Many Texans have decided that unique, fun and creative license plates are an excellent way to express themselves on the road. However, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has rejected over 200 personalized license plates in 2024. The DMV has decided to ban these license plates due to violation of state policy; however, the type of license plates that are being rejected could very well surprise you. Certain license plates won’t make the cut in Texas any longer.
Reasons for license plates getting banned in Texas
According to the Texas DMV, the review processes for personalized plates has become far stricter. Last year, any license plate that contained message that were vulgar, misleading, or promoted violence, drugs, or discrimination were automatically denied. The DMV now utilizes a lengthy list of guidelines to determine what could be interpreted as offensive, confusing, or inappropriate, even if it might not be considered explicit.
There is a specialized committee that reviews hundreds of proposed plate names that were submitted by drivers. License plate names that get flagged up by an automated systems or those that committee members label as potentially violating get automatically rejected. License plates that include abbreviations, acronyms, or alternative spellings that hint at profanity, lewd behavior, or other controversial messages may also be flagged up as inappropriate.
By some coincidence, last year the highest number of plates that were rejected in the year was in June and July. Approximately 255 license plates were rejected in each month last year. Whether the month where most rejections occur is indicative of something or not, citizens must be aware of which type of license plates make the cut and which ones don’t.
Types of plates that don’t make the cut
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ policy on license plates states that there are many rejected plates that have been turned down for a good reason. Certain number plates that were rejected included:
- “PLZZZ GO” which sounds overly aggressive in traffic.
- “DRG LORD” was likely to be rejected due to the implication of drug-related content.
- “CAT L4DY,” which appears innocent at first glance may have been turned down due to the spelling being suggestive or misleading.
The above-mentioned customized license plates are just a few that have been turned down, other license plates that don’t make the cut include:
- “NAWTE” – Possibly flagged as suggestive.
- “QWKLICK” – Flagged as it could be misread or misinterpreted.
- “FREEYSL” – Possibly rejected due to reference of controversial pop culture or legal issues.
- “GO AHRND” – Might be seen as provoking other drivers.
- “CHKNBTT” – Rejected due to a perceived innuendo.
While Illinois has recently passed a bill that could increase personalized license plates, Texans may be deciding against personalized license plates due to the DMV.
DMV now has digital eyes
While a clever joke in the form of a license plate may have sneaked past through the eyes of a DMV clerk, DMV’s digital screening systems that is used alongside a proficient team of reviewers means that each license plate request is severely scrutinized. Plates that seem relatively fine at first glance might be decoded differently by software designed to flag potential red flags in terms of character combinations and abbreviations.
The overall goal of the DMV
Although Texas is not the only state that has imposed stricter license plate policies, the rejection list for license plate requests is rapidly growing due to far more sophisticated technology and a stronger emphasis on public image. The DMV’s overall goal is to get citizens to adopt a more respectful and neutral tone on public roads, however, to the expense of creative, humorous, or niche messages.
Citizens in Texas wishing to avoid rejection must ensure their license plate idea is clean, clear and can easily be interpreted. Texas roads will be better when all citizens are on the same page as the DMV. Citizens should also stay aware of license plate changes in all state as NYC license plates will be changing too.
