Phoenix
AI Assisted Icon
Published on January 21, 2025
Arizona Department of Transportation Criticized for Alleged Political Bias in Personalized License Plate ApprovalsSource: Walser123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is facing criticism for inconsistencies in its personalized license plate approvals, with accusations of a double standard surfacing after the agency allowed plates with anti-Joe Biden messages to circulate but quickly rescinded those against former President Donald Trump, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Personalized plates containing phrases such as "B1DNSUX" and "JOESUX" were approved, while those featuring "FFAUCI" have since been revoked.

Despite ADOT's strict policy against plates that could be deemed obscene or offensive, which includes references to sexual content, drugs, or profanities, the decision to permit anti-Biden plates raised questions about potential political bias, the system approved these plates but a plate-like "FORDSUX" didn't fly past their regulations. According to ADOT, some plate requests that were previously flagged are now passing due to shifts in public sensitivity to certain phrases and words, with Doug Nick from ADOT stating, "If you put in an obviously profane word, it’s going to kick you out right away," during a September 6 review, as noted in the FOX 10 Phoenix report.

ADOT keeps a close eye on vanity license plates, rejecting those that veer into juvenile humor or obscenity. A public records request by the Phoenix New Times uncovered more than 35,000 rejected entries, highlighting the agency's strict standards. These rejected quips, now part of the state's index of disallowed plates, reflect the vast array of creative, yet ultimately unsuccessful, attempts by drivers to personalize their rides.

Phoenix-Transportation & Infrastructure