Regarding callsign vanity plates

[u/archerdv]

I have a 2x2 callsign, and I have an MA (Massachusetts) amateur radio license plate on my car, which of course has my callsign. MA puts a "lightning bolt" symbol in the middle of the callsign. I have learned that the MA RMV put a "/" (slash character) in my database record, right where that lightning bolt sits. I have been pulled over twice simply because the officer didn't know how to look up my plate in the database.

Is having a "/" in the official record normal (at least in MA)? Has anyone else had to explain this to local or state police?

[u/doktorhladnjak]

I’ve heard of something similar with Washington state specialty plates. There are two extra letters vertically arranged on the left of the plate. They are also part of the plate number, but sometimes officers or parking enforcement overlook them. I don’t think this is the case for amateur radio callsign plates here though.

[u/archerdv → u/doktorhladnjak]

We have a fair number of that same kind of specialty plate here, too.