Oregon rejects many custom license plates for inappropriate language

This picture shows an example of a custom license plate that was approved. It says "shralp", which is a slang word. It is a combination of "shredding" and "ripping", which are terms used for actions in skiing, snowboarding, biking, etc. 

(JANUARY 20, 2023) Every vehicle in Oregon needs license plates. Each license plate has a combination of six numbers or letters to identify the vehicle. Usually the state provides the plates with a random combination. However, it is also possible for people to pay an additional fee to order a personalized license plate, sometimes called "vanity plates".

These custom license plates might have a family or business name, mention a favorite thing, or be some kind of joke. People can ask for anything using numerals 0-9 and letters A-Z. However, the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) rejects several hundred applications each year because they are inappropriate.

Why? There are rules about what can be on a license plate. It cannot have "objectionable" material. "Objectionable" means that the material is unpleasant and might offend or hurt someone. This includes things that might be alarming, threatening, or misleading. Some examples of prohibited words or phrases include references to intimate body parts or sexual functions; classes of people; lies; illegal acts; and alcohol or drugs.

KOIN TV talked to David House. He works at the Oregon DMV. He says, "We Google things. We use Urban Dictionary. Slang changes a lot, so we need to make sure that some of the things that are run by our desk don’t violate these very basic rules that have been in place for decades."

Here is a full list of license plates that were rejected by the Oregon DMV in 2022  (Note: This list contains offensive language.)