Driver shocked by new VicRoads number plates received during lockdown

A Victorian driver was stunned when his new number plates spelt out a very clear message, despite not ordering personalised plates.

A Victorian driver was “shocked” to receive a set of new government-issued number plates that seemed weirdly fitting in his current Stage 4 lockdown.

The Yarra Valley man posted a photo of his new plates to Facebook on Wednesday after registering a vehicle for sale with VicRoads.

Though he didn’t personalise the plates, they fittingly read “1SO 4ME” – a not-so-subtle nod to Melbourne’s current coronavirus restrictions.

RELATED: Sydney barrister in fight over ‘offensive’ number plate

The number plates were not personalised. Picture: Facebook

“I didn’t take much note of the plates as the woman passed them to me,” the man wrote in the post, according to Seven News.

“I was shocked when I realised later what the plates said.

“It says it all for every single person living in Melbourne right now.”

One person commented on the coincidental plates, saying: “Shame you can’t drive anywhere to show them off”.

Another said they’ll be worth a “small fortune”, Seven News reports.

While these plates will become distant memory once Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions ease, they’re nowhere near as controversial as some other plates that have been issued to drivers.

In another case in Victoria, Portland car owner Peter Hansen had to replace his personalised plates with generic ones, despite driving his 1971 Holden Torana with the number plate ‘WEPN’ for 10 years without a problem.

The number plates have been deemed too offensive by VicRoads. Picture: Supplied

But they were recalled by VicRoads in June after they were ruled to be offensive and inappropriate because they “reference violence”.

Sydney barrister Peter Lavac is still going through a legal battle of his own over the “offensive” number plate on his bright yellow Lamborghini, which reads: “LGOPNR”.

Barrister Peter Lavac – pictured at Palm Beach with his Lamborghini with rego plates "LGOPNR" – made international headlines after refusing to change his plates. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Peter Lavac said most people would never connect the dots and realise his number plate was cheekily saying “leg opener”.

But at least one person did connect those dots, and soon Transport NSW was calling for his plates to be removed.

Mr Lavac is still fighting the order to change his plates, promising Transport NSW a “war they will not believe”.

Originally published as Driver shocked by new VicRoads number plates received during lockdown