Bermudians take great pride in their cars and, after a bill was passed in the House of Assembly yesterday, they can now have personalised licence plates for a nominal fee.

The Royal Gazette took to the streets to see what the general public thought about the idea and asked people: "Are you in favour of personalised licence plates?'' The majority of people approached during the informal poll said it was not a big deal and owners should be able to do whatever they wanted to their cars.

Former Miss Bermuda Vicky King said: "Sure, why not?'' And she said her licence plate would say `Ex Miss Bda'.

Junior mechanic Michael Carvalho said: "It's no big thing, I agree that we should be able to have them.'' He said he did not know what he would want on his own car.

Others polled said being able to have personalised licence plates would allow people a venue to express themselves.

Latoya Robinson, a technical assistant, said: "Yes, I do because it gives everyone the opportunity to express themselves in some way.'' One woman, who did not wish to be named, said cars in Bermuda were already covered with decals and writing so there was no reason why people should not also be able to have stuff on their licence plates.

But the idea of personalised licence plates frightened some who felt that people are already out of hand with their cars.

While Webster Tucker said he did not mind the idea of personalised plates, he said he hoped people would not abuse the opportunity.

"I agree, as long as its done in good taste, because a lot of times people get crazy numbers and names put on their cars and it doesn't make any sense.'' And Benjamin Williams disagreed with the idea wholeheartedly: "No, because people don't know where to draw the line.

"It's like dress -- people don't know where to draw the line,'' he continued.

He added: "It's like the thong song -- that should be between that guy and his wife, nobody else needs to know that.'' And truck driver Anthony Lima agreed that personalised licence plates would only cause added confusion.

"No, it's going to be a lot of confusion. I saw a car last week with a different number on the back from the front,'' he said.

"What will happen when Police are trying to identify vehicles,'' he added.

Those who disagree with the idea will be relieved to hear that strict regulations will be enforced to prevent people from going overboard with their plates.

And Donna Douglas said: "I think we should be able to have whatever we want on our cars, within reason, because we pay a lot of money for our cars in Bermuda.

"I would have `trouble' on my car.'' See related story, Page 4