Rejected vanity plates: DMV screens out custom messages that go too far, violate state rules
The state Department of Motor Vehicles has a strict screening process for license plates. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
Sorry, B00KL0VR, you can’t get that personal license plate past the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, even if it is for your BATMOBI1.
Those two proposed plates are some of the tamer examples of more than 2,100 personalized license plates rejected last year by the state DMV that did not meet state guidelines.
The DMV has a strict screening process that rules out obviously obscene plates, including variations on a famous personalized plate by the character Kramer from a "Seinfeld" episode.
"The New York State DMV has a rigorous screening protocol for personalized license plate requests, rejecting any that are not in compliance with our regulations," DMV spokesman Walter McClure said in an email.
Personalized plates rejected by the DMV include:
B00KL0VR
BATMOBI1
PB4WEGOO
LOVRG1RL
D0.RAMI
DAMMMMMN
BYT3ME
WACKAD00
BISCOTT1
HEYYYYY
LMAOOOOO
IDNTLKU
OOHFAAH
G03IRDS
Y3AHHHHH
HAHAAHA
Aside from crude or obscene plates, vanity plates generally cannot use a number in place of a letter, such as using the numeral zero or one in place of letters O or I, such as the rejected GH05TMAN or HU1KSTER. Plates must be between two and eight characters long. They also cannot have only one letter or use the letter I at the end of a plate.
The DMV also does not allow personalized plates that may appear to be an official vehicle or from emergency responders. Plates rejected last year include AMITYFD1, NCPD141 and CDC. Sports fandom also is subject to these guidelines, as one eager Mets fan saw who attempted to personalize an obscene plate featuring player Juan Soto, or a member of the Buffalo Bills "Mafia" who tried to pass BILLSMF.
Personalized plates come with an additional $60 fee to the DMV for passenger vehicles or $35 for motorcycles, in addition to regular vehicle registration renewal fees.
Professional plates also can be ordered for various fields, including firefighters, doctors, nurses, dentists, teachers and media. Picture plates are available for veterans, organizations, causes and sports teams.
Available personalized plates can be searched on the DMV website.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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