ICBC orders Kamloops man to return ‘FIVE-0’ licence plate over police reference

After nearly 10 years on the road, a Kamloops man’s personalized “FIVE-0” licence plate is being recalled — and he says he’s stunned.

Jimmy Jay says he received a letter from ICBC last week informing him that his vanity plate, which he’s proudly displayed for close to a decade, must be surrendered because it violates guidelines that prohibit references to law enforcement.

“Five-0” is widely known as slang for police — popularized in part by the long-running TV series Hawaii Five-0. But Jay says the plate has personal meaning: he served as a police officer in the 1990s, grew up watching the show, and even operates a forklift at work labelled “5-0.”

“I was totally caught off guard,” he said. “I should be exempt. If they wanted to recall it, they could have done it years ago. I just don’t want to give it up.”

A photo of his truck shows the plate proudly mounted on the rear — something he says he never imagined would cause an issue after so many years without complaint.

ICBC apologizes for recall

ICBC spokesperson Lindsay Wilkins said the insurer “apologizes for any disappointment,” but added that the plate never should have been approved in the first place.

The corporation periodically reviews vanity plates to make sure they comply with rules that restrict references to law enforcement, politics, public figures, religion and other protected categories.

“The reference to law enforcement wasn’t caught when the customer applied,” Wilkins said. “We’ll provide a replacement plate at no cost and work with the customer on suitable alternatives, such as ‘FORK 50.’”

Jay, however, isn’t interested in rebranding.

“If I can’t have that plate, I’ll just go with a regular plate,” he said.

ICBC has given him until the end of December to return the “FIVE-0” plates — before the reference is officially taken off the road.