MVD revokes 'UAH8R ' personalized plate after complaint : AZ IMC

MVD revokes 'UAH8R' personalized plate after complaint

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TEMPE - Arizona State alumnus Scott Spencer might not like the University of Arizona, but he doesn't get to say that on his license plate anymore.

The Department of Motor Vehicle has forced the former Sun Devil to trade in his "UAH8R" personalized license plate.

"I had to fork it over," said Spencer, a 1993 ASU graduate who now lives in Chandler.

State law allows the MVD to cancel or refuse to issue a plate with any message "that carries connotations that are offensive to good taste and decency." A review committee meets monthly to look over questionable applications as well as complaints and appeals, said MVD spokeswoman Cydney DeModica.

State regulations require MVD to reject requests for plates that are obscene or make references to certain body parts or sexual or excretory functions.

Drug-related plates and those that show "contempt for or ridicule or superiority of a class of persons" are also prohibited, DeModica said.

"We're respectful of the messages people want to have on their license plates," she said, "but the committee is also very respectful and mindful of motorists who want to express their feelings."

Spencer said he received notice of a complaint about his license plate in a letter dated May 31. He appealed, but in August, the MVD plate-review committee denied it.

Under state regulations, Spencer is entitled to a prorated refund or another personalized ASU plate.

He said MVD office staff told him "4K EM" was prohibited and "4K UA" was not available. While they initially accepted his request for a plate reading "UASUX," Spencer said he soon received a letter stating his latest request would have to go before the review committee.

So Spencer decided to ask for a license plate honoring former Sun Devil Pat Tillman, who forsook a lucrative NFL contract after the Sept. 11 attacks to join the Army. He was killed in Afghanistan last year.

"They said that's not offensive and they'd issue that one," he said.