You can’t say “IH8U,” but “YUH8ME” is OK.
Don’t call someone a “JRKFACE. Try “JRKYBOY” instead.
And sorry, “BEERMOM” – you can’t enjoy a cold one. But “BEERMAN” can.
Confusing? Yes. But those are the rules – at least when the state’s Motor Vehicle Division is making them in regards to vanity license plates.
Although only a few characters long, vanity plates can add a unique custom touch for many drivers, but by putting the brakes on some custom tags, the state infringing on the free speech rights of all South Dakotans. In the past five years, the Motor Vehicle Division has rejected hundreds of personalized plate requests because they allegedly carried “connotations offensive to good taste and decency” – a standard that is overly broad, vague, and subjective.
The First Amendment prevents arbitrary decision making like this when it comes to expression, and it’s clear that the Motor Vehicle Division does not have in place adequate, lawful, and constitutional standards to assess personalized license plates.
That’s why we sent a letter to state officials last month asking them to approve all personalized plate applications previously denied or recalled in the past year.
But in order to keep “RZNHELL” (also denied) with the state over its arbitrary, unconstitutional standards when it comes to personalized plates, we need to hear from you.
Have you or someone you know been denied a personalized plate? Drop us a note at southdakota@aclu.org and we’ll be in touch!
