What drives Tasmanians to get personalised number plates?

Tasmania has more than 2500 applications for personalised number plates each year, but some are too rude or offensive to make the cut. SEE THE FULL LIST >>

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TRIBUTES to the COVID-19 pandemic and adults-only phrases are among the number plate combinations motorists have had rejected by TasPlates over the past six months.

But almost 100 quirky combos have been approved for registration in the past year.

More than 2500 applications are received for personalised plates in Tasmania each year as a way for people to add a bit of individuality, colour, and flair to their cars.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF REJECTED NUMBER PLATES BELOW >>

Dr Louise Grimmer, Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Retail at the University of Tasmania, said for many people cars were a way to represent themselves to others.

“The American business academic Professor Russell W. Belk describes this as the ‘extended self’. The extended self explains how certain possessions, in this case cars, are seen to be a part of ourselves and a part of our life story,” she said.

“So an expensive or vintage sports car, for example, becomes part of the identity of the owner.”

She said in a practical sense personalised number plates could make a vehicle stand out and are often seen as an investment.

Russell Hanson of Lindisfarne with one of his personalised plates he is looking to sell. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“From a consumer psychology perspective, these plates are another example of the extended self — in other words, they provide the owner with another opportunity to express themselves and communicate their individuality and exclusivity,” Dr Grimmer said.

“Sometimes plates are used in a humorous manner — a great example is the JU5T WED plates that were attached to the back of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding car.”

She said for many drivers who don’t have personalised plates, they were considered as ostentatious, a waste of money, and attention seeking.

“But for many others, they are considered to be a status symbol and people go to great lengths — and often pay huge sums — to obtain the perfect plate to indicate wealth and status,” she said.

Number plate xx xx xx xx x

“There are of course many drivers who don’t have a lot of money but who treasure their cars, and feel a personalised plate is an affordable way to personalise and make their car a little more special.”

Hobart’s Russell Hanson is looking to sell off two of his sets of personalised plate — both with a lot of meaning.

He said he used to own a red 1966 Mustang Coupe, and purchased the plates after being inspired by the song Mustang Sally.

“When I sold the car it went to Victoria, so I kept the plates but decided they needed to be on a Tasmanian Mustang, hence the sale.”

Russell Hanson of Lindisfarne with his personalised plates he is looking to sell. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The second set of plates were connected to his love for AFL.

Tasplates offered AFL themed plates up to 2017, leading Mr Hanson to get ROO777 in honour of his favourite club — North Melbourne.

However he said he’s passionate about Tassie having it’s own team, rather than paying two Melbourne teams millions each year.

“Hence as a personal protest I am selling my ROO777 plates.”

He and his wife had two other sets of plates not for sale.

After selling the Mustang, Mr Hanson bought a black 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe — one of two in Tasmania.

However when he sold the car it went to Victoria, leaving a market of one for the plates in Tasmania.

“I decided to keep the plates and put them on my car — a Toyota Rav4 Crusier. It creates a lot of comment.”

He said his wife had also jumped on-board, with the plates on her car being MEANDU.

LIST OF ACCEPTED NUMBER PLATES:

1BEAST

ANGRY8

CHANCE

DARTH

ETRUCK

FHAT

GOGOLD

INDIE

LAUNCH

MEN4CE

NAILED

PAYCHQ

POOH

SALUTE

SNOB

TWEET

WAYFWD

2EZY

BHILDA

CHOOCK

DETOUR

FATZ

FIJI

GONZA

LIFTER

MERCBZ

PECKER

POSH

SATUR8

STEED

TWISTD

XXIXX

3

BRAINS

CODES

DOG079

FEDUP

FREAK

JJJJ

HAIR

LOVEY

MMMM

NPOW3R

PLAU

RAPTQR

SCHMIC

STR337

VVIVV

YOB000

5HAD0W

BRKLYN

CRANK

DRIVEN

FEEDIT

GAZA

HELLO

KANGA

MADDOG

MUFFIN

NUT069

POKER

RIDEIT

SHRUBS

TREE

VVVV

ABSURD

BIG22

CRUSER

DUCAT

FEET

GHOST1

HER03

KINGY

MARS

MUM004

OLDM8

POKEY

RSPEC5

SMASHI

TROOP

W1CKED

AFL146

C4CTUS

CURSED

DUCK60

FEVER

GNGSTA

MUTTON

PAWSUP

PONY20

SABER

SNAKES

TWEEKD

W1ZARD

REJECTED PLATES

COV019

COVID

EZLAY

FILF

FML110

FONC

FOOKYU

FSU069

FTWxxx

GIVE69

KILLER

OFFO

TRI469

VCL

WET247

Follow @kaseywilkins95

Originally published as What drives Tasmanians to get personalised number plates?