# Custom Licence Plates — Seen in the Wild **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 11, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965 "2023-11-11T02:25:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 119
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2361 "2026-02-05T19:04:42Z")
Last night I was behind Ford F150 with **RADMOM** ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2362 "2026-02-05T19:06:43Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > **NWCTY** on a 5-character Miami Heat NBA booster plate on an Audi. “Northwestern city” is pretty obvious. But why pay to put that on a plate? Thinking of the rap music group NWA, I suppose the plate could be NW something something. But I couldn’t come up with a good decode for CTY. NW could also be “New.” But, still, probably an obscure reference. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeysBrother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@MonkeysBrother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeysBrother)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2363 "2026-02-05T19:26:58Z")
On an ill-lit section of freeway\*\*, I was passed by a black Prius-sized\* car with CA plates: **SCALCHK**. They went by in a hurry, no time to tell if the driver was tanned and had long blond hair. \*I didn’t recognize the car. They were moving fast and went by pretty quickly. It did, however, have very distinctive V-shaped tail lights in its spoiler wing. \*\*I was tempted to write “on a dark desert highway” but I was really still in the city and the windows were up, so no cool wind in my hair either. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2364 "2026-02-05T23:36:51Z")
**MEDUSAXO**. Sorry, don’t need any hugs or kisses from Medusa. Thanks anyway. **QUAPAW** , which turns out to be the name of a Native American group from the Arkansas-Oklahoma region. This one was in New York State, though, with an NY license plate. Judging from the bumper stickers, the owner is a Vietnam vet who strongly dislikes socialism (I _think_, as that sticker had too many words on it to read safely in traffic). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2365 "2026-02-06T19:59:37Z")
Scored a couple so far today: - **L⎵⎵⎵I** on a FL standard plate on a Mercedes S-series sedan. Up to now I’d never seen a two-character personalized FL plate. They’d done a nice job of putting enough spaces between the L & I that they were easy to read outboard of the visually confusing central logo of a standard FL plate. Based on the demographics of where I saw it, it means “I’m from Long Island, NY”. I suppose it could be someone’s initials, but IMO that’s not the way to bet. - **JET⎵AWAY** on a FL standard plate on a Hyundai SUV. They also had a handicapped driver hang tag on their mirror, so their jetting days are probably mostly behind them. - **BAAZO** on a FL standard plate on a different brand of SUV. Driver’s name or nickname? - **272** on a FL standard plate on a generic sedan. I’d never seen a 3-digit FL personal plate before either. What’s two hundred seventy two? Beats me. If we substitute letters for numbers as in 1=A, 2=B, etc., we get BGB which is also pretty baffling except maybe someone’s initials. I also saw a couple plates that were just his-n-hers initials like JFK DRK. Not worth remembering or mentioning. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2366 "2026-02-06T20:27:32Z")
Saw this one on the road an hour ago. I was a passenger. [![](https://i.gyazo.com/194e068b2992dcf85499f09ddab772bb.jpg) ](https://i.gyazo.com/194e068b2992dcf85499f09ddab772bb.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2367 "2026-02-06T20:32:09Z")
Cute. I like it. Even better if it had been **BEYOSEF**. I wonder if that was already taken or this person left that one for the next person with that idea? ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2368 "2026-02-07T00:20:29Z")
I’m in traffic, following, as a passenger, **HYPNO RX** **ROO AAH** , whatever that means. An unremarkable silver sedan. Both NY standard plates with plate holders from car dealers or repair shops ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2369 "2026-02-07T00:44:59Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > **ROO AAH** , whatever that means. Probably a take on one of Army’s or Marine’s semi-official cheers. I scored 2 more to/from dinner tonight: - **BISHOP⎵E** on a FL standard plate on an Escalade mongo SUV. “Bishop” being the term for most practicing Mormon men, and an Escalade having the passenger capacity appropriate to a smallish Mormon family, I tentatively conclude this dude named “E” is Mormon. And fairly successful at his career. - **SBABA** on a FL standard plate on a Tesla Model 3. I have no clue. But it has some interesting potential. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2370 "2026-02-07T04:19:23Z")
I spotted two tonight: - **GANJ** on a Mercedes C Class. A reference to the Ganges River, maybe? There is a pretty large Indian-American population around here. - **SHANTA** on a Toyota crossover. I’m guessing the driver’s nickname. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2371 "2026-02-07T04:40:54Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > **SHANTA** on a Toyota crossover. I’m guessing the driver’s nickname. Shanta in the Indian tradition is a woman’s name meaning ‘peaceful’, ‘serene’ or ‘tranquil’. It is my most beloved niece’s name. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2372 "2026-02-07T06:13:54Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > **GANJ** on a Mercedes C Class. A reference to the Ganges River, maybe? There is a pretty large Indian-American population around here. Might also be a sly way to have “Ganja” on a plate, though I think that your explanation is more likely. ---
