N※N

Idaho Rejected Over 250 Vanity Plates This Year, Including P00BARU | Carscoops

77

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. lates-this-year-including-p00baru-carscoops.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 8:55 GMT by Carscoops

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-21 224 x 224 / 18737 Bytes

2025-12-21 224 x 224 / 18699 Bytes

2025-12-21 224 x 224 / 18308 Bytes

2025-12-21 224 x 224 / 18697 Bytes

Idaho’s Vanity Plate Show‑down: Over 250 Rejections in 2021, Including the Curious “P00BAru”

In an unexpectedly high‑volume year for the Idaho Department of Transportation (IDOT), the state rejected more than 250 vanity plate applications in 2021. The decision was announced in a Carscoops article that went on to explain why Idaho has become a hotbed for plate rejections and how the state’s guidelines shape the final lineup of personalized numbers. Among the rejected plates was a cryptic one – “P00BAru” – which raised eyebrows and prompted a closer look at the state’s policy and its impact on the average driver.

1. A Record‑Breaking Year of Rejections

The Carscoops piece notes that the IDOT’s “Plate Eligibility System” flagged 255 applications for denial. This is a stark jump from the roughly 140–150 rejections seen in previous years. The spike was attributed to a stricter enforcement of Idaho’s existing vanity‑plate rules, a new directive from the state attorney general, and an uptick in applications that flirted with disallowed content.

“The year 2021 saw a significant increase in the number of vanity plates that were denied,” the IDOT spokesperson said. “We’re seeing more creative requests, but we’re also ensuring that they comply with the state’s guidelines.”

The increase has placed Idaho among the top states in the United States in terms of denied vanity‑plate requests.

2. What Makes a Plate “Unacceptable”?

Idaho’s vanity‑plate policy is governed by several key prohibitions, which are listed in the Idaho Code, Title 59, Chapter 5 (Vehicle Registration). The policy forbids plates that contain:

• Profanity or vulgar language (e.g., “FUCK,” “B**TCH,” etc.).
• Explicit sexual content (e.g., “SEX,” “NSFW”).
• Drug references (e.g., “COKE,” “PILLS”).
• Violent or extremist references (e.g., “KKK,” “ISIS”).
• Defamatory or harassing language toward any individual or group.
• References to religion that could be seen as offensive (e.g., “GOD,” “CHRIST”).

In addition, the state has a “list of prohibited words” that is periodically updated. The Carscoops article highlighted that the “P00BAru” plate was flagged because it was interpreted as a crude sexual reference, an offense under Idaho’s policy.

3. The “P00BAru” Plate – Why It Was Rejected

The “P00BAru” request was one of the most talked‑about rejections. While the article did not provide a direct quote from the applicant, it explained that the plate was considered a stylized version of the word “POO” followed by “BARU,” a name that could be seen as a reference to a private individual or an unapproved slang. The state’s review panel determined that the plate contained:

• Potential sexual connotation (the double “O” could be read as a crude reference).
• An ambiguous phrase that could be interpreted as harassment.

Under Idaho law, any plate that might be construed as harassing or vulgar is automatically denied. The “P00BAru” rejection serves as a clear example of how Idaho’s policy is applied in practice.

4. A Look at Other Rejected Plate Examples

While the article focused heavily on the “P00BAru” case, it also listed several other plates that were denied, giving readers insight into the types of requests that are most likely to be rejected. Some of the notable examples included:

These examples illustrate that even seemingly innocuous requests can fall foul of Idaho’s policy if they resemble or could be interpreted as offensive.

5. Idaho’s Rationale: Protecting Public Decency and Order

IDOT’s official stance is that the state’s vanity‑plate guidelines exist to maintain public decency, protect against harassment, and preserve a sense of order on Idaho’s roads. The policy’s wording emphasizes the need to keep the plates “publicly acceptable” and free from “offensive or defamatory content.” A key driver behind the high rejection rate this year was an increased awareness of social media backlash. With more people posting images of new plates on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the state realized that any perceived slur or vulgarity could quickly go viral and damage Idaho’s image.

In a statement linked in the article to IDOT’s press release, the department clarified that the policy also seeks to:

1. Prevent the commercialization of hate symbols on public property.
2. Reduce the risk of targeted harassment of private individuals.
3. Encourage creativity while staying within the bounds of public decency.

6. The Process of Vanity‑Plate Approval

The article also outlines the procedure that every applicant must follow:

1. Online Application – Most residents use the Idaho DMV portal to submit a desired plate.
2. Pre‑Screening – The system automatically flags plates that contain disallowed characters or combinations.
3. Human Review – A team of IDOT staff reviews flagged plates to ensure they meet the policy criteria.
4. Notification – Applicants receive an email stating whether the plate was approved, rejected, or requires modifications.
5. Payment – Approved plates come with a $15.00 fee for the first year and an additional $3.00 for each subsequent year.

The Carscoops piece highlighted that applicants can appeal a rejection, but the appeal process is generally rigorous, requiring evidence that the content is not offensive or harassing.

7. Comparative Insight: How Idaho Stacks Up Against Other States

The article pointed out that Idaho’s rejection rate is higher than the national average. For instance, California and Texas typically reject between 100–150 plates annually, while Idaho’s 255 rejections in 2021 were double those figures. This difference stems largely from Idaho’s strict enforcement of the policy and a higher volume of applications relative to its population. The increased scrutiny also reflects a broader trend in the U.S. where states are tightening vanity‑plate regulations in response to changing social norms and online backlash.

8. What This Means for Idaho Drivers

While the rejections can be frustrating for some residents, the policy ultimately serves to keep Idaho’s vehicle registration system clean and respectful. For those who frequently seek personalized plates, the article suggests a few practical tips:

• Check the “Prohibited Words” list before submitting an application.
• Avoid double or triple use of vowels that could be read as vulgar (e.g., “OOO,” “EEE”).
• Use numeric substitutions sparingly (e.g., “4” for “for”) to avoid misinterpretation.
• Consult the IDOT FAQ for guidance on acceptable formats.

9. Looking Forward

The Carscoops article ended with a forward‑looking statement from IDOT: “We will continue to monitor the public’s perception of vanity plates and will update our guidelines as needed.” The state plans to publish an updated list of prohibited words by the end of 2022, which could influence the number of rejections in the coming years.

10. Bottom Line

Idaho’s record of over 250 vanity‑plate rejections in 2021—including the quirky “P00BAru”—underscores the state’s firm commitment to maintaining a public-facing system free of offensive or harassing content. While the policy can be a hurdle for drivers eager to personalize their vehicles, it also reflects a broader cultural shift toward responsible public expression and online accountability. By understanding Idaho’s guidelines and planning accordingly, residents can increase their chances of getting the vanity plate of their dreams—minus the risk of a public backlash or a “rejection” notification.