When we get a car or even if we change cars, something we need to consider is the license plate. It means a trip down to the DMV and probably a long wait in line, but at least we will be legal when we are driving.
One of the decisions that must be made when you get a license plate is if you’re going to go with the random numbers and letters or if you want the customized license plate option.
Vanity plates are very popular and you can use almost any name, word, or phrase. There are also likely options for the pictures and other background images on the license plate.
Having a vanity plate gives you the ability to get creative but sometimes, it also means that you have to play by the rules. The state DMV is going to regulate what can be put on those plates so if it is too offensive, and is likely going to be turned down.
Then again, they don’t always get everything right.
That is where Matt Pacenza comes in. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, and he saw a vanity plate that he found to be offensive. He spoke with the Salt Lake Tribune about it, saying: “It jumped out at me because of how aggressive and confrontational and political the message was. I’m used to personalized plates being whimsical or playful or personal: GOUTES or DOGMAMA or SKILOVE or something. This felt significantly different.”
After he sold the plate, he posted it on Facebook and Twitter. He also reached out to the Department of license plates, asking how it did not violate their guidelines.
Hey @utahdld, how does this plate I just saw not violate your guidelines? #utpolhttps://t.co/zFDfm8IHxp pic.twitter.com/kt3S2KBh2z
— Matt Pacenza (@mattpacenza) January 9, 2020
Many people who saw all the messages on twitter also agreed that it was an unacceptable plate. Even a US Sen., Daniel Thatcher, commented on it.
Thank you for highlighting this. I’ve reached out to DLD. I’ll let you know when I have an answer.
— Daniel W. Thatcher (@SenThatcher) January 10, 2020
Thatcher came back to leave another comment saying that he agreed that the license plate should have been denied.
Tax commission is aware and investigating.
For clarification; A private citizen has a first amendment right to say offensive things. The State does not, and has rules about license plates. I believe those rules have been violated here.
Hopefully Tax Commission agrees.
— Daniel W. Thatcher (@SenThatcher) January 10, 2020
After the issue was reviewed by the DMV, they considered the plate to be offensive and said that it should be recalled.
“If a plate appears to ‘carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency’ or expresses ‘contempt, ridicule or superiority of a race, religion, deity, ethnic heritage, gender, or political affiliation’ the plate may be denied or recalled.”
I think we win this one.
— Daniel W. Thatcher (@SenThatcher) January 10, 2020
A spokesman for the Utah Tax Commission who oversees the DMV in that state said that the plate was approved in 2015, although she isn’t sure why it slipped through the cracks.