Michigan has banned more than 30,000 personalized license plates, according to reporting from Bridge Michigan that was distributed by The Associated Press. The state’s list of rejected combinations topped 30,000 words for the first time last year, Bridge reported after obtaining an updated version through a public records request using the Freedom of Information Act.
Bridge Michigan said it used artificial intelligence to compare the newer version of the list with a prior version, and that a human reporter confirmed the results. The review found Michigan banned roughly 2,000 additional license plates in 2025.
New rejections cited in the reporting included four additional variations of 04FCSK. The story also described other attempts that appeared intended to replicate the “f-word,” including 0F0KS and 0FUX4U, as well as additional banned plate strings: 0GB0SS, 0HCR4P, B4DAZZ, FEDS, HA1LYA, ILEGAL, MAFIAA, and REDW1NE.
The reporting said plates are typically denied for reasons such as vulgar language, references to bodily functions, or curse words. It added that applications can also be rejected for mentions of drugs, alcohol, criminal activity, or offensive slurs.
The story also listed examples of previously banned plates, including 2DAMH0T, WEEDMAN, 0HDAMM, M0DEL0, and H3LLYEA.
Michigan described its review process as involving more than two dozen volunteers working in three stages. The first group conducts an initial review, the second votes on whether to approve or deny plates, and the third notifies applicants of rejections and offers alternative plate options when applicable.
Applicants can appeal a rejection and provide reasons they believe their personalized plate should be allowed. Michigan said plates are rejected if they contain profanity or obscene language, include swear words, are sexually explicit or graphic, refer to intimate body parts, mention alcohol, drugs, or drug use, allude to illegal activities or substances, interfere with law enforcement identification, or promote hate or violence.
The reporting also said Michigan may deny license plates that include an organization’s logo if the pairing creates a vulgar or inappropriate phrase. As an example, Michigan rejected 0GCRAP with a Detroit Tigers logo because the “D” in the logo could form an offensive word, and it rejected 3RL0T with a University of Michigan license plate because, in that combination, it mentions alcohol. The story said more than 600 plates were banned solely due to logo combinations.
Michigan residents can check personalized plate availability and preview how their proposed plates would look on the Secretary of State’s website, the reporting said.