‘SPANKME,’ ‘FKTRUMP’ and 40 other license plates recently banned by Quebec’s SAAQ

Since first allowing custom license plates back in 2018, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) often has to draw the line between creative expression and complete chaos on Quebec roads.

Spoiler alert: a lot of people don’t know where that line is.

Lucky for you, we just got our hands on this year’s rejection list — covering February 2025 to February 2026 — courtesy of the SAAQ’s media relations coordinator. And wow, did some applicants test the limits.

From people trying to sneak profanity past the filters to someone literally attempting to register an emoji, this year’s batch had it all.

Before we dive in, here’s a quick refresher on what’ll get your vanity plate rejected:

• It’s already taken
• It breaks alphanumeric formatting rules
• It mimics law enforcement or government vehicles
• It promotes unsafe driving
• It’s obscene, scandalous, or sexual
• It uses offensive language
• It references criminal activity
• It’s too similar to another plate
• It violates trademarks

Got it? Good. Now let’s see what got shut down.

Cosplaying as cops

A few people thought they could pass themselves off as law enforcement. They couldn’t.

That last one is genuinely impressive. Imagine trying to register a plate that spells out the name of the organization you’re applying to. Bold move.

Broadcasting bad decisions

These plates basically scream: “I shouldn’t be behind the wheel.”

The confusing ones

Some plates got flagged because they’d be too easy to misread mix up with others on the road.

Trademark violations

Some plates got flagged for using brand names or protected trademarks.