A married couple have had their personalised number plate withdrawn by the DVLA because it could be ‘potentially offensive’ and on the grounds that of “political, racial or religious sensitivities”. Jackie and John Cooke, a couple from Frampton Cotterell in North Bristol, expressed their dismay after the DVLA retracted their cherished personalised number plate on grounds it could be deemed ‘offensive’.
The number plate, ‘N14 GAS’, pictured below, was acquired by the Cookes back in 1997. They claim that the suggestion came directly from DVLA staff.
As staunch Bristol Rovers fans, the plate represented ‘Number one for the Gas’, in reference to the nickname of their beloved football team. However, just before Christmas, the DVLA sent them a letter stating the plate had been flagged as ‘potentially offensive’ and could be mistaken for a racial slur.
The letter, seen by BristolLive, says: “The vehicle registration number has been brought to our attention as being potentially offensive. By law, the Secretary of State can revoke the right to display a vehicle registration number, if it appears to him that there are special reasons for doing so. Given the potentially offensive nature of this vehicle registration number, a decision has been taken to withdraw it from use.”
Jackie said: “In 27 years, no one has ever complained about this registration number being offensive. In fact, we can’t see how it can possibly be offensive!
“I have asked the DVLA to explain why it is offensive, but as yet haven’t received a reply. The DVLA removed ‘N14 GAS’ from the GOV website on Dec 4, before informing my husband, who is the registered keeper, so that must be an offence in itself.
“Our car registration was changed back to the original registration number, which we were totally unaware of, as the letter from the DVLA only arrived late in the day on Dec 7.”
The DVLA letter explains the couple’s replacement registration and how they need to contact their insurance company to tell them of the change. It went on: “Before a new range of registration numbers are issued or are made available under the Personalised Registration scheme, DVLA tries to identify combinations that may cause offence.
“On occasions where the Agency is made aware that a potentially offensive registration number has been released in error, steps are immediately taken to withdraw it. I realise that the decision to withdraw this registration number will be disappointing to you.
“However, the Agency adopts a clear policy of withdrawing potentially offensive registration numbers either from normal issue or from its sales scheme. Such marks are withdrawn if they are likely to cause offence or embarrassment to the general population in this country on the grounds of political, racial and religious sensitivities, or simply because they are in poor taste.”
Bristol Rovers fans Jackie and John Cooke have had this number plate since 1997 – it symbolises ‘Number one for the Gas’, the Gas being the football club’s nickname
(Image: Jackie and John Cooke)
John and Jackie were informed by the DVLA that they could select a new registration plate valued at £250, the price they originally paid back in 1997.
Jackie added: “We still have the receipt, no mention is made of inflation. We are incensed that we are to lose our treasured car registration and it is seriously affecting our mental health.”
The couple was later offered an alternative number plate ‘JJ64GAS’, which they accepted temporarily, hoping to get their original plate back eventually. Jackie also mentioned a recent conversation with her local MP, who suggested that their original registration might be interpreted as an offensive term.
BristolLive has reached out to the DVLA for a statement regarding the issue.