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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/25/dvla-cracks-down-offensive-car-numberplates-registrations
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| NO67 FUN: DVLA cracks down on offensive numberplates | NO67 FUN: DVLA cracks down on offensive numberplates |
| (5 months later) | |
| MU67 GED and DO67 ERR among about 300 vehicle registrations not being released next week when 67 become available | |
| Press Association | |
| Fri 25 Aug 2017 16.20 BST | |
| Last modified on Fri 25 Aug 2017 16.30 BST | |
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| Hundreds of numberplate combinations that are potentially offensive or in poor taste are banned from being used each year, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has said. | Hundreds of numberplate combinations that are potentially offensive or in poor taste are banned from being used each year, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has said. |
| The list of withheld registrations includes combinations that should never be seen on the roads, including any that end with the letters ARS or DAM and those that are specific to the year. | The list of withheld registrations includes combinations that should never be seen on the roads, including any that end with the letters ARS or DAM and those that are specific to the year. |
| Among the approximately 300 that will not be released next week, when 67 vehicle registrations become available, are: NO67 FUN, NO67 END, MU67 GED, DO67 ERR, BA67 TRD and ST67 BBD. | Among the approximately 300 that will not be released next week, when 67 vehicle registrations become available, are: NO67 FUN, NO67 END, MU67 GED, DO67 ERR, BA67 TRD and ST67 BBD. |
| In June, the numberplate JH11 HAD was spotted in Newport, South Wales, and reported to authorities. The DVLA said the plate had “slipped through the net” and it was subsequently withdrawn. | In June, the numberplate JH11 HAD was spotted in Newport, South Wales, and reported to authorities. The DVLA said the plate had “slipped through the net” and it was subsequently withdrawn. |
| Information released to BBC Wales after a freedom of information (FOI) request revealed that other combinations such as JE** HAD and *J11 HAD had also been banned. | Information released to BBC Wales after a freedom of information (FOI) request revealed that other combinations such as JE** HAD and *J11 HAD had also been banned. |
| The Swansea-based agency said in the FOI document it had a responsibility to make sure the combination used on registration numbers did not cause upset or offence. | The Swansea-based agency said in the FOI document it had a responsibility to make sure the combination used on registration numbers did not cause upset or offence. |
| It continued: “Such numbers are withheld if they are likely to cause offence or embarrassment to the general population in this country on the grounds of political, racial and religious sensitivities or simply because they are in poor taste when displayed correctly on a numberplate.” | It continued: “Such numbers are withheld if they are likely to cause offence or embarrassment to the general population in this country on the grounds of political, racial and religious sensitivities or simply because they are in poor taste when displayed correctly on a numberplate.” |
| Banned combinations cannot be issued or sold at a DVLA personalised registration auction. | Banned combinations cannot be issued or sold at a DVLA personalised registration auction. |
| The agency holds an exhaustive list of potentially offensive numberplates, which it updates annually. | The agency holds an exhaustive list of potentially offensive numberplates, which it updates annually. |
| Other combinations included are: | Other combinations included are: |
| • Four-letter combinations: *B** UMS, *G** ODS and *R** APE | • Four-letter combinations: *B** UMS, *G** ODS and *R** APE |
| • Five-letter combinations: AB** USE, AN** GER and BO** SOM | • Five-letter combinations: AB** USE, AN** GER and BO** SOM |
| • 2004 vehicle registrations: A**4 RSE, BO04 ZZY and BL04 JOB | • 2004 vehicle registrations: A**4 RSE, BO04 ZZY and BL04 JOB |
| • 2011 vehicle registrations: BO11 OC*, DR11 GG* and PO11 CE* | • 2011 vehicle registrations: BO11 OC*, DR11 GG* and PO11 CE* |
| A DVLA spokeswoman said: “Many people enjoy displaying a personalised numberplate and the vast majority of registration numbers are made available – but we hold back any combinations that may cause offence, embarrassment or are in poor taste. | A DVLA spokeswoman said: “Many people enjoy displaying a personalised numberplate and the vast majority of registration numbers are made available – but we hold back any combinations that may cause offence, embarrassment or are in poor taste. |
| “We try to identify all combinations that may cause offence, and on the rare occasion where potentially offensive numbers slip through the net, steps are taken to withdraw the number.” | “We try to identify all combinations that may cause offence, and on the rare occasion where potentially offensive numbers slip through the net, steps are taken to withdraw the number.” |
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