Keep it CL34N
Blog - 6 February 2026
What does the Custom Plates combination vetter do?
Custom plates are the perfect way to express yourself and show what means the most to you. However, it's our job to make sure everyone is on their best behaviour. You may not know it, but every custom plate order goes through a vetting process before we send it out to you.
When you order a custom plate online, you'll get an email confirming we've received your request. It's then up to our specialist Custom Plates vetter to approve your combination.
What does the Custom Plates combination vetter actually do?
1. Ensures your combination is fitting for the community.
Our vetter has a sense of humour, but it's our policy to ensure that this sense of humour meets the community standard. Your combination may be personal and funny to you, but would the driver behind you feel the same way? We want to make sure everyone on the road feels safe and respected.
What to avoid:
- Inappropriate language, racial, religious, sexual, physical, or mental health references
- Poor road safety message
- Reference to violence, weapons or terrorist organisations
- References to illicit drugs and substances
- References prohibited by Defence (Prohibited Words and Letters) Amendment Regulations 2000 and War Precautions ACT Repeal ACT 1920
- Misleading representation that a vehicle is owned or operated by a department or agency of the Commonwealth, State or Territory.
Acronyms or abbreviations for any of the above should also be avoided. Our vetter is very cluey and keeps up to date with slang and current trends. We’re also on the lookout for combos that may seem innocuous or obscure when read from left to right, but are inappropriate when viewed backwards or in a mirror.
2. Acts as the bearer of bad news if your plate is rejected
In the case that your combo is rejected, not all is lost! In some instances, the vetter will send you an email to clarify your chosen combination. Replying with "it’s my nickname" or "it’s my dog’s name" won't be sufficient. You'll need to provide supporting evidence for your requested plate to demonstrate why it's appropriate.
The vetter will also give you the right to appeal. Appealing doesn’t necessarily mean the decision will be overturned, but there are some things you can do to help your argument:
- If your combination is linked to a name or place of birth, you should share identification documents that support this.
- If your combination is linked to a business name, it's a good idea to provide official documentation to validate your claim and an image of the vehicle with business signage to show context
There will always be community standards and internal policies we need to meet, so appeals won't always be successful. But providing this detail can help legitimise your claim when it's reviewed.
If you win the appeal, your plates will be issued – but we still reserve the right to recall the plate at any time if a complaint is received and the reasoning for recall is deemed valid. Please refer to the Custom Plates Terms and Conditions.
When a custom plate is rejected, the customer will receive a full refund.
So, there you have it! Our custom plate vetter looks forward to reviewing your combo! They hate being the bearer of bad news – so please K33P 1T CL3AN!