By Bret Schulte
Drivers: URSOVAIN. The vanity license plate is bigger than ever. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, there are about 9.7 million personalized license plates on American vehicles. And the options are growing.
A number of states allow residents to choose from thematic plates that raise awareness, and money, for illnesses such as breast cancer. This means millions in dollars of extra revenue for both the state and other worthy parties.
But personalized plates evoke strong responses, even First Amendment lawsuits over what is permissible. A New York man is suing his state for refusing to allow him plates that say GETOSAMA, arguing that the decision violates his right of free speech. This week, the South Dakota Legislature defeated a bill in committee that would have revoked the state's personalized plates. Debra Hillmer, the director of South Dakota's Department of Motor Vehicles, argued that personalized plates are a lawsuit waiting to happen. But locals rallied to their defense. One lawmaker called it "one of the most unpopular bills" he's encountered.
Stefan Lonce, creator of www.LCNS2ROM.com and author of the upcoming book, LCNS2ROM — License to Roam: Vanity Plates and the Stories They Tell, explains why America LUVSPL8S.
Excerpts:
What are the challenges the DMV faces in a world of increasing politicization, innuendo, and double meaning?
The problem DMVs are facing is that every vanity plate could offend someone. So who is to say what's obscene? And the DMVs have their plates full, no pun intended. They are managing 253 million motor vehicles, and now they're going to have to decide First Amendment rights for people? I wouldn't want to be the person at a DMV who decides what you can have on your plate.
It seems that are you saying DMVs are doing a great job.
The DMVs are doing a great job.
That's a sentiment not often heard.
I ordered my vanity plate and it took me five minutes online, and I had it within five days. The DMVs in the U.S. are administrating 253 million motor vehicles and I managed to get my vanity plate in five days? That's pretty good.
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