A California driver managed to acquire a unique license plate that, when reflected in a mirror, spells out an illegal phrase. Despite regulations prohibiting offensive or slang language, the driver bypassed the laws, as reported by Boing Boing.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles allows for personalized license plates with a combination of letters, numbers, and characters, ranging from 2 to 7 characters. Additionally, the state offers historical, military, and special interest plates supporting various initiatives and programs.

Military plates include Congressional Medal of Honor, Gold Star Family, and Purple Heart, among others, while special interest plates cater to agriculture, arts, coastal preservation, and more. Vintage license plates are also available for vehicles of historical interest.

New York issued the first license plate in 1901, requiring owner initials to be displayed conspicuously. George F. Chamberlain received the inaugural plate under this law.

Despite strict regulations, the California driver’s inventive license plate highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing personalized plate standards.