A Bristol couple had their personalized number plate 'N14 GAS', a tribute to their football team, revoked by the DVLA due to concerns it could be mistaken for a racial slur. The couple insists the registration was never intended to be offensive and is baffled by the decision.
A married couple from North Bristol was left stunned when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency ( DVLA ) revoked their personalized number plate 'N14 GAS' after nearly three decades of use. The couple, John and Jackie Cooke, claimed the registration, a tribute to their beloved football team Bristol Rovers , was never intended to be offensive. The DVLA , however, cited concerns that the plate could be mistaken for a racial slur and instructed them to replace it promptly.
\Jackie Cooke recounted that in 27 years, no one had ever complained about the registration being offensive. She expressed confusion and frustration over the DVLA's decision, stating that they had not received a satisfactory explanation. The revocation occurred without prior notice, with the plate being removed from the GOV website before informing her husband, the registered keeper. The DVLA only sent a letter informing them of the change on December 7th, after their car registration had already been reverted to the original number. \ A letter from the DVLA, seen by BristolLive, explained that the cancellation was due to the 'potentially offensive nature' of the registration. It stated that the Secretary of State has the legal authority to revoke a vehicle registration if there are 'special reasons' for doing so. The DVLA emphasized their policy of withdrawing potentially offensive registrations, citing concerns about political, racial, and religious sensitivities. As compensation, the couple was offered a new registration number with an equivalent value. However, they rejected this offer, stating that the original registration was irreplaceable and that the situation was seriously affecting their mental health. They were later given the alternative plate 'JJ64GAS' on a temporary basis while continuing to hope for the return of their original number. Jackie Cooke recently contacted her local MP, who informed her that the registration number could be misconstrued as a certain offensive word.
DVLA Number Plate Offense Bristol Rovers Personalized Registration
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