The Minnesota Department of Public Safety confirmed Friday that it is reviewing every personalized license plate issued in the state after it revoked an anti-Muslim plate spotted in St. Cloud that was deemed offensive.
A total of 98,565 personalized plates are under review, department spokesman Bruce Gordon said. The review is intended to ensure compliance with state law that says, "No words or combination of letters placed on these plates may be used for commercial advertising, be of an obscene, indecent, or immoral nature, or be of a nature that would offend public morals or decency."
The personalized plate that sparked the outrage, which said "FMUSLMS," made the rounds on social media before being revoked by the department on Monday. Gov. Mark Dayton weighed in, saying he was "appalled" by the plate, which he called "offensive."
The plate was traced to a 1987 Chevrolet pickup owned by Chad Betland of Big Lake. He said the truck's previous owner had requested the personalized plates.
Gordon said the department's Driver and Vehicle Services Division "continues to review the process for approving personalized license plates, including the one that was brought to our attention this week. While that review is underway, we have added additional review and oversight of applications."
Concerns about personalized plates that motorists consider to be obscene, indecent, or immoral, may be sent to dvs.motor.vehicles@state.mn.us for review, he said.
Janet Moore • 612-673-7752
