ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — To some, personalized license plates set their ride apart from the rest. It goes beyond a unique color or some tricked-out modifications.
But be careful: Those personalized license plates are under the watchful eye of Florida state censors. In 2023, plates like SL0M0FO and BLUEAF didn't make the cut. Those two were among at least 530 plate configurations rejected last year, according to documents provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
State law allows the agency to reject personalized license plates it finds to be obscene. Blatant swear words aren't allowed nor are a combination of letters and numbers that make it look like it's an expletive.
Anything "deemed objectionable" may also get thrown out. Take a look at a few plates that weren't stamped last year — warning, some may find the below material, well, offensive:
- 1BAMF
- C0CKYY
- FAT BTTM
- FNGUY
- H0H0USE
- JAGG0FF
- METHD UP
- MLF AFB
- R U HIGH
- ZER0 FKS
List: Florida rejected more than 530 personalized license plates in 2023
According to an HSMV spokesperson, personalized license plate orders are reviewed for obscene or objectional material by office staff before reaching the state agency, where there is another review process.
Anyone who notices an objectional plate on the road can submit a complaint to their local tax collector's office or HSMV office. State law allows for the agency to recall such a plate from a driver after review.
People interested in getting a personalized license plate are asked to fill out HSMV form 83043, which can be processed at a local tax collector or local driver license and motor vehicle service center. It's worth it to first run a personalized plate idea through the agency's checker.
Scroll below for the full list of personalized license plate configurations rejected in 2023:
