Whether you decide to take your car; or you hire a vehicle when you arrive in England, you will be able to travel across the country safely in the knowledge that if you display a Sunflower sticker or magnet on your vehicle - National Highways traffic officers will ask what support you may need to help keep you safe if your vehicle has broken down or you require assistance on the roadside.
We teamed up with National Highways, who manage England's motorways and major A-roads, to create a free Sunflower for your vehicle. This Sunflower discreetly indicates that you or someone in your vehicle has a hidden disability and may need additional support. In many ways, someone's disability is always invisible in a vehicle. So anyone with a disability, hidden or visible, can display the Sunflower on their vehicle.
How the Sunflower helps road users in England
The Sunflower will indicate to roadside and emergency services in England that you or someone in your vehicle has an impairment which may not be visible.
National Highways traffic officers are often first on the scene in an emergency on England's motorways and major A-roads. Displaying the Sunflower sticker or magnet on the rear of your vehicle will indicate to traffic officers that you or someone in your vehicle has a non-visible disability. When a National Highways traffic officer sees the Sunflower on your vehicle, they'll ask what support you may need to help keep you safe.
They'll always:
Ask how they can help
Listen closely to what you tell them
Be kind and patient
Not judge, and treat you with respect
Displaying the Sunflower on your vehicle could mean you may need additional support with the following:
Understanding instructions and communicating your needs
Staying calm in a time of stress
Getting to a place of safety
Moving and recovering an adapted vehicle
Frequently asked questions
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Where should I display the Sunflower on my vehicle?
Display the Sunflower on the rear of your vehicle where it can be easily seen, in a position that won't obscure your view.
The Sunflower sticker is designed to last at least three years. It is intended to be applied to your vehicle's rear window and can be removed using a 70% alcohol solution (such as hand sanitiser). If applied to your vehicle's bodywork, it may cause colour discolouration.
The Sunflower magnet attaches to your vehicle's bodywork; you can choose to place it on your vehicle when you set off and remove it for safekeeping at the end of your journey.
Do I need to display the Sunflower on my vehicle?
No, you can choose whether to display the Sunflower on your vehicle. Having the Sunflower displayed on your vehicle will prompt National Highways traffic officers to ask about your needs if you get into trouble on a motorway or significant A-road in England.
What about Sunflower seatbelt covers?
National Highways traffic officers also recognise the use of the new Sunflower seatbelt covers and Sunflower lanyards and pin badges.
The National Highways Sunflower stickers, magnets, and other Sunflower items are available from our shop here.
Who can display a Sunflower on their vehicle?
Anyone with an invisible or visible impairment may need additional support if they break down or need assistance on the motorway or significant A-road in England.
Do you have to show evidence of an impairment to qualify for a Sunflower?
There are no requirements to show evidence of disability or any qualifying criteria.
Will traffic officers tell anyone else about my Sunflower?
With your consent, National Highways traffic officers will ensure that others on the scene are also aware of any additional support you may need. This could include the emergency and breakdown providers.
If I have a Sunflower on my vehicle, can I park in a disabled parking bay?
No, the Sunflower does not entitle people to park in a blue badge parking bay. To apply for a blue parking badge, click here.
Will people from other service providers who work on National Highways roads know what the Sunflower is for?
National Highways works with recovery operators and emergency services to manage incidents on England's motorways and major A-roads. We're working with these service providers to raise awareness of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower for vehicles, what it's for and what it signifies and the vehicle's occupants.
Will my Sunflower be recognised on other roads not operated by National Highways?
National Highways traffic officers have received training on what the Sunflower is for, what it signifies and how to respond. While other road operators may be aware of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, they may not have received the training yet.
How are National Highways helping Sunflower wearers?
If you want to learn more about how National Highways are helping Sunflower wearers, visit the National Highways website here.