California Driver’s Controversial License Plate

A California driver obtained a specialized license plate that spells a prohibited word when viewed in a mirror.

DMV Regulations

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) states that personalized plates cannot be offensive or slang in any language. They also cannot interchange letters and numbers to mimic other plates or resemble existing ones. Despite these rules, the truck driver found a way to slip past them, as reported by Boing Boing.

Photo credit: Boing ​Boing

Personalization Options

Drivers can personalize plates with their unique combinations of letters, numbers, and characters. The DMV allows standard plates to have 2 to 7 characters. Additionally, other personalized plates may have varying character limits based on the chosen design.

Types of License Plates

California offers several types of plates:

• Special Interest Plates: These plates help fund various state projects and programs, including agriculture, the arts, coastal preservation, firefighters, pets, child health and safety, and conservation.
• Military Plates: These include plates for the Congressional Medal of Honor, Gold Star Family, Legion of Valor, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Ex-Prisoner of War, and Purple Heart. Veterans’ Organization plates are also available for those who wish to honor military service.
• Historical Plates: Available for vehicles built after 1922 that are at least 24 years old and of historical interest.

Photo credit: Boing ​Boing

The First License Plate

The first license plate in the United States was issued in 1901 after New York enacted a law requiring vehicle owners to register with the state. This law mandated that license plates display the owner’s initials in letters at least three inches high. George F. Chamberlain received this first license plate.