New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 15 - Department of Motor Vehicles › Chapter I - REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER › Subchapter B - Registration, Certificate of Title, and Number Plates › Part 16 - Special Number Plates › Section 16.5 - Restrictions

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a)
				  Personalized plates.
1. No person has a right
				  to a particular personalized plate. Personalized plates are issued by DMV in
				  the sole discretion of the commissioner.
2. Personalized plates bearing a plate number
				  that represents a word, phrase, expression, or that has a meaning, connotation
				  or format that the commissioner deems objectionable shall not be issued. Such
				  plates shall include, but need not be limited to, those that the commissioner
				  determines:
(i) Are obscene, profane, vulgar,
				  repulsive, depraved, or lewd;
(ii)
				  Describe or refer to a sexual or intimate body part, area or function;
(iii) Describe or refer to
				  eliminatory or other bodily functions;
(iv) Are derogatory, contemptuous, degrading,
				  disrespectful or inflammatory;
(v)
				  Express, describe, advertise, advocate, promote, encourage, glorify, or condone
				  violence, crime or unlawful conduct;
(vi) Describe, connote, or refer to illegal
				  drug(s), controlled substance(s) or related paraphernalia;
(vii) May constitute copyright infringement,
				  or infringement of a trademark, trade name, service mark, or patent;
(viii) Refer to, suggest, or may appear to
				  refer to or to suggest any governmental or law enforcement purpose, function or
				  entity;
(ix) Do not have at least
				  one letter, consist of six numbers followed by one letter, or may be misleading
				  or confusing in identifying a plate number (e.g., the substitution of the
				  numeral zero for the letter "O") or
(x) Are reserved for issuance to specific
				  classes of vehicles other than passenger vehicles (e.g., plates assigned to
				  county clerks, members of certain professions, historic motor vehicles, etc.).
3. Personalized plates
				  that the commissioner may deem to be objectionable shall include plates bearing
				  a combination of letters or numerals that in any language, or by means of a
				  slang term, abbreviation, phonetic spelling or mirror image, in the judgment of
				  the commissioner, forms a word, phrase, or expression, or has a meaning or
				  connotation listed in paragraph (2) of this subdivision.
4. The commissioner may determine at any time
				  that a personalized plate is objectionable, regardless of whether the plate is
				  requested, approved but not yet issued, or issued. If, after the commissioner
				  receives a request for a personalized plate, the commissioner deems the
				  requested plate to be objectionable, the commissioner shall deny the
				  applicant's request. In such cases, the applicant shall be deemed to have
				  consented to withdraw the application for the personalized plate. If, after the
				  issuance of a personalized plate, the commissioner deems the issued plate to be
				  objectionable, the commissioner shall invalidate the plate. The registrant will
				  be required to remove the invalidated plate from the registered vehicle and
				  will be issued a standard registration plate. When the commissioner either
				  withdraws approval for a requested personalized plate or invalidates an issued
				  personalized plate, the registrant may select a nonobjectionable personalized
				  plate or a non-personalized plate at no additional cost.