Texas

Texas rejected over 2,300 custom license plates last year, including ‘H4WKTUA,’ ‘PLBYBNY’

A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “redneck.”
A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “redneck.” MyPlates.com

Over 2.300 custom Texas license plates were rejected due to their inappropriate messages in 2024.

Texans have the freedom to customize their plates but with certain restrictions. According to My Plates, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will reject a plate if it is easily read as indecent, vulgar, derogatory or if it tells other drivers a command.

The Texas DMV follows an alphanumeric pattern to assign standard general issued plates. These plates have three letters followed by four numbers. An example would read: “LHD 8448.” A custom plate would not follow the pattern and would read something like, “70S BABY.”

A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “not legal.”
A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “not legal.” MyPlates.com
A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “your mom 2.”
A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “your mom 2.” MyPlates.com

Plates that were rejected this year were clever despite their audacity. Some wanted their car to be labeled with “NT LEGAL” or “UR MOM2.” Though drivers have to pay $50 to $570 for a custom message across their Texas plates, the alphanumerical combination must stay within the modest guidelines.

So which plates didn’t pass the state license test? Brace yourselves.

What Texas license plates got rejected in 2024?

A few plates that got rejected this year were odes to viral moments like “H4WKTUA” or “SKIBIDV.” Some drivers wanted to label themselves with plates that read “M3NAC3” or “R3DNCK.”

A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “Texas mayor.”
A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “Texas mayor.” MyPlates.com
A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “X rated.”
A custom license plate that was rejected in 2024 reads, “X rated.” MyPlates.com

Though we cannot show all 2,300 rejected plates, here is a glimpse into what some Texans thought up:

  • ❤ MYH8RS

  • 1FELONY

  • 2EZ2SPD

  • 4FS YALL

  • 5NIPER

  • ADVNTR7

  • BAM LAM

  • CKNBUTT

  • DUMBGUY

  • EF YEAH

  • EV SUCKS

  • FWORD

  • GO AHRND

  • H3LLB8Y

  • H4NGM4N

  • H4WKTUA

  • L8R LSER

  • LFGDAL

  • M0V-QVER

  • M3NAC3

  • MVFASTA

  • NT LEGAL

  • OLDFRTS

  • ON1YFNS

  • PLBYBNY

  • R3DNCK

  • REAL AF

  • SHEDVL

  • SKIBIDV

  • TANKED

  • TXMAYOR

  • U MAD

  • UR MOM2

  • X RATD

  • Y RU SLO

  • Z000TED


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What can you write on a Texas license plate?

If you are interested in customizing a license plate, be sure to follow these Texas DMV guidelines to avoid a rejection.

Keep in mind that character space varies depending on the letters, numbers and symbols you use. Drivers can use any combination of alphanumeric characters, spaces, and symbols including: hyphens, periods, hearts, stars, or silhouettes of the State of Texas.

Avoid objectionable language, also known as any word or phrase that is readily decipherable. Plates will be rejected if they display any of the following:

  • Indecent language (sexual language)

  • Vulgar language (swear or curse words)

  • Derogatory language (defined by the Texas DMV as an “expression that is demeaning to, belittles, or disparages any person, group, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation.”)

  • Negative instruction or command to surrounding drivers

  • References to gangs, violence or words used to incite violence or crime

  • References to substances such as drugs or alcohol

  • References to governmental or law enforcement officials (military references allowed)

  • Patterns that could be misread to law enforcement

How to customize a Texas license plate

To customize a Texas license plate you can chose any letters or symbols to create an appropriate message and also a custom background design.
To customize a Texas license plate you can chose any letters or symbols to create an appropriate message and also a custom background design. Screenshot of MyPlates.com

To customize your own Texas license plate, visit MyPlate.com.

You can choose your plate’s color, background, verbiage and design. Price varies depending on what you chose to change.

  • First you can start by checking that your desired message isn’t already in use by typing it into “Type a Plate Message” and clicking on the “Check” button.

  • Once you create an original message, click “Create Plate.

  • Select your vehicle.

  • Type your message, consisting of letters, numbers or symbols.

  • Then choose your background from 100+ designs.

  • Create and pay.

  • Finally, wait to hear if your customization is approved.

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Ella Gonzales
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.
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