VEH.3.4.030 Personalized License Plates

In this section, "personalized registration plates" means either of the following:

(a) A registration plate for a motor vehicle registered under this ordinance which displays a registration composed of letters or numbers, or both, requested by the applicant. Personalized registration plates under this paragraph shall be of the same color and design as regular registration plates and shall consist of numbers or letters, or both, not exceeding 5 positions and not less than one position for a plate issued for a motorcycle or not exceeding 7 positions and not less than 1 position for all other plates.

(b) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in Section VEH.3.4.020 for a vehicle specified under Section VEH.3.4.020 which displays the applicable symbol of the authorized special group to which the person belongs and a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 6 positions and not less than 1 position, requested by the applicant.

(1) The request and alternate thereto is received by the department in writing by mail by the 15th day of the month in which the vehicle is to be registered;

(d) The request is accompanied by the proper fee, an application for original or renewal vehicle registration and the proper registration fee;

(1) The requested combination of numbers or letters has not already been issued.

(e) In addition to the regular application fee provided for in this ordinance, the applicant for a personalized registration plate issued on an annual basis shall pay a fee of $15 for the issuance of the plate and $15 in each succeeding year to maintain the plate.

(f) Each personalized registration plate issued shall be reserved for the recipient in succeeding registration periods and shall not be duplicated for issuance to any other person if the recipient maintains the plate, unless the recipient authorizes the issuance of the plate to another person. If the recipient does not maintain the plate for two successive years which are not plate issuance years or if the recipient does not specifically request re-issuance of the personalized license plate by the end of the month in which the plate expires in a plate issuance year, the department may reissue the personalized registration plate to another applicant.

(g) If an individual in possession of a personalized registration plate does not maintain the personalized registration plate during a year which is not plate issuance year, the individual shall:

(1) Dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department;

(2) In addition to the regular application fee, pay a $4 fee for the issuance of replacements plates; and

(3) Return the certificate of title to the department for correction.

(h) The department may refuse to issue any combination of letters or numbers, or both, which carry connotations offensive to Lac Courte Oreilles heritage or traditions, to good taste or decency, or which would be misleading or in conflict with the issuance of any other registration plates. All decisions of the department with respect to personalized registration plate applications shall be final and not subject to judicial review.

(i) The department may cancel and order the return of any personalized registration plates issued which contain any combination of letters or numbers, or both, which the department determines may carry connotations that are offensive to the Lac Courte Oreilles heritage or traditions, good taste and decency or which may be misleading. Any person ordered to return such plate shall either be reimbursed for any additional fees they paid for the plates for the registration year in which they are recalled, or be given at no additional cost replacement personalized registration plates, the issuance of which is in compliance with this ordinance. A person who fails to return personalized registration plates upon request of the department may be required forfeit not more than $200.