From 'ALWZZ L8' to 'UGHHH' to 'PLEAD 5,' Nebraskans are increasingly using their car's license plates to make statements.

Applications for custom message plates have more than doubled in recent years, according to state data. Here are some of the messages Nebraskans wanted to display.

New applications for custom message plates have more than doubled in recent years from just under 6,600 in 2021 to more than 14,100 in 2023, according to state Department of Motor Vehicles data. There are now more than 80,000 vehicles with vanity plates in Nebraska.

That won’t come as much of a surprise if you’ve been paying attention while driving around Omaha, where it seems that every other car has a clever slogan or single word stamped on its license plate. Nebraska began allowing custom message plates in 1972, according to the DMV . They are available to order online for a $40 annual fee.

People are also reading…

"People are plate crazy," Betty Johnson, the administrator of the Nebraska DMV's driver and vehicle records division, said, though she isn't sure of the root cause for the increase.

The DMV keeps an ever-growing list of nearly 4,000 words, phrases and seemingly nonsensical strings of numbers and letters that have been rejected over the past 20 years, Johnson said.

It’s easy to see why some of the plates ended up on the restricted list. For example: "DRUGDLR," "HITMAN," "694PLAY," "EATACID," "HOODRAT," "0NLYFNS" and "C0RNSTR."

Some seem right on the line — "IFARTED," "CRAAAP," "F0XYGPA" and "KISSTHS."

And other restricted plates are head-scratchers: "HUMMUS," "EYEBALL," "HAMSTER," "CHURR0," "NEBP0ET" and "SKYDIVE" all made the rejected list, though Johnson said some messages were erroneously added prior to 2019 but not all of them have been removed from the lengthy file.

Most people apply for vanity plates through the DMV's website. If the word or phrase entered is on the restricted list, the plate is automatically rejected and the system will not let the user progress. If they make it past the first phase, the user must provide an explanation for their desired plate.

For any word or phrase not on the list, the message is reviewed by two randomly chosen frontline employees in the driver and vehicle records division. If both employees agree, the plate is either rejected or accepted. If the employees disagree, a supervisor gets to break the tie.

It isn't as simple as just sounding out the message.

"We have some features in our system — you can click on a link so it flips the word upside-down," Johnson said. "We have one that flips it backwards, so you can see what it looks like in a rear view mirror. And we have links to things like Urban Dictionary to run it through."

The DMV website says messages cannot "express, connote or imply objectionable, obscene or offensive words or phrases." But keeping up with trends, memes and "teenage lingo" makes catching every objectionable phrase difficult.

Take for example a few Nebraska license plates that users of X, the social network previously known as Twitter, have seen and shared: "FN2DRIV," "HAUKTUA," "C A BUTT," "YUR MOM," "METH USR," "DKLKR" or "FLT ERTH."

Every so often — once or twice a month, at most — the DMV will get an email or phone call from someone concerned about a message plate that they find objectionable, Johnson said. Only a handful of times per year does the concern result in the license plate being revoked.

With state statute only requiring that a license plate not be "obscene" or "objectionable," which is open for interpretation, Johnson said they are careful to only deny plates that clearly meet that standard.

Omaha World-Herald's top news photos of 2024

Sam Di Mauro, owner of Andy's Shoe Repair at 4954 Grover Street, in Omaha on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.

A rider steps off a bus on Harney Street in downtown Omaha during a snow storm on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

A runner jogs around Lake Cunningham during a winter storm in Omaha on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

Capt. Marc Ueda embraces his children, Masahiro, 9, Masumi, 11, and Harumi, 13, at Omaha Airport in Omaha on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Capt. Ueda and 9 other members of the 1-134th Cavalry Squadron Nebraska Army National Guard returned to Nebraska Saturday after deploying to Germany to support the training of Ukrainian forces.

A bald eagle swoops down to pick up a dead rabbit in a parking lot in Lincoln on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason poses for a portrait in his home in Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Byron Simmons, known as Boing the clown, left, paints clown makeup on Lochlynn Rager, 8, at a Clown Camp at the Tangier Shrine Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.

Dan Riskowski helps his son, Weston, 5, put on his life jacket as Colton, 4, holds out his own as they get ready to go fishing on Lake Cunningham in Omaha on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.

Brothers Alden, left, and Tyler Mays, volunteers with Least of My Brethren, carry a shelf out of a moving truck into Cindy Simon's new apartment in Council Bluffs on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Simon, 45, had been unhoused for about four years before moving into this apartment. Least of My Brethren is a volunteer and donation driven group dedicated to providing people furnished places to live as they come out of homelessness.

