Now Saudis Join Plate Purge

Vehicle licensing authorities in Saudi Arabia have banned the use of 'offensive' words and acronyms formed by western versions of their traditional Arabic characters.

The usual number plate format comprises three Arabic characters and three numbers, but it is becoming fashionable to replace the Arabic letters with the equivalent Roman characters.

Like the Americans, the Saudis can pay for special 'Vanity Plates' which allow them to choose their own combinations. Unfortunately, it appears that many are mischievously going for letters which form words like 'SEX', 'ASS' and 'NUT' when displayed as the Latin versions.

So far, the Riyadh government has drawn up a list of nine prohibited three-letter words and the licensing offices have been ordered to refuse renewals of offending plates.

Top of the list, as cynics might expect, is 'USA' but it also includes such seemingly inoffensive words as 'BUT', 'BAD. and 'BAR', although the latter is probably seen as a reference to alcohol - strictly forbidden in the Islamic state.

Personalised plates are becoming immensely popular with wealthy Saudis and some have sold at auction for sums equal to over £1million. It is estimated that the new rules will affect up to 90,000 motorists, all of whom will have to have their places replaced by more acceptable alternatives.

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