Every vehicle has a license plate, typically a random combination of letters and numbers, but drivers can pay extra for a personalized or “vanity” plate. These plates allow drivers to create meaningful messages, as long as they fit within character limits and follow state regulations, which vary by DMV. Offensive language is usually banned, and duplicate plates aren’t allowed.
The rules for vanity plates can lead to conflicts, as what one person finds harmless, another may deem offensive. For example, a mother’s personalized plate, deemed inappropriate by someone after 15 years, was defended by the governor, who recognized the subjectivity of offense.
Some drivers get creative with their plates, even bending the rules. One clever example, a California plate reading “3JOH22A,” appears random, but when viewed in a mirror, it spells a cheeky word. This sneaky trick, which stays within DMV guidelines, has sparked online amusement, with some joking about how law enforcement might handle it. While it might not be everyone’s taste, it showcases a playful form of self-expression within the rules.