Cindy Simon watches as Alden Mays and other volunteers with Least of My Brethren move furniture and household supplies into her new apartment in Council Bluffs on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Simon, 45, had been unhoused for about four years before moving into this apartment. Least of My Brethren is a volunteer and donation driven group dedicated to providing people furnished places to live as they come out of homelessness.

Jailyn Hagaman, the youth services librarian, reads "The Great Eggscape" during a storytime and Easter egg hunt at the Baright Public Library in Ralston on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Gopala Pentornmetsa walks past his house near 212th Street and Fowler Avenue after it was leveled by an EF-4 tornado in Omaha, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

An EF-4 tornado damaged houses near 212th Street and Fowler Ave in Omaha on Friday, April 26, 2024.

Families sift through the destruction from an EF-4 tornado in Omaha on Friday, April 26, 2024.

A Friday EF-4 tornado damaged a home near 216th and Maple Streets in Omaha, on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

A student holds a sign reading "Stop the Genocide" as students and community members gather outside the University of Nebraska Union in Lincoln on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Warren Buffett talks with Katie Farmer, President and CEO of BNSF, at the BNSF booth during the 2024 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Shopping Day at CHI Health Center in Omaha on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Raisa Isaac-Rempher, originally of Naples, Fla., puts on her cap ahead of a commencement ceremony for earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Creighton University in Omaha on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Dan Bouska examines a baseball glove sent in for repair in his basement shop in Omaha on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Dan Osborn, independent candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks during a press conference announcing he will not accept any party or political endorsements at his home in Omaha on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Judy and Mike Allen pose for a portrait in their Omaha home on Friday, May 17, 2024. The two married over the weekend after reconnecting with each other again, 66 years after their days as high school sweethearts.

A basketball backboard is melted after a fire at 8604 Orchard Ave. in Omaha on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. An Omaha firefighter was electrocuted by a downed power line while fighting the fire.

A mesocyclone storm that dropped two-inch hail makes its way south over Omaha on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Julie Roberts, 46, wipes away a tear while talking about her husband, Bennette Roberts, 50, as she views the motorcycle gear that she keeps in her Omaha apartment on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Bennette Roberts died in a fatal motorcycle crash on April 14.

Fireworks follow the Omaha Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

Milk Ruiz, left, Jade Monroe, Nevaeh Parker and Grace Johnson, all of Omaha, cool off from the heat and rest before walking in the Fourth of July parade in Ralston, on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Ashley McClinton, left, hugs Sarah Brooks, unit secretary, right, when bringing her son, Buddy McClinton, 10-months-old, to the NICU at Women’s Methodist Hospital to see the nurses who helped her during their 116-day NICU stay in Omaha, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

Nebraskans listen to community members speak during a town hall on Gov. Jim Pillen's proposed property tax plan at the University of Nebraska Wick Alumni Center in Lincoln on Monday, July 22, 2024.

Aly Gilbert of Manhattan, Kan. floats through the North Fork Whitewater Park with her sons, Flynn, 9, and Ryker, 7, in Norfolk on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

Heather Leonovicz, center, and, from left, sons Hunter and Jacob dry off their chickens after a storm blew through their Omaha yard near 120th Street on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

A tree is seen uprooted on a house near 42nd and Pacific Streets after severe weather hit Omaha on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Angel Flores, right, gives Elias Lopez a haircut outside of the Ace Of Fades Barbershop in Omaha on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. Severe weather knocked out power to 100,000's in the Omaha area on Wednesday. Flores said it was too hot to do inside the barbershop, so he cut Lopez's hair in front, on the corner of 13th and Vinton Streets in the shade before it got too hot out. The high for Omaha was forecast to be in the low 90s according to the National Weather Service.

Fifth grader Nolan Wrench high-fives and walks through a tunnel made by Millard South High School football players on the first day of school at Upchurch Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.

Zack Feinberg, guitarist for The Revivalists, left, and David Shaw, lead vocalist, play their guitars together during their performance at Outlandia Music Festival at Falconwood Park in Bellevue, on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a campaign rally at the Astro Theater in La Vista on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.

Attendees watch the Democratic National Convention at a watch party for Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's speech at Sam and Louie's restaurant in Alliance, Neb. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. Gov. Walz was a teacher and a football coach in Alliance before moving to Minnesota.

A storm illuminates the sky behind Carhenge in Alliance, Neb. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.

