In Texas, personalizing your vehicle with a custom license plate is a popular way to make a statement or show off your personality. However, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has strict guidelines in place to ensure that messages displayed on these plates are appropriate for all drivers. While Texans enjoy the freedom to choose their plate messages, the DMV has recently rejected over 2,300 custom plates for 2024 due to inappropriate content.
Why are custom Texas license plates rejected?
Texas residents are allowed to create custom license plates with personalized alphanumeric combinations. However, the state’s DMV has specific rules about what is acceptable. Custom plates that contain language or imagery that could be considered offensive, vulgar, derogatory, or otherwise inappropriate will be rejected.
The DMV uses a team to review all requests and looks for messages that could be read as indecent, sexually explicit, or hateful. The rejection process helps ensure that messages on public roads do not offend others or convey harmful messages.
Additionally, the DMV does not allow license plates that could be read as instructions or commands to other drivers. A message like “GO AHEAD” or “HURRY UP” would not pass the review process, as it could cause confusion or provoke unnecessary interactions on the road. Even if a plate is meant to be funny or clever, it still needs to comply with the state’s guidelines.
A glimpse at the rejected plates
In 2024, over 2,300 custom plates were rejected by the Texas DMV. Some of the messages were undoubtedly clever, but they didn’t quite pass the line of decency. Below is a list of some of the most notable rejected plates:
- ❤ MYH8RS
- 1FELONY
- 2EZ2SPD
- 4FS YALL
- 5NIPER
- ADVNTR7
- BAM LAM
- CKNBUTT
- DUMBGUY
- EF YEAH
- EV SUCKS
Many of the rejected plates feature offensive language, references to illegal activities, or crude humor. For instance, “❤ MYH8RS” plays off a message of hate, while “1FELONY” references a criminal charge. Others, like “R3DNCK” and “M3NAC3,” are offensive terms that could be seen as insulting or derogatory to certain groups of people.
Even some seemingly harmless plates were rejected for reasons tied to public safety or appropriateness. Plates like “2EZ2SPD” or “GO AHRND” could encourage reckless driving behavior, while “H4WKTUA” and “SKIBIDV” may be too obscure for the DMV to interpret as acceptable under the guidelines.
The role of the Texas DMV in license plate rejections
The rejection of these custom plates serves as a reminder that, while Texans have a lot of freedom when it comes to customizing their vehicles, the DMV’s role is to ensure that those messages don’t cross the line into inappropriate territory. The DMV’s staff uses a combination of common sense, rules, and guidelines to make these decisions.
Texans who have their custom plate requests rejected can appeal the decision or submit a new plate request. While it can be frustrating for some, the goal is to maintain a level of decorum on the state’s roads and prevent harmful messages from being displayed publicly. While drivers can continue to personalize their plates, they must be mindful of the state’s restrictions to ensure their custom message doesn’t end up on the rejected list.
If you’re planning to get a custom plate in Texas, it’s essential to remember that the message should be both creative and respectful, keeping within the boundaries of the state’s guidelines. The next time you’re in the DMV, think twice about your plate’s message—it could be the difference between a personalized plate or a rejected one.
If you’re unsure whether your chosen message meets the criteria, it’s always a good idea to review the guidelines or consult with the DMV beforehand to avoid disappointment. Additionally, remember to keep yourself informed on any new guidelines your local government may have on traffic and driving laws.
