Introduction to Vanity License Plates
Vanity license plates have become a popular way for car owners to personalize their vehicles and express their individuality. However, the issuance of these plates is regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure that they do not contain offensive or inappropriate content.
The Approval Process
The California DMV is required by law to review all requests for personalized license plates and ensure that the configurations being approved are permissible under the California Vehicle Code and the California Code of Regulations. According to Katarina Snow, a DMV spokesperson, the majority of personalized license plate requests are approved. However, there are certain guidelines that must be followed, including:
- The plate cannot have a sexual or scatological reference.
- No profanity or obscenity is allowed.
- No nod to ethnicity, religion, or sexual identity is permitted.
- No configuration suggesting violence or breaking the law is acceptable.
Reporting Offensive Plates
If a person encounters a license plate that they find offensive, they can request that it be reconsidered and possibly revoked by writing to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Policy Division; P.O. Box 825393; Sacramento, Ca. 94232-5393. This process has been used in the past to revoke plates that were deemed offensive, such as the plate "IAMISIS" issued to Isis Wharton of Orangevale. Wharton was told by the DMV that she would be receiving new plates unless she successfully appealed.
Reconsideration and Appeals
The DMV’s decision to revoke a license plate can be appealed by the owner. In the case of Jonathan Kotler, a USC media-law associate professor, the DMV initially denied his request for the plate "COYW", which translates to "Come On You Whites". Kotler argued that the phrase was a cheer for his favorite soccer team, Fulham, which wears white jerseys. The matter ended up in federal court, with Kotler ultimately being granted the right to use the plate.
Other Issues with License Plates
In addition to issues with offensive content, there have been questions about the storage of K-rail along the northbound 73 Toll Road near the Aliso Creek Road exit. According to a Caltrans spokesman, the K-rail was used in a previous project on the 73 and is now being stored in the area until it is needed for a project on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Conclusion
Vanity license plates can be a fun and creative way for car owners to express themselves, but they must be issued in accordance with the guidelines set by the DMV. If a person encounters a plate that they find offensive, they can request that it be reconsidered and possibly revoked. The DMV’s decision to revoke a plate can be appealed, and the process has been used in the past to resolve disputes over plate content.
FAQs
- Q: Can a vanity license plate be revoked if it is deemed offensive?
A: Yes, the DMV can revoke a license plate if it is deemed offensive or inappropriate. - Q: How can I report an offensive license plate?
A: You can report an offensive license plate by writing to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Policy Division; P.O. Box 825393; Sacramento, Ca. 94232-5393. - Q: Can I appeal the DMV’s decision to revoke my license plate?
A: Yes, you can appeal the DMV’s decision to revoke your license plate. - Q: What are the guidelines for issuing vanity license plates?
A: The guidelines for issuing vanity license plates include: - No sexual or scatological references
- No profanity or obscenity
- No references to ethnicity, religion, or sexual identity
- No configurations suggesting violence or breaking the law
Q: Dear Professor Honk: I saw this license plate today in Fountain Valley with a thinly veiled curse word and a politician’s name. Of course it’s popular to hate some politicians, but is it really appropriate to allow people to have an obvious reference to a curse word on their California, government-issued license plate? Is there a way to report this to the Department of Motor Vehicles as offensive?
– Paul Crocker, Ladera Ranch
A: Paul sent over the photo, and the plate looks real, except it is missing the registration tags.
There’s no way it’s a real one from the DMV, though — the vulgar message is too apparent and directed at someone.
“The California DMV is required by law to review all requests for personalized license plates and ensure the configurations being approved are permissible under the California Vehicle Code and the California Code of Regulations,” Katarina Snow, a DMV spokesperson, told Honk in an email. “The majority of personalized license plate requests are approved.”
She forwarded nine no-no’s, including:
• The plate can’t have a sexual or scatological reference.
• No profanity or obscenity.
• No nod to ethnicity, religion or sexual identity.
• No configuration suggesting violence or breaking the law.
Those seeing a plate they find offensive can request that it be reconsidered and possibly yanked from the streets by writing: Department of Motor Vehicles, Policy Division; P.O. Box 825393; Sacramento, Ca. 94232-5393.
In fact, that appears to have happened over license plates issued in 2022: “IAMISIS.”
Isis Wharton of Orangevale, which is east of Sacramento, was recently told by the DMV she is getting new plates unless she successfully appeals. Some could take her plates to mean, “I am Islamic State of Iraq and Syria,” or ISIS, considered a terrorist group by the U.S.
She points out that she is Isis.
It has gone the other way, too.
Jonathan Kotler, a USC media-law associate professor, wanted “COYW” on his plates; that translates to “Come On You Whites.”
Kotler only wanted to root for his Fulham soccer team in London. That phrase is a cheer for the club, which wears white jerseys.
The DMV said no, and the matter ended up in federal court — with Kotler getting his plates.
Q: Hi Honk: What’s with this K-rail stockpiled along the northbound 73 Toll Road near the Aliso Creek Road exit? Has been piled up like this for years.
– Mike Jasieiwcz, Laguna Niguel
A: A Caltrans spokesman says the K-rail was used in a previous project on the 73 — to protect equipment and workers making improvements from adjacent traffic — that was completed in November 2024. The K-rail is now to head to the Pacific Coast Highway in several weeks.
“Caltrans determined it was more efficient to store the K-rail in the SR-73 staging area, rather than moving all (the) K-rail back into storage, then to the PCH project,” said Nathan Abler, a spokesperson for the agency.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
