Drivers fined £1,000 for reversing with England flag on car during Euro 2025 final

Drivers are being warned they could be hit with a £1,000 fine for flying an England flag from their cars during the Euro 2025 final this weekend if they do so in a way which inadvertently breaks the rules of the road.

With the England women storming to the final on Sunday against Spain, it means the country is just one game away from seeing the Lionesses defend their European title and lift the Euro 2025 trophy, just a few years after their Euro 2022 victory.

At times like these, the St George's Cross is often plastered across cars with flags being waved from wing mirrors, roofs and in windows.

Rules governing items on or in cars from the Highway Code are strict about anything which has potential to distract a driver or stop them from having a good view of the road.

This isn't just looking out through the windscreen, but items which potentially obscure blind spots and make it difficult to see when reversing too, leading to an accident caused by a flag blocking your view when backing up.

The Highway Code states in Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use: "Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that the driver thereof while controlling the vehicle can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle."

Any flag put up must not obstruct the driver's view of any windows or rear-view mirrors and if an accident is caused where a flag is found to be a factor, you could be in real trouble.

The maximum fine is up to £1,000 and there could be three points on your licence too.

Legal experts Bartletts solicitors have information available about the rules on drivers being distracted at the wheel. They said: "A driver is distracted when they are not paying full attention to the road, which can be for a wide variety of reasons, including something they see (visual), hear (auditory) or think (cognitive). There may also be a physical distraction that causes them to take their hands off the steering wheel and subsequently lose control of their vehicle.

"Drivers may be distracted visually if they are talking to a passenger in their vehicle or if they are looking at something they are driving past. They may also take their eyes off the road if they are changing music, adjusting their sat nav, looking at a map, eating or drinking, or lighting a cigarette, all actions which can also involve a driver taking at least one hand off the steering wheel.

"Research indicates that eating or drinking while driving doubles the risk of an accident occurring, and, similar to smoking, eating and drinking are mental as well as physical distractions. Children, and babies in particular, are a common form of distraction for parents while driving, as they will often have to turn their heads to deal with whatever is happening in the back of their vehicle.

"Inattention and distraction is one of the main causes of road traffic accidents, with one authoritative US study finding that it was at least a contributory factor in almost 80% of the accidents analysed. Being able to establish that a driver was distracted and not paying proper attention to the road prior to an accident can be an important factor in establishing responsibility and hence legal liability. If you have been involved in a road traffic accident that you believe was caused by another driver being distracted for whatever reason, get in touch with our specialist solicitors who will be able to advise and guide you through the claims process."