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Personalized license plates rejected by the Indiana BMV

Posted at 4:29 PM, Aug 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-13 16:29:55-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- The freedom to personalize your own license plate number can be a fun experience, but not every submission makes the cut.

The Indiana BMV has to decline requests for certain inappropriate material or just confusing license plate messages.

Here's a list the BMV recently provided of some of the license plate requests they've denied (NOTE: some of them are vulgar):

5HITBOX
DPIMPIN
CD5NUT5
ISESIS
IDGAFUK
VBR8TR
POOPING
EFFYOU
PHAT AZZ
8B8BB8B (confusing/misleading for law enforcement)
SWASTIK
SUHKIT
DRTYHO
GLOCK 45 (trademark)
LYNCHIN
B1G W4NG
ANAZI
JCKDNL 7 (trademark)

The BMV says a personalized license plate message may only contain a combination of numbers (0 – 9) and letters (A – Z).

The following character requirements and restrictions apply to a PLP message request:

  • The message must contain at least two characters (e.g. AA; Z1).
  • The message may contain spaces entered between any combination of numbers and letters (e.g. AA*99*Z1). Asterisk (*) indicates a space but is not printed on the license plate

The message cannot:

  • Contain special characters (e.g. &; #; $; @; ( ); !; etc.).
  • Contain numbers only.
  • Contain more than one consecutive space (e.g. AA**9**B).
  • Duplicate the alpha/number format of any other BMV issued license plate.

The BMV may refuse to issue a message that:

  • Carries a connotation offensive to good taste and decency;
  • Would be misleading; or
  • The bureau otherwise considers improper for issuance

If your request is denied, you will receive a denial letter in the mail which will require you to select one of the following alternate license plate options:

  • Register a standard license plate of the same plate type that you purchased with your initial request.
  • The fee paid at time of reservation will be refunded to you.
  • Select an alternate message
  • The fee paid at time of reservation will be applied to your alternate selection.
  • The denial will become final unless a written request for an administrative review is received by the BMV within 18 days after the date of the denial letter.