of Stepney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the existing European Union regulations that determine the design, location and content of vehicle registration plates; and whether new regulations are due to come into effect later this year. [HL660]

Lord Whitty

The design and content of number plates generally are dealt with by member states' domestic legislation. New UK regulations on the display of vehicle number plates are due to be laid before Parliament shortly to take effect later this year. These will update the existing regulations and introduce a new mandatory character font, British Standard, registration format and allow the voluntary use of the Euro-symbol.

Two Directives (70/222/EEC and 93/94/EEC, as amended by 99/26/EC) affect the location of rear vehicle registration plates. Council Regulation (EC) No. 2.411/98, which provides for the recognition of distinguishing signs on number plates as an alternative to the requirements of the 1968 Vienna Convention, regulates the design of the distinguishing signs, including the optional use of the Euro-symbol. for use on number plates.