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Illinois 2025 Vanity Plate Rejections: The 'Priussy' Controversy

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 14:35 GMT by The Drive

Illinois’ 2025 Vanity‑Plate Rejections: Why “Priussy” and Others Got the Red Light

In early 2025 the Illinois Secretary of State’s office released a long‑awaited list of vanity‑plate requests that had been denied, and the headline‑grabbing one was “PRIUS Y” (styled “Priussy”). The case quickly went viral, sparking debate about free expression, state censorship, and the quirky world of personalized license plates. While the “Priussy” example is the most sensational, the full article reveals a pattern of rejections that highlight how Illinois’ policy on custom plates has evolved over the last decade.

The “Priussy” Plate – A Punning “Pussy” or a Clever Car Reference?

The applicant’s intent was never clearly stated in the public record, but most commentators inferred that “PRIUS Y” was a playful mash‑up of the Toyota Prius and the word “pussy.” The state’s disallowed‑words database, available on the Secretary of State’s website, flags any combination that can be interpreted as a sexual reference or as profanity. While “Prius” itself is a perfectly innocuous car name, the suffix “y” can create a phonetic similarity to “pussy.” That was enough for the automated review system to flag the plate as “sexual content,” which is prohibited under Illinois law.

According to a press release posted on the DMV website, the plate was rejected on the grounds that it “would be offensive to a reasonable person” (Section 6.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Identification Act). The agency clarified that any “word, letter, or combination of characters that is sexually suggestive or that alludes to sexual acts or parts” is disallowed. The “Priussy” request fell squarely into that category, and the applicant was offered a short window to resubmit an alternate plate that complied with the guidelines.

A Pattern of Rejections

The “Priussy” case is not an isolated incident. The article lists at least six other plates that were denied in the same batch, all of them for reasons ranging from crude language to political messaging:

These examples demonstrate how the state's review process has become increasingly vigilant about content that could be interpreted as sexual, violent, or otherwise inappropriate. The article cites an internal memo from the DMV’s Communications Division, which states that in 2023, Illinois reviewed over 2,500 vanity‑plate applications, rejecting 18% for content violations. The rate climbed to 22% in 2024, and the new 2025 policy was designed to reduce “the volume of frivolous or potentially offensive requests” while maintaining a streamlined application process.

The Review Process Explained

In Illinois, vanity‑plate requests are submitted online through the Secretary of State’s portal. Applicants pay a $30 base fee (plus $70 for a premium plate if they want an 8‑character plate) and can preview how the plate will look. Once the request is received, an automated system cross‑checks the requested characters against a database of disallowed words and phrases. If a match is found, the applicant receives an email notification and is asked to choose an alternate plate. If the request passes the algorithmic check, it moves to a human reviewer in the Office of Vehicle Identification.

The article quotes an anonymous DMV employee who explains that the human review step focuses on context: “We look at how the characters could be interpreted by a reasonable person. A single word can sometimes be harmless in one context but offensive in another.” The employee emphasized that the policy aims to strike a balance between personal expression and public decency.

Public Reaction and Appeals

The “Priussy” case sparked a flurry of social‑media commentary. Many Twitter users argued that the plate was a harmless pun and that Illinois was over‑censoring. Others called for a “freedom of expression” lawsuit. The DMV’s website hosts a forum where citizens can discuss these issues; a thread posted after the 2025 release had over 1,200 upvotes.

Applicants who feel their request was wrongly denied can file an appeal. The article links to the official appeal form, which requires a written explanation of why the plate is not disallowed. According to the DMV, appeals are heard by the Board of Review within 30 days of receipt. In most cases, the board either upholds the original decision or offers a revised, compliant plate that is close to the applicant’s original idea.

What the Future Holds

The article ends with a look ahead. The Secretary of State’s office plans to publish an updated disallowed‑words list every six months, allowing applicants to check potential plates before they submit. There are also talks about an API that developers can use to build “pre‑screening” tools for vanity‑plate applications. The state is also exploring machine‑learning models that can better understand context, reducing the number of false positives like “Priussy.”

As the policy evolves, the article notes that the key challenge will be maintaining a user‑friendly process while safeguarding against genuinely offensive content. The “Priussy” case serves as a cautionary tale: a single character can tip the scales from playful to disallowed, and it’s up to both applicants and the DMV to navigate this gray area responsibly.

Bottom line: Illinois’ 2025 vanity‑plate rejections highlight a broader trend of state governments tightening content standards for personalized plates. While the “Priussy” case grabbed headlines, it’s just one of several examples that illustrate the fine line between personal expression and public decency. The DMV’s policy, review process, and appeal options provide a framework for citizens to understand why certain requests are denied and how they can adapt their ideas to fit within the legal boundaries.