Aussie Man Has His Rego Plate 'WEPN' Cancelled For Being 'Offensive'

Ever since we were blessed with the opportunity to customise our vehicle number platers, people have loved getting to put a personal touch on their two or four wheels.

Everyone is well aware that you can't apply for registration plates that could be sexual or offensive.

But one Aussie bloke has discovered that the term 'offensive' can apply to loads of different things.

Peter Hansen, from Portland, Victoria, has had his 'WEPN' plate on his LC Torana for a decade and he's just been told that he can no longer have the beloved four letters adorned on his car.

7News

According to 7News, VicRoads said that the number plate, which is meant to say the word 'weapon', was offensive because it 'references violence'.

A statement from VicRoads said: "After careful consideration [we] have determined that as the combination has specific negative references, it may be considered offensive to the broader community and as such, have made the decision that it is inappropriate for public display."

That was supported by a statement from The Department of Transport, which added: "We review number plate combinations from time to time and we occasionally recall number plates that may be deemed inappropriate or offensive.

"We also reserve the right to recall number plates that may later be deemed offensive, disrespectful to the law or are inappropriate for display, such as plates that reference violence."

Hansen said that despite having the plates for 10 years, it appears VicRoads clamped down on the motorist because his wife ordered WEPN2 as a birthday present for his tow vehicle.

The application was rejected and then he got a letter in the mail that his WEPN plate would also be cancelled.

7News

He reckons that changing the number plate will devalue his car, which has been a star attraction at car shows in the past.

He's told Melbourne radio station 3AW: "Most cars that are show cars are like wrestlers, or there's a persona about the name. That's all this is, it's a name for my car.

"I've got the name out there. It's not Peter Hansen that gets invited to the Summer Nats, it's WEPN.

"People are more offended that people are doing this than of the word itself."

Peter has appealed to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal as well as the ombudsman to overturn the decision from VicRoads.

Topics: News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie