A California driver managed to get a specialized license plate that spells a prohibited word when viewed in a mirror. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), personalized license plates cannot be “offensive or slang in ANY language,” nor can they “interchange letters and numbers to look like other plates” or “resemble an existing license plate.” The driver somehow skirted these rules.

California offers different types of license plates, including personalized plates, special interest plates, military plates, and historical plates. Special interest plates support various state projects and programs, covering areas like agriculture, the arts, coastal preservation, firefighters, pets, child health and safety, and more. Military plates include options like Congressional Medal of Honor and Purple Heart. Additionally, historical plates are available for vehicles built after 1922 and at least 24 years old.

The first-ever license plate was issued in 1901 in New York, where vehicle owners had to register with the state and display their initials prominently. George F. Chamberlain received the first license plate.