Number Plate Stories

Well I never! - Rude plates you should never show your gran

By Ruby Speechley

From the beginning of the British registration system, there were concerns that some of the number plates issued might inadvertently spell or stand for something rude. Residents of Dorset back in 1903, where amongst the first to object. They didn’t want the allocation of the letters BF for their region because at the time, BF was a popular acronym for ‘Bloody Fool’. Their objections were deemed reasonable and BF was removed and replaced with FX.

By 1930, the authorities had a larger problem on their hands with the introduction of three letter plates. SEX, GOD and FUK are just a few that were omitted to prevent offence.

At the end of the 1950’s, BF and WC were allowed, but only in three letter combinations to disguise them. After being so careful, it was surprising that LOO and POO slipped through the censorship net. In 1996, DVLA reviewed others which it had previously banned. APE, BOG, FAG, HOG, LAV and 666 were all reinstated.

Further censorship issues arose in 2001 when the new number plate system began. Not only did the first two letters have to be scrutinised, but also whole words: DE--ATH, BU--LLY and PA--KKY, for instance. But in March 2002, Preston Local Office issued PO02 plates, proving it is not always possible to foresee every potentially offensive combination.

One of the best known ‘rude’ plates to have been issued is FU 2. Billy and Hanna Smart (of the circus family) owned it since the 1970’s. FU 2 was previously owned by notorious impresario, Paul Raymond. His girlfriend, nude model Fiona Richmond, had the plate on her primrose yellow E-type Jaguar. When she split from Raymond, she asked Hanna and Billy to buy the plate for her, hoping that some day she would be able to buy it back. Fortunately for Hanna, she never did.

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