Responding to my earlier posting about Craig Murray flying the flag on his car before presenting his credentials, a reader helpfully points us to some detailed guidance on the issue: https://flagspot.net/flags/xf-dipl.html.

Thus:

The only still-relevant mention of flag usage by diplomats is Article 20 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In it, it is affirmed that diplomatic missions and their heads, (ie., most often Ambassadors or High Commissioners), have the right to use their nation’s flag and emblem on the premises of the diplomatic mission, (ie., the Chancery), as well as at the Head of Mission’s official residence. It also affirms the Head of Mission’s right to display his flag on his/her means of transport, (note: NOT just cars).

That’s all there is as far as the letter-of-the-law is concerned. With regard to generally accepted practice, (i.e., unwritten conventions), the following may be asserted.

The Head of Mission’s right to fly a flag on his/her means of transport, is generally inherited by the Acting Head of Mission, (ie., "Charge d’affaires"), in the former’s absence, only when the Charge is making an official visit, (but the Head of Mission always flies the flag on his/her car, even when conducting unofficial — indeed, even mundane — business, such as shopping).

Fine. But until a new Ambassador has presented his/her credentials he/she in fact is not (yet) Head of Mission, and therefore not covered by this point?

Practice may vary from country to country. But Sweden is clear on one point:

Car flags

The national flag on the Head of Mission’s car should be flown at official functions only after the Head of Mission has presented his/her credentials.

Although this does not exactly cover the case when the new Ambassador is at unofficial functions, or indeed like Craig Murray driving to the Residence after first arriving in the country.

Does anyone out there have the right answer (a) in principle, and (b) for Uzbekistan if the practice there differs?