Latest news with #TexasDepartmentofMotorVehicles
Axios
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Mini trucks are about to be big in Texas
The Texas Legislature has approved a bill solidifying the legal status of Japanese mini pickups also called kei trucks. Why it matters: The legislation, awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature, could bring a wave of these charming vehicles to Texas roads, a big win for fans of the quirky imports. Kei vehicles have technically been street legal for a little over a year, thanks to a policy change at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Senate Bill 1816 would write that allowance into state law, removing any gray areas. The big picture: Kei vehicles were designed to meet Japan's tight regulations on size and engine power. They're typically at least 25 years old to qualify for U.S. import rules and feature small frames, right-hand drive, and top speeds between 45 mph and 75 mph. Their charm, fuel efficiency, and low cost have earned them a cult following online. Think: YouTube builds, auction guides and TikToks with millions of views. Listings on sites like range from $2,995 to $9,000, depending on fees and tariffs. That's a far cry from the $39,445 entry price on a new Ford F-150, the most popular vehicle in Texas. Between the lines: David McChristian, 37, founder of nonprofit Lone Star Kei, persuaded the DMV to revise its policy in April 2024, allowing owners to register their vehicles for road use. McChristian then worked with lawmakers to codify those changes through SB 1816.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'MOOVEIT': Over 2,300 Texas license plates were rejected in 2024. Did yours make the list?
A license plate can highlight a person's occupation, personality, and sense of humor. However, "DRG LORD" and "NAWTE" are probably not ideal license plate names. In fact, those were among many license plate requests filed and swiftly rejected by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in 2024. The Texas DMV rejects thousands of personalized license plate names each year. Here's a list of all the rejected license plates between January and November 2024. Vulgarity, lewdness and profanity are legal factors that lead to rejections from the Texas DMV. In 2024, over 2,341 license plate names sent for review were denied. June and July were tied for months with the most rejections, at 255 each. Here are some of the top license plates for each month. (Warning: This list may contain explicit language — or acronyms for them.) The Texas DMV certainly has a busy job on its hands, carefully reviewing hundreds of creative plate names every month. While the committee doesn't provide reasons for their rejections, it does make you wonder about names like "DESNUTS." Could it be a fun nod to someone's love for pecans, or perhaps a playful reference to that memorable 1992 Snoop Dogg skit from the album "The Chronic?" It ended up being turned down, likely due to its explicitness. Here are 10 license plates rejected in January: DESNUTS PLZZZ GO NASDBOY TOPLUSS WITE PWR PLBYBNY PHTA55 FREEYSL MAY69 O MY 69 There were plenty of innuendos for the month of February. Also, the DMV did not seem to be fond of the "guess what chicken butt" joke. Here are 10 license plates rejected in February: SNEK69 BGDDY 69 QWKLICK CHKNBTT CHOK3 U BUCCOFF THCKAF F@T BTY PAID-KLR HIT NSUE The DMV really emphasizes staying calm on the road, and they don't allow Texas license plates that might suggest you're a police officer. These were just some of the plate names proposed for March! Here are 10 rejected license plate names for March: DRV*AGRY BI*FLCIA HLA SLOW DS*NU7S ON1YFNS SOMBECH HO35M4D GO AHRND FAKE ID POLICE Insinuating that you're driving under the influence, claiming instability and explicitly saying that you don't care will not get you a specialized license plate in Texas. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for April: BDAS69 BUBLBUT MILFJK NASTE XERO*FX TOP1ESS NCE RACK FUKELON TIPSY KRZYMAN Innuendos and playful jabs at former President Joe Biden, as well as clever remarks about financial struggles, were all set aside for May. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for May: NOT4H0S WTFJOE LFG*DUDE U PEASNT BMW LMAO HARYBNS* 2FUGLY MRS RAG3 MOVEMF HAL YES In 2024, many sought to capitalize on the "hawk tuah" viral moment. Despite their creative attempts, the Texas DMV still said no. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for June: GDAMNT ZOOOTED H4WKTUH HAK2WA HAUK@TUH HAW TUAH HOCK2AH HUC TUAH HWK 2A HWKTUA July's rejected list had several slang terms and clever acronyms. "SIZZRUP" is slang for over-the-counter cough syrup that substance abusers combine with a carbonated drink for recreational purposes. "SCQMMER" is short for scammer, which is an illegal occupation, while "MYSDCHC" is short for "my side chick," a pun on infidelity in a relationship. These were real license plate submissions that were denied. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for July: PZZZ*OFF CRM&PAYS SCQMMER N0RUBBR SIZZRUP ROLL1UP PMOBILE VIBRTR WTFBRUH MYSDCHC Could "2DOPBYZ" be an ode to Outkast's song "Two Dope Boyz (in a Cadillac)?" It's possible, but it was denied. "50 SH8DS" sounds like someone was a fan of the romance novel Fifty Shades of Grey. That was also denied. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for August: BUCKYEA 0NLE*FNZ FATGRL THC*77 50 SH8DS PLZ BTCH BADBECH COKA1N 2DOPBYZ MFIAMOM Curse words in another language will get you a denied license plate. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for September. NAWTE FAH KOFF FREKOFF GO2H3LL F KAMALA MADVILN GENXAF URUGLY2 P3NDEJO KWICKAF It seems that the Texas DMV has not taken kindly to insults directed at the Texas Longhorns since "UTXSUX" was rejected. Additionally, "QANON," referring to the conspiracy group "QAnon," was also denied. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for October. UGLY MFR UTXSUX FTKDS GRINGOO PUR XTC LFGDAL WHO GAF QANON CHINGQN BOLLOKS The Texas DMV does not want you to exceed the speed limit, which is why "BLU UAWY" may have been denied. Here are 10 rejected license plate names for November. DUCK NO Y RU SLO X RATD AGRESVE GODIAM 2DAMBAD TOYTA AF EXTOSEE CUGR&UBR BLU UAWY Would the Texas DMV reject your license plate idea? Search 2024 submissions to find out. The Texas DMV doesn't exactly say what they do and don't allow on Texas license plates. According to the Tex. Admin. Code. §217.27 rule for vehicle registration insignia, the department can cancel a personalized license plate if they find out later that it didn't meet the rules when it was issued. The department can also cancel it if the meaning or interpretation of the plate changes over time and no longer follows the rules. When reviewing a plate, the department doesn't have to consider what the applicant meant or intended by it. They also won't issue any personalized plates that fall under certain criteria. Here are the criteria according to state law: The license plate number conflicts with the department's current or proposed general issue license plate numbering system. The director or the director's designee finds that the personalized license plate number may be considered objectionable. An objectionable license plate number may include words, phrases, or slang in any language; phonetic, numeric, or reverse spelling; acronyms; patterns viewed in mirror image; or code that only a small segment of the community may be able to decipher readily. An objectionable pattern may be viewed as: Indecent (defined as including a direct reference or connotation to a sexual act, sexual body parts, excreta, or sexual bodily fluids or functions. Additionally, the license plate number "69" is prohibited unless used with the full year (1969) or in combination with a reference to a vehicle; Vulgar, directly or indirectly (defined as profane, swear, or curse words); Derogatory, directly or indirectly (defined as an expression that is demeaning to, belittles, or disparages any person, group, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation. "Derogatory" may also include a reference to an organization that advocates the expressions described in this subparagraph); A direct or indirect negative instruction or command directed at another individual related to the operation of a motor vehicle; A direct or indirect reference to gangs, illegal activities, implied threats of harm, or expressions that describe, advertise, advocate, promote, encourage, glorify, or condone violence, crime, or unlawful conduct; A direct or indirect reference to controlled substances or the physiological state produced by such substances, intoxicated states, or a direct or indirect reference that may express, describe, advertise, advocate, promote, encourage, or glorify such substances or states; A direct representation of law enforcement or other governmental entities, including any reference to a public office or position exclusive to government; A pattern that could be misread by law enforcement. The license plate number is currently on a license plate issued to another owner. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: More than 2,300 Texas license plates were rejected in 2024. See list