**Author:** ![Topologist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/topologist/32/3208_2.png) [@Topologist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Topologist)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2373 "2026-02-07T14:24:52Z")
On a car I momentarily mistook for my own (hey, it was twilight, both red sedans, and it was parked two spots away from mine): **GR8PA**. A great-grandpa? A better than average grandpa? A particularly good dad? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2374 "2026-02-07T18:13:11Z")
**PURE IO** on a Tesla S • Added: And **O SKOOL 3** on a Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible Old school • Added 2: And **9QSTLM8** — likely a chess fan ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2375 "2026-02-07T18:25:40Z")
I’ve been sick, so I hadn’t left the house since Tuesday until I ventured to the grocery store this morning. I was immediately rewarded with **BLKSNAKE** on a large black truck at a stoplight. That’s the name of the National Guard unit stationed at the local airport. Then right after that I was following a white SUV with **FERG09** and a license plate border that said “Fergie’s Car”. Then I saw something really weird in the grocery store parking lot. Two cars parked next to each other with almost the same exact plate. **EAA0SH** (with a zero) on one and **EAAOSH** (with an O) on the other. I have no idea what either of them are supposed to mean and the cars they were attached to were totally different. One was a bright blue SUV and the other a grayish SUV. I’m honestly surprised that the state allowed both plates because they were really hard to tell apart. I did a literal double-take and reread both of them. The car owners had to have been at the store together, this was too much of a cosmic coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2376 "2026-02-07T19:12:29Z")
I am surprised about that O/0 thing. FL doesn’t allow the letter O at all. Every oh is really a zero. The distinction between B and 8 is subtle until you know what to look for. I don’t know where in the USA you are but here’s a theory on your mystery plates. EAA can stand for the Experimental Aircraft Association. Which is the national booster club for people who build their own private airplanes, usually from kits. They are headquartered in Oshkosh WI and have the worlds largest fly-in “Airventure” at the airport there every year. The FAA identifier for that airport is … OSH. See > **[EAA | Experimental Aircraft Association | Oshkosh, Wisconsin](https://www.eaa.org/eaa)** > > The Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA, based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, encourages and supports the flying, building and restoration of recreational aircraft and > **[EAA AirVenture Oshkosh | Oshkosh Air Show | Oshkosh, WI](https://www.eaa.org/airventure)** > > Official website of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, attracting more than 500,000 people and 10,000 airplanes each July. Dumb question about those plates: Are you _sure_ they’re from the same state? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2377 "2026-02-08T16:50:42Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > EAA can stand for the Experimental Aircraft Association. Which is the national booster club for people who build their own private airplanes, usually from kits. They are headquartered in Oshkosh WI and have the worlds largest fly-in “Airventure” at the airport there every year. The FAA identifier for that airport is … OSH. Having grown up in Wisconsin, and having done market research for the EAA during their annual Fly-In convention when I was in graduate school, “EAAOSH” is really clearly “EAA Oshkosh” to me. Is @Dr.Girlfriend in a state which doesn’t require front license plates? If so, I’m wondering if they saw front “plates” on those cars, which where unofficial / privately made ones. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2378 "2026-02-08T17:56:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Dumb question about those plates: Are you _sure_ they’re from the same state? Yes, positive. They were both the Indiana alternate “In God We Trust” plates. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Is @Dr.Girlfriend in a state which doesn’t require front license plates? If so, I’m wondering if they saw front “plates” on those cars, which where unofficial / privately made ones. Nope, these were rear plates. Indiana doesn’t require front plates. But the EAA Oshkosh actually does make some kind of sense and I _never_ would have thought of that. We do have a lot of people here in this area who moved here from Wisconsin when GM built a plant here. So that could be the explanation. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2379 "2026-02-08T18:01:05Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > But the EAA Oshkosh actually does make some kind of sense and I _never_ would have thought of that. We do have a lot of people here in this area who moved here from Wisconsin when GM built a plant here. So that could be the explanation. Thanks! The EAA Airshow every summer attracts both professional and sport pilots (and their planes) from across the U.S., and the world; for a week or so, Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh becomes, temporarily, the world’s busiest airport (based on traffic movements). My late uncle was a private pilot and EAA member, who lived in Virginia, and who regularly flew his Beechcraft Bonanza to Oshkosh for the convention. My guess would be that those two cars were driven by EAA members, who may or may not also be associated with the GM plant. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965/2380 "2026-02-09T13:23:48Z")
**EL YOTA1** — on an orange 4Runner **3 SMURF** — I’m guessing they’re a parent with 3 rugrats **YODA NRD** — on a black Ford Edge **WIR LES** — another Silicon Valley geek **B 1 AMG** — on a G Wagen **ADVDT25** — on a Porsche Taycan. I have NFC what this could mean. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965.md?page=118) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-licence-plates-seen-in-the-wild/992965.md?page=120)