Woman who has ‘IAMISIS’ number plate banned from driving her car

A woman has been banned from driving with a personalised number plate that reads ‘IAMISIS’.

Isis Wharton is named after the Egyptian goddess Isis – but the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) warned her number plate might be confused with the brutal terrorist organisation.

‘Regardless of your intention, the configuration ‘IAMISIS’ can be construed as ‘I am Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),’’ the DMV’s letter read.

Isis, who reportedly plans to challenge the order, told KCRA, a California news channel: ‘I’m proud of my name. I’m proud that it’s on my car. I feel like, driving around, it looks cool.’

Leslie Jacobs, professor at the McGeorge School of Law believes Wharton’s personalised number plate is protected under the First Amendment – which concerns free speech.

Named after the Egyptian goddess Isis, the woman said she was surprised by the DMV’s decision. (Picture: KCRA via CNN)

‘So, most likely, the DMV is not going to be able to prevent her from saying that,’ she said.

Isis Wharton received the DMV’s letter on Friday. Wharton, who purchased the $50 plate back in 2022, said this was the first time she’d had any issues renewing it.

The DMV said the plate goes against Section 206 of the California Code of Regulations, which allows the agency to refuse plates associated with violence or illegality.

The letter said Wharton can request a hearing about the DMV’s decision. If she does not, her personalised plate will be cancelled and regular plates issued instead.

‘My mom was so upset. She loves my name, and she’s always been a big advocate for anyone that’s been offended by my name,’ the California woman said.

‘So, she was like, ‘Don’t just change it.’

In the UK, the DVLA regularly bans rude and offensive number plates, revealing its list of forbidden combinations every six months.

They include ‘TO25 POT’, ‘AR25 HOL’, and anti-ULEZ combinations like ‘NO74 LEZ’.

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