‘HOKTUAH’ makes for a laugh, doesn’t make Illinois vanity plates

[January 09, 2025]  By Greg Bishop | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – While some requested vanity license plates may be clever, witty and funny, hundreds don’t make the cut.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office said in 2024, they received more than 60,000 vanity license plate requests.

“It’s safe to say that we all enjoy spotting clever and funny license plates on the road,” Giannoulias said. “Illinoisans are known for displaying their creativity when choosing customized license plates but they have to meet standards of good state and decency.”

Plate requests like MWMWMWM or OOQQOO were rejected because they are difficult to read. Others pushed the limits.

Giannoulias’ office highlighted the more controversial requests that were rejected, some are not suitable for broadcast, let alone for a license plate, he said.

“And new to this list this year and surprising noone, ‘HOKTUAH’” he said as he chuckled. “You knew that one was bound to show up this year.”

“HOKTUAH” stems from a viral man-on-the-street interview last year in Nashville, Tennessee, of reveler Hailey Welch’s response to an adult-themed question.

Others included “BADARSE,” “ILLCUTU,” and “HOHOHOE.”

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
Illinois Secretary of State

“BICHIN, JAGWEED, AXEHOLE, I see what you did there, WEENIE, GYATT, which I had to Google. ABADMF, MUNCH, which I’m told means more than it sounds. THICCAF, again, had to look that up. DUCKOFF, maybe they were using autocorrect,” Giannoulias said. “SHIDDED, did you really think we wouldn’t catch that?”

While they lacked subtlety, Giannoulias said many made him laugh.

“Now I don’t want to dissuade anyone from opting for a personalized license plate, but remember, go ahead, get creative, but please keep it clean,” he said.

The Secretary of State’s office maintains an ever-growing rejection list, which currently stands at more than 8,015 license plate combinations.

Illinois vehicle owners pay an extra $94 for a new vanity plate, which contains all letters. They pay an extra $47 for a new personalized plate, which is a combination of letters and numbers.

Drivers can request vanity and specialty plates at the Secretary of State’s website.