An elderly woman in Florida has become the talk of her retirement community after vehicle licensing officials assigned her with a racy number plate.

Pompano Beach resident Nancy Dello Stritto says she “went ballistic” when she discovered her new license plate number was “SQZ A55”.

“I don’t think a senior who is almost 77 will be driving around with a plate that has that to say,” Dello Stritto told CBS News in Miami, adding: “How could that pass inspection?”

She said some neighbours have encouraged her to exchange the plate, while others – including family members and her sons – have told her to keep it.

Dello Stritto said she was expecting a replacement plate and, at first, did not notice anything amiss when she got it in the mail.

Despite her displeasure, she has decided to keep the plate “just to see what happens”.

“I’m resigned to it; maybe it was destined for it to be on my car,” Dello Stritto said.

“I can handle it if I get a few honks here and there. Actually, being over 70, I might like a few honks.”

According to CBS, Florida license plates have been manufactured at a state prison in North Florida for nearly 100 years, before being distributed through state agencies.

Broward County officials have said plates that are deemed offensive can be exchanged for free.