Too vulgar for the road? The custom license plates Massachusetts RMV denied in 2022

Norman Miller, Cape Cod Times
Updated ·3 min read
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Clarification: An earlier version of this story had "NARCAN" as one of the license plates rejected in 2022. The data provided by the RMV did not clarify that the license plate was then approved in early 2023.

While out on your weekly errands, you'll see many creative vanity license plates. But you won't see vehicles with plates reading "DILF," GLOCK7" or "AYKFM."

Those are among the nearly 900 custom license plates rejected by the state Registry of Motor Vehicles in 2022. In all, Massachusetts residents requested 10,165 vanity license plates last year.

The department even has a dedicated team, the Special Plates Division, that handles these requests. Even if you're able to slip something past their watchful eyes, the registry says it reserves the right to revoke a custom license plate

In a public records request, we asked for all of the different versions of license plates from last year. We at the Cape Cod Times have compiled them into a searchable database for our subscribers to view.

Accepted or Denied: Search Massachusetts's vanity plate requests in 2022

The RMV has several rules for vanity plates

They can have up to six characters, with a minimum of two. The first two characters must be letters and numbers can only come at the end. They cannot be used as a substitute letter, according to the RMV.

In addition, the letters "I," "O," "Q" and "U" can be used only in words that are spelled correctly.

Because numbers cannot be used in the middle of a plate, a request for this vanity plate would be rejected. For example, "AAA222" would be acceptable but "AAA22A" is not.
Because numbers cannot be used in the middle of a plate, a request for this vanity plate would be rejected. For example, "AAA222" would be acceptable but "AAA22A" is not.

Why are custom license plates denied?

Vanity plates that already exist are denied, and there are several other reasons for denial.

One such reason is when a combination of characters is considered "vulgar in that it is in poor taste or is degrading or is considered profanity."

It also includes plates that could be derogatory of belittling to someone. Obscene messages or references to body parts, ethnic heritage, gender, disabilities, sexual orientation or political affiliation are reasons for denials.

A license plate that has "fighting words" or is "designed to inflame passions" will also be denied, according to the RMV.

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Those restrictions also apply when such words appear when someone sees them in a mirror, according to the RMV.

"It is irrelevant whether offensive material is communicated when reading the vanity plate from left-to-right or from right-to-left, when viewed through a rear-view mirror, or whether it is in a foreign language or in a code which only a small segment of the community may be able to readily decipher," according to the RMV rules.

These personalized license plate requests were denied. Here's why

ADEQ. Because Q can only be used in a word that is spelled correctly.AYKFM. Because it can be considered vulgar or in poor taste. It is an acronym for "Are you (expletive) kidding me."BOIBYE. For the lack of significance or meaning.COUGR, COGAR, CUGAR (all requested by one person). Can be viewed as demeaning or vulgar.DILF. Because of vulgarity. It is an acronym for "Dad I'd like to (expletive deleted)."DOOBIE - Drug reference.GLCOK7 - vulgarity.HITMAN - expression of fighting words.NARCAN - obscene or in bad taste. After being denied, this license plate was granted in early 2023, according to an update from the RMV, which did not provide an explanation.OINKER - obscene or in bad taste.REDRUM and MURDER (requested by same person) - expression of fighting words. SMUT - Obscene or in bad taste.

For more, use our searchable database.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Rejected custom license plates: Why Massachusetts denied these ideas