Editor’s Note: This article may contain words or allusions to words and themes that are offensive or explicit.
Some Texas motorists pay for the privilege to proclaim whatever it is they wish to proclaim on the 12-inch by six-inch aluminum plate bolted to their bumper -- as long as the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles approves the message. For a mere $150, they can broadcast their passions, hobbies, or sometimes, just their quirky sense of humor to the world.
But not all messages get the green light from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Good, the bad, and the hilarious
In the first 11 months of 2023, the Texas DMV discarded a staggering 3,095 specialty license plate applications, including those deemed offensive, inappropriate, or just downright bizarre. Among the rejects were “CULTLDR,” “MOOOOV,” “IGOTTA*P,” and “NAWTI.”
Offensive, inappropriate, and just plain weird
The DMV is no stranger to rejecting messages that fall under various unsuitable categories. Whether it’s offensive language, references to race, ethnicity, gender, or explicit content, the department has a strict set of guidelines to maintain decency on the road.
Last year, plates like “5HITSHO,” “GT NKD,” “H82BEU,” and “FASTSFK” found themselves on the chopping block. The DMV also puts its foot down on violence, illegal activities, drugs, and any negative commands directed at fellow motorists, as exemplified by the rejected plates “J8LBR8K,” “COKED,” “G3TOV3R,” “GIT BACK,” and “MUV OVER.”
Rejected vanity plates: A glimpse of the cutting room floor
As we delved into the DMV’s records, we uncovered a treasure trove of rejected vanity plates that ranged from the amusing to the outright eyebrow-raising. Some notable mentions include “GOOON,” “EW KAREN,” “HRDTKLL,” and “OK NERD.”
Here are a few more rejects that caught our eye:
- GOOON
- EW KAREN
- HELZYEH
- HRDTKLL
- OK NERD
- TXASFUK
- KILL PPL
- YULLOOZ
- CREEPER
- 0 PHKS
- 2 JUICED
- RU NRVS
- EL YEAH
- UR2SLOO
- DALLSUX
- SLAY BAE
- WHTPRVL
- CWBYH8R
- URR MOM
- RUN AMOK
- LOLUSLO
- 0K K4REN
Why the Texas DMV says “No”
To maintain a semblance of decorum on the roads, the Texas DMV has strict guidelines regarding personalized plates. These include avoiding indecent or vulgar content, anything derogatory, references to illegal activities, and even negative instructions directed at others on the road.
Here are the agency’s vanity plate guidelines and restrictions:
1. The pattern conflicts with a current or proposed pattern featured on other license plates issued by the state.
2. The pattern is considered objectionable or misleading or could be viewed directly or indirectly as:
- Indecent, including a reference to a sexual act; sexual body parts; excretory or bodily fluids or functions; or a “69″ format not used in combination with a vehicle make;
- Vulgar (swear or curse words);
- Derogatory (words that belittle, demean, or disparage any person, group, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or associated with an organization that advocates such expressions);
- Referring to race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, whether the reference is derogatory or not;
- An illegal activity (including gangs, violence, implied threats of harm, or expressions that describe, advertise, advocate, promote, encourage, glorify, or condone violence, crime or unlawful conduct);
- An illegal drug or a controlled substance, or the physiological state produced by such substances, intoxicated states, or expressions that describe, advertise, advocate, promote, encourage, or glorify such items or states;
- A representation of, or reference to, law enforcement, military branches, or other governmental entities and their titles. This includes any reference or acronym for law enforcement, military branches, public or official governmental office, position, or status; or law enforcement or military rank or status. A personalized plate pattern that refers to a publicly or privately funded college or university is allowed.
- A pattern set aside exclusively for use on military or other restricted use license plates (like DV for Disabled Veterans).
View all the Texas DMV’s personalized license plate guidelines and restrictions here.
The personalized plates rejected by the Texas DMV in 2023
This is a list of vanity plate combinations the Texas DMV rejected between January and November of 2023.
Warning: the following document contains words and phrases that or offensive or explicit.
View the personalized plates the Texas DMV rejected in 2021 and 2022.
The next time you’re brainstorming for a personalized license plate in Texas, remember to keep it classy – or risk joining the ranks of the rejected and, often, absurdly entertaining license plates that never made it past the cutting room floor. Happy motoring, Texas!
