It has been reported that already close to 600 combinations have been banned, more than previous plate changes, with would-be pranksters making a number of phrases using “1” and an “I” and “9” as a lower case “g”.
Some of the most offensive removed from circulation include B19 NOB, DO19 POO, FA19 END and OR19 ASM, B19 DCK.
This is nothing new however, with the new plate releases in March and September each year, DVLA reviews possible combinations ahead of the release dates to blacklist any that are deemed to be inappropriate or offensive.
Not all potentially offensive combinations are always caught though and some slip through the net. There was the infamous plate from March 2011 that was finally banned in March last year after being put on sale for £6000!
A DVLA Spokesperson said: “The vast majority of registration numbers are made available but the Agency holds back any combinations that may cause offence, embarrassment or are in poor taste.
“Many people enjoy displaying a personalised registration number and there are over 50 million registrations available on our website, https://dvlaregistrations.dvla.gov.uk, with almost endless possibilities of combinations to suit a person’s taste, interests, and budget with prices starting at just £250.”