5 October 1992

Doc. 6692

MOTION FOR A RECOMMENDATION

on country identification plates

presented by Mr F. PROBST and others


1.       Motor vehicles in all European countries should display white, oval-shaped stickers on the body of the vehicle bearing the national identification of the country they come from.

2.       However, border controls are becoming increasingly rare in Europe and, as a result, vehicles are frequently seen without stickers.

3.       As the number plates of the different countries are also becoming increasingly similar in appearance, it is difficult for executive officers in individual countries immediately to recognise the symbol and establish the identity of the driver.

4.       In a time of mass tourism, hit-and-run offences or crimes committed by non-citizens are frequent (crime tourism). It would be desirable for all governments to urge owners of motor vehicles to display the international symbol on their vehicles.

5.       The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers appeal to States to ensure that regulations on border crossings are adhered to and to introduce domestic regulations requiring drivers to display the international symbol in their own country so as to obviate the need for such checks at border crossings.

Signed:       F. PROBST, SCHIEDER, BAUER, L. FISCHER, ATKINSON, TERNAK, KÖNIG, BÜCHEL, DUNDEE, PANGALOS, PAHTAS