A couple from Bristol, Jackie and John Cooke, are in the spotlight after the DVLA banned their cherished number plate ‘N14GAS’, purchased in 1997 to express their allegiance to football team Bristol Rovers. The agency’s recent classification of the plate as ‘offensive’ prompted the Cookes to find a creative solution.
The ‘N14GAS’ plate, symbolizing ‘Number one for the Gas’, was a proud manifestation of the couple’s unwavering support for their beloved team. After a prolonged exchange with the DVLA, the agency permanently banned the plate, citing concerns of potential misinterpretation as a racial slur.
Following deliberation on how to preserve their treasured memento, the couple decided to mount the number plate on their garden shed, as revealed to BristolLive. Jackie expressed, “We have found a place to exhibit our N14 GAS number plate - pride of place on our garden shed.”
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The Cookes initially received notification by post from the DVLA about the retraction of their plate. Despite contesting the decision and purchasing a replacement plate, they only received the promised refund of the replacement fee in April.
Amid the attention garnered by their story, the Cookes note the concerns raised about the potential offensiveness of postcodes, suggesting that areas with codes similar to ‘N14GAS’ could also be deemed offensive, impacting regions in Enfield and parts of London.
BristolLive has reached out to the DVLA for a response following this development.