World Number Plate News- officials park up offensive number plates

Threatening the police, insulting ACC and advertising drugs are out. But labelling yourself a killer, railing against the IRD and calling yourself “one badass” are still OK on the roads.

Personalised number plates pulled off cars for being too offensive include DRGDLR, QUICKE and RNUDWN, according to Transport Agency records provided under the Official Information Act.

One aggravating plate, H8PIGS, was even displayed on a former police car for a few months by a Christchurch man who had bought it.

But other drivers still have the NZTA’s number – with plates ranging from KILLAH to BIT5H to 1 BAD ARS for sale on Trade Me late last week.

Potentially offensive plates have become more of an issue since 2001. when number plates began including three letters.

Since then, the NZTA has banned at least 25 three-letter combinations, including plates beginning with ARS, BUM, CUN, DUM, FAK, FAT and FUZ.

These were chosen “because they are considered as either likely offensive or undesirable by a large number of vehicle owners”, said NZTA transport registry centre manager Brett Dooley.

People wanting personalised plates had to apply to a company called Personalised Plates, which decided whether to grant the applications.

But the NZTA and PPL had agreed criteria to avoid offensive plates – including whether they were abusive, obscene, or promoted violence or discrimination. Plates could be pulled off the roads if people complained about them, Mr Dooley said.

One plate listed as having been issued and recalled was Tampon, which belonged to Nelson man Brendon Cottle.