THREE-LETTER combinations on your auto license plate — your initials or your name — have become a status symbol with many people since such combinations were originally introduced on a limited basis for 1974 plates by Secretary of State Michael J. Howlett.
Anybody can request such a combination, but a request must be accompanied by the preprinted registration renewal form and, of course, the sender's check or money order to pay the annual fee. (There is no added charge for a special request.) These forms were mailed in late July. No letter or number combination can be reserved or guaranteed, but those already lucky enough to have a 'distinctive license plate they wish to retain have a right to reassignment under the law, if requested by September 30. Anyone wanting a special combination should mail the request as soon as possible. Letters are limited to three on passenger cars and a total of six combined letters and digits. It's a good idea to add to the combination requested "or lowest number available in the letter series."
Mathematically, almost 18,000 combinations are possible from the 26 letters of the alphabet, but only some 3,500 combinations are being issued this year. A minimum of 50 plates in a series is required when ordering a new combination. If the combinations were not limited, a heavy surplus of unused plates would result. And while some combinations are desirable for particular individuals (names such as ANN, BOB, SUE, JOE, PEG, etc.) others are distasteful or even unmentionable.
Special license numbers are popular in Illinois. Last year some 800,000 motorists asked to retain their numbers, and an additional 285,000 asked for a special number or combination. While some states charge an extra fee for handling such requests, Illinois does not. The renewals and requests make extra work, but on the other hand by getting people to send their applications well in advance of the end of the year, they spread out the workload in the motor vehicle department.
September 1976 / Illinois Issues / 13