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 >>
Tasmania
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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.
“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.
“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.”
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