In celebration of our great nation’s birth, or just as a general act of patriotism, many American motorists choose to display the Stars and Stripes as a decal or an actual flag on their truck. Some automakers have released special editions of their trucks that already have the flag displayed in the appropriate way, like Dodge Dakota, but for those who’d like to add their own flags, it’s good to know the proper etiquette.
These specific rules and best practices for flying the American flag should be considered before you place your decals, stickers, or fabric flags, so we’ve put together some simple guidelines for you with thanks to the American Legion and several flag dealers that publish rules of flag etiquette.
Rules for Displaying
- A single flag should fly from the right (passenger) side of the truck. If two flags are displayed, it’s okay to put one on each side, but they should be mounted at the same height and be hung in the same way.
- The flag should be displayed with the stars in the upper left-hand corner, with an important exception. A flag displayed on the passenger side of a truck should show the stars at the upper right-hand corner. Isn’t that backward? It is, but the reason is that the field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. On a vehicle that moves, that would be closest to the front, as shown in the photo above.
- When flown adjacent to a state flag or another type of flag, the American flag should take the marching right position. When flown or displayed along with other flags, no other flag should be larger, and the American flag should take the center position and be the highest flag flown.
USA Flag Sticker
There’s no shortage of flag stickers out there, but this one is better because it’s proportional in shape to an actual flag, not squished into a three-by-five frame. Reviewers post images of how good this looks on (universally) their pickup trucks and praise its durability.
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American Flag Decals for Trucks
Here’s a set of four decals so that you can display the flag on both sides of your car in the proper way. We think these would look great on the back of a truck or SUV, too.
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Fade-Resistant American Flag with Flag Pole Mount
This is a good one for your trailer. It comes with a pole and mount; just remember to make sure it’s mounted at the center of the back of your vehicle, or to the right if it’s displayed along with other flags.
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American Flag Waving Magnet
For more of an amber-waves-of-grain look, here’s a magnetic flag that appears to be in motion. This one should not go on the passenger side as the stars would be in the wrong position, so it’s best suited for the rear of the truck.
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U.S. Flag – Hooks onto Car Window
For parades or other festive occasions, this nylon two-sided flag hooks into your second row of windows temporarily. Remember that unless you’re flying them on both sides of the truck, the single flag should be passenger-side mounted.
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Flag Pole to Go for Trucks
For an ultimate (and, we imagine, temporary) vehicular flag display, run this one up the flagpole. Three-by-five-foot flag (or larger) not included.
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More about flag etiquette at caranddriver.com.