A worker puts the finishing touches on the new Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion, right, at the Joslyn Museum in Omaha on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. The building on the left is the original building for the Joslyn Museum.

Stella Ahrens, of Nehawka, Neb., kisses her cow, Fiona, before showing her at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, Neb., on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Fatima, left, and Esteban Rodriguez, both of Marquette, Neb., wait in line for food at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, Neb., on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Normal Carlson, of Bellevue, covers his ears as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds zip by during the Defenders of Freedom Air and Space Show in Offutt Air Force Base on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Pamela Caraballo, who has a child at Northwest High School, reacts emotionally as she waits outside for students to be released after a school shooting in Omaha on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. One student was injured after being shot during an altercation with another student, according to police.

Del Williams, left, embraces, Novi Williams after Novi was released from Northwest High School after a shooting at the school in Omaha on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. One student was injured after being shot during an altercation with another student, according to police.

Laura Field, executive vice president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, speaks at a press conference for positive immigration solutions on the steps of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Winston Schneider, 16, plays the piano at the Omaha Conservatory of Music in Omaha on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

Doug Wesselmann, known on-air as Otis XII, looks out the window while talking about his storied career inside the KNVO studio on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Wesselmann's last broadcast on KNVO was Oct. 4th after over 18 years.

Pranvitha Sagi, left, throws a rock into Lake Zorinsky as her mother, Madhavi Sagi, right, walks on the stone shore in Omaha, Neb., on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

Michael Jamieson plugs chords into a large skeleton Halloween decoration in front of his home in Omaha on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.

Chappell Roan performs the final show of “The Midwest Princess Tour” at Westfair Amphitheater in Council Bluffs on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024.

Chappell Roan performs the final show of “The Midwest Princess Tour” at Westfair Amphitheater in Council Bluffs on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024.

Isabella Gomez performs a traditional style dance at a cultural dance event hosted by Raíces de México at Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.

From left, Yoselin Ramirez and Alexia Hernandez, dance at a cultural dance event hosted by Raíces de México at Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.

State Sen. Tony Vargas and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon shake hands after a televised debate over issues facing Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District at Nebraska Public Media in Lincoln on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.

Jasmine Harris, program manager of RISE, helps Jason Kotas, who was previously incarcerated, fill out a document in line at the Douglas County Election Commission in Omaha, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. The Nebraska Supreme Court issued an order Wednesday that allows people with felony convictions to register to vote in the November general election.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz points to the blue dot pin on his jacket at a campaign rally at SumTur Amphitheater in Papillion, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Gov. Walz campaigned twice in the Omaha area during the 2024 presidential race.

Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican stands for a portrait at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. During his 18-year tenure as Nebraska chief justice Heavican has not shied away from controversial opinions, even when that means dissenting from his colleagues.

Mary Schaaf, right, holds Virginia Picket’s hand while they visit at Good Samaritan Society in Omaha on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. Schaaf is 80 years old and just retired from her career in nursing.

Jaslyn Aguirre, 5, of Omaha, is dressed as a princess and stands for a portrait in Omaha, on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.

Scott Hill fills out his ballot at Metropolitan Community College Elkhorn Valley Campus' polling location, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Omaha, Neb.

With results still too close to call, State Sen. Tony Vargas stands with his mother, Lidia Vargas, left, and his wife, Lauren Micek Vargas, right, after speaking to supporters during an election night watch party at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Vargas was defeated by incumbent Rep. Don Bacon.

Brian Prokop holds his and his fiancee Tracy Bequett’s cat, Ballsac, at their home in Kennard on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. The cat went missing after a tornado destroyed most of the structures on the property, including their and Bequett’s father’s homes, in April. Six months later, Ballsac was found and returned home.

Members of the Omaha Benson JROTC prepare for a Veteran's Day ceremony at Memorial Park in Omaha on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.

Neeraj Agarwal, of Clarity Development, stands for a portrait in front of one of his developments, 500 S. 18th St., in Omaha on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

Antonio Martinez plugs a string of Christmas lights in on the Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

Patrick Hrouda, a former member of 50th Street Landing’s transitional living program, poses for a portrait at one of 50th Street Landing’s step-up houses in Omaha on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The program aims to put parolees on a better path.

Asma Abdikadir, right, zips up the coat of her cousin Mohamed Ali, 1, as they wait for bags at baggage claim at Eppley Airfield in Omaha on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Asma and other extended family members waited at the airport to greet Mohamed and his family upon their arrival from a refugee camp in Kenya. Mohamed’s father, Ali Mohamed Lujendo, fled Somalia and spent 19 years living in refugee camps.