Maine Motorists Fight For The Right To Have Naughty Vanity License Plates

2023-03-10

var label_640a052be4b006d19e2684ab = "ctx-wait-640a052be4b006d19e2684ab"; var defer_640a052be4b006d19e2684ab = document.currentScript; console.time(label_640a052be4b006d19e2684ab); window.waitForGlobal( () => window.HP && window.HP.params && window.HP.params.clientUUID && window.localStorage && defer_640a052be4b006d19e2684ab && defer_640a052be4b006d19e2684ab.parentElement.dataset.ready === "true", () => { console.timeEnd(label_640a052be4b006d19e2684ab); Maine had for several years allowed people to put just about any combination of letters and numbers on their vehicle plates, including words and phrases that other states would ban. But the state decided to change course and this year recalled 274 plates it deemed inappropriate.Some people are fighting back.So far the state has rejected all of the appeals, including one brought by the vegan whose license plate referenced tofu.The state concluded the license plate “LUVTOFU” could’ve been seen as a reference to sex instead of admiration for bean curd. The motorist insisted there was no mistaking his intent because the back of his car had several tofu-related stickers.“It’s my protest against eating meat and animal products,” Peter Starostecki, the disappointed motorist, said after a zoom session with a hearing examiner for the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Heather Libby and her best friend grudgingly gave up their matching license plates that contained a word for a female dog.“People are so sensitive nowadays,” said Libby, of Jonesport, after a hearing examiner rejected her appeal. “I just think it’s foolish.”When the state effectively ended the review process for so-called “vanity” license plates in 2015, some residents obtained their plates with all manner of profanities, including F-bombs, either spelled out or abbreviated.Residents in a state known for being laconic and even-tempered soon were sporting uncensored plates pairing the F-word with “snow,” “haters,” and “ALS,” — the incurable nerodegenerative disease.After license plate freedoms spiraled out of control, the Maine Legislature directed the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to reestablish a system for vetting the state’s roughly 120,000 vanity license plates

The new rules ban derogatory references to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion or disability. Also banned is language that incite violence, or is considered obscene.Heather Libby and her best friend grudgingly gave up their matching license plates that contained a word for a female dog.“People are so sensitive nowadays,” said Libby, of Jonesport, after a hearing examiner rejected her appeal. “I just think it’s foolish.”When the state effectively ended the review process for so-called “vanity” license plates in 2015, some residents obtained their plates with all manner of profanities, including F-bombs, either spelled out or abbreviated.Residents in a state known for being laconic and even-tempered soon were sporting uncensored plates pairing the F-word with “snow,” “haters,” and “ALS,” — the incurable nerodegenerative disease

After license plate freedoms spiraled out of control, the Maine Legislature directed the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to reestablish a system for vetting the state’s roughly 120,000 vanity license plates.The new rules ban derogatory references to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion or disability. Also banned is language that incite violence, or is considered obscene.“We have a public interest in keeping phrases and words that are profane or may incite violence off the roadways,” she said.She said she’s happy that most motorists have relinquished their objectionable license plates without a fight. So far, there have been only 13 appeals, but there could be more.If a motorist loses an appeal to a hearing examiner, then they can sue in Superior Court. So far, no one has taken that step

As for Starostecki, he was offered another license plate that had become available, V3GAN. But he decided he was done with vanity plates. He’s awaiting a new license plate — a boring one randomly selected by the state.Libby, who lost her B-word plate, got a custom plate celebrating her dog Zeus, named for the mythical god of thunder. “That could be offensive to someone because it’s a Greek god,” she quipped. “But I hope not.”___Follow David Sharp on Twitter @David_Sharp_APPeter Starostecki and his kids Sadie, center, and Jo Jo, pose behind their car with the vanity license plate that the state of Maine has deemed in appropriate, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Poland, Maine. The vegan family's car will soon have a randomly selected plate. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)via Associated PressRelatedMaineMaine LegislatureDavid SharpLibby JonesportPeter StarosteckiMaine Starts Removing Those Naughty License PlatesJudge Refuses To Dismiss Lawsuit Against DMV For 'FCANCER' Vanity License PlateKentucky Atheist Awarded $150,000 In Fight Over Vanity License PlatesMan Wins Court Battle To Get ‘IM GOD’ License Plate

• 2023-03-10
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