Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules  
Administrative Rules Division (ARD)  
REQUEST FOR RULEMAKING (RFR)  
1. Department:  
State  
2. Bureau:  
Vehicles & Watercraft  
3. Promulgation type:  
Full Process  
4. Title of proposed rule set:  
Michigan Personalized Plates Rules  
5. Rule numbers or rule set range of numbers:  
R 257.11 - R 257.20  
6. Estimated time frame:  
6 months  
Name of person filling out RFR:  
Erin Lillie  
E-mail of person filling out RFR:  
Phone number of person filling out RFR:  
517-648-8707  
Address of person filling out RFR:  
Richard H. Austin Building, 4th Floor  
430 W. Allegan  
Lansing, MI 48909  
7. Describe the general purpose of these rules, including any problems the changes are intended  
to address.  
To establish rules for the issuance of personalized license plates under MCL 257.803b and MCL  
257.803m.  
8. Please cite the specific promulgation authority for the rules (i.e. department director,  
commission, board, etc.).  
"The secretary of state may promulgate rules pursuant to Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969,  
as amended, being sections 24.201 to 24.315 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, necessary to  
administer this act.” MCL 257.204(2).  
A. Please list all applicable statutory references (MCLs, Executive Orders, etc.).  
MCL 257.204(2), MCL 257.803b, and MCL 257.803m.  
B. Are the rules mandated by any applicable constitutional or statutory provision? If so, please  
explain.  
No.  
9. Please describe the extent to which the rules conflict with or duplicate similar rules,  
compliance requirements, or other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
The rules do not conflict with or duplicate similar rules, compliance requirements, or other  
standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
MCL 24.239  
RFR-Page 2  
10. Is the subject matter of the rules currently contained in any guideline, handbook, manual,  
instructional bulletin, form with instructions, or operational memoranda?  
provides:  
"Under sections 257.803b and 257.803m of the Michigan Vehicle Code, the Secretary of State  
may issue a personalized license plate instead of a standard plate. This voluntary program allows  
individuals to request a particular configuration for their license plate. The Michigan Vehicle Code  
requires that the Secretary of State prescribe the letters and numbers for all plates, however, not all  
requests will be granted.  
The Secretary of State will not issue a configuration of either letters, numbers, or letters and  
numbers that carries a connotation that is profane-or obscene; is a swear word of depiction of a  
swear word; is sexually explicit or graphic; is excretory-related; is used to describe intimate body  
parts or genitals; is used to describe alcohol, alcohol use, drugs, drug culture or drug use; is used  
to describe illegal activities or illegal substances; substantially interferes with plate identification  
for law enforcement purposes; is used to disparage or promote or condone hate or violence  
directed at any type of business, group or persons, a foreign word falling into these categories, or  
that conflicts with the regular license plate numbering system.  
Please note: The Michigan personalized plate program is a voluntary program and may be  
suspended or canceled at any time. Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, the license plate is state  
property. Once issued, if at a later date the plate choice is determined to conflict with the standards  
listed, the Department of State may recall the license plate."  
11. Are the rules listed on the department’s annual regulatory plan as rules to be processed  
for the current year?  
No.  
12. Will the proposed rules be promulgated under Section 44 of the Administrative Procedures  
Act, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.244, or under the full rulemaking process?  
Full Process  
13. Please describe the extent to which the rules exceed similar regulations, compliance  
requirements, or other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
The rules would not exceed similar regulations, compliance requirements, or other standards  
adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
14. Do the rules incorporate the recommendations received from the public regarding any  
complaints or comments regarding the rules? If yes, please explain.  
No. This proposed rule has not been submitted to the public for comment.  
15. If amending an existing rule set, please provide the date of the last evaluation of the rules  
and the degree, if any, to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed  
the regulatory activity covered by the rules since the last evaluation.  
This proposed rule does not amend a current rule.  
16. Are there any changes or developments since implementation that demonstrate there is no  
continued need for the rules, or any portion of the rules?  
This proposed rule does not amend a current rule.  
MCL 24.239  
RFR-Page 3  
17. Is there an applicable decision record (as defined in MCL 24.203(6) and required by MCL  
24.239(2))? If so, please attach the decision record.  
No  
Based on the information provided in this RFR, MOAHR concludes that there are sufficient  
policy and legal bases for approving the RFR. The RFR satisfies the requirements of the  
Administrative Procedures Act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, and Executive  
Order No. 2019-6.  
MCL 24.239  
;