London Mayor Sadiq Khan has not specifically banned taxi drivers from flying England flags during Euro 2024

What is the claim?

Multiple social media posts have claimed that London Mayor Sadiq Khan has banned all taxi drivers from displaying the flag of England during Euro 2024, a European football championship. 

One such Facebook post claims, "The Islamic Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has banned London cabbies from flying the England flag during the Euro football tournament. He takes great delight however, in spending tax payers money on every Muslim celebration throughout the year. Do you see what's happening yet?" An archived version of this and other posts can be viewed here and here. 

The claim was widely shared across X (formerly Twitter), and the archived links can be found here, here, and here.

Screenshot of viral posts circulating on social media. (Source: X/Facebook/screenshot/modified by Logically Facts)

However, we found that restrictions apply to all flags, not just the English flag, due to road safety concerns. These rules are enforced at all times, not only during football tournaments.

What did we find? 

A spokesperson for Transport for London (TFL), the local government body responsible for most of the transport network in London, told Logically Facts, "The rules apply to all signage, including flags, and are not specific to the St George's Cross or any other national flags." 

TFL released guidelines for displaying stickers and official signs on London taxis in 2016. The guidelines state that only Taxi and Private Hire (TPH) approved signage, such as information about card payment, license, and CCTV, can be exhibited on cabs, ensuring it does not affect passenger comfort or visual amenities and complies with the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

Regulation 30 of the 1986 act states that drivers must have a full view of the road and traffic ahead. Similarly, a rule implemented since May 1, 2010, available on the U.K. Government website, clarifies that while flying a flag on a vehicle is not a specific offense, flags obstructing the driver's view violate Regulation 30. Flags posing a danger to pedestrians or other road users could also breach Regulations 53 or 100, which cover safety rules for displaying mascots and maintaining vehicle safety.

Screenshot of the guideline on flags. (Source:U.K.Government website/Screenshot)

Additionally, the TPH Vehicle Licensing Inspection Manual (refer to pages number 30 and 38), most recently updated in 2018, states that taxis should display only approved advertising materials, signage, and stickers according to TfL guidelines. It also specifies that signage and advertising graphics must not obscure any obligatory lamps or TfL signage and stickers.

Screenshot of the TPH manual. (Source: Transport for London/Screenshot)

Does the London Mayor have the power to ban flags?

Furthermore, the TfL spokesperson also told us, "Decisions regarding the licensing and regulation of taxis and private hire vehicles in London are made by TFL, not the Mayor. For the safety of all passengers and drivers, guidelines dictate what can be displayed in or on these vehicles." The spokesperson added, "Only official signs and stickers are permitted; any other signage, including flags, is not allowed due to safety concerns."

A Telegraph report from April 22, 2024, noted that in 2012, the Government introduced rules highlighting the safety risks of cars flying flags, such as distracting other drivers. This change enabled councils to ban taxis from flying flags.

Moreover, older reports from 2004, 2010, and 2023 confirm that bans on flags on taxis have been introduced over the decades, reiterating that this rule was not recently introduced by Sadiq Khan.

Logically Facts also contacted the London Mayor's office. We will update the check with a response as and when we receive it. 

The verdict

The rules on flags do not single out the English flag and are not specific to Euro 2024. Therefore, we mark this claim as misleading.