Illinois – The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles has outdone itself this year in its ongoing crusade against the proliferation of explicit vanity plates. The latest round of rejections in 2023 includes some real doozies. Among the rejected plates are “DZNUTS” and “MILFS,” two risqué hashtags that made their way into public consciousness through the wonders of social media.
It’s truly a blow to the state’s driving population. After all, what is the point of having a personalized license plate if you can’t declare your allegiance to immature humor or casually degrade women? No one wants to drive around with a boring old string of numbers and letters on their vehicle. That’s what law enforcement wants you to do. How do they expect anyone to express their individuality with such ridiculous restrictions?
But hold on a second, folks! Before we get too worked up, let’s remember that these plates were rejected for a good reason. They don’t meet the standards set forth by the DMV, which is responsible for ensuring that the plates are in good taste and don’t incite violence or hatred. The department has a carefully considered process and they are just doing their job.
To be fair, there were other plates rejected this year that were similarly inappropriate, so it’s not just a matter of picking on these two. There was “CU-TREK”, which we assume was meant to be a tribute to the latest hatchback from Subaru. But, given the plate’s proximity to the other two, we have to wonder if there’s something deeper going on here. Maybe it’s a covert code that only people with a certain mindset understand. Or maybe it’s just juvenile.
Then there’s the rejected “COCANE” and “HERNIA” plates. It’s obvious that some people just don’t know when to say when. It’s one thing to be suggestive or immature, but to make light of serious medical conditions or illegal drugs is not only offensive but also insensitive.
We have to give credit to the DMV for their diligence in this matter. Imagine driving down the road and seeing these plates, and having to explain to your kids what they mean. Do you really want to have that conversation? It’s hard enough to teach our children to be respectful and civil without exposing them to this kind of crassness.
It’s a shame that we can’t rely on the good taste and decency of our fellow citizens when it comes to selecting license plates. But, ultimately, the state has a responsibility to maintain a level of decorum on our highways and byways. Sure, it’s a bit of a buzzkill, but it’s also a necessary reminder that we are all part of a larger community, and we should all behave accordingly.
So, for those of you who were planning on getting one of these rejected plates, rest assured that there are plenty of other ways to express your individuality. Get a bumper sticker, or decorate your car with something eye-catching. Just please, keep it tasteful. Don’t make the DMV have to go through this again next year – they have enough to deal with already.
