The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has banned over 300 number plates from the upcoming 67 vehicle registrations, including one that spells 'Indica' — a term associated with a strain of cannabis. The plate IN67 ICA was deemed potentially offensive.
Other banned plates include MU67 DER, BU67 GER, DO67 GER, BA67 ARD, MU67 GER, HU67 WLY, OR67 SAM, AF67 HAN, and NE67 ECT. The agency also withheld plates that could be interpreted as spelling 'jihad', as revealed under the Freedom of Information Act to BBC Wales.
A DVLA spokesman stated: 'The agency applies a clear policy of withholding potentially offensive registration numbers... 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.'
This follows an incident in June where the DVLA admitted that the plate JH11 HAD had 'slipped through the net'. The agency continues to monitor and restrict plates that may cause upset or offence.
