A mother of four from Rochester, New Hampshire, was stunned when the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ordered her to give up the personalized license plates she had proudly used for 15 years.
The plate, “PB4WEGO,” was her humorous way of reminding her sons to use the bathroom before leaving the house—a common parental phrase turned into a playful message. Despite the harmless intent, the DMV claimed the plate referenced “sexual or excretory acts or functions” and demanded she return it.
In 2019, Wendy Auger received an official letter stating she had 10 days to surrender the plate, though she could request a different custom plate at no cost. “It would really stink if I couldn’t keep it,” said Auger, who mentioned how often people complimented the funny plate. She added, referencing the state’s motto, “Live free or die”: “If I have to give up my plate, how is that living free?”
Frustrated by the decision, Auger pointed out that parents everywhere have said similar things to their kids and insisted the message was neither vulgar nor inappropriate. “I’m not out protesting,” she told CNN. “This plate is a reflection of our family, and it’s totally harmless.”
She posted the DMV’s letter along with photos of the plate on Facebook, and her story quickly gained attention online. Supportive comments poured in, calling the situation ridiculous and praising the message as both funny and practical.
New Hampshire governor steps in to help woman keep ‘PB4WEGO’ vanity plate https://t.co/Sf9kp5ff8l pic.twitter.com/cvCdstikxK
— Tulsa World (@tulsaworld) August 29, 2019
Some even joked about replacement options, like “Pee or Pay?” Auger responded with humor, joking that her next plate might read “DMV SUX,” though she feared it might lead to frequent traffic stops.
The viral post eventually caught the eye of New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. He stepped in, overturning the DMV’s decision and personally leaving a message for Auger: “We took care of that. Sorry about the red tape—common sense won in the end.”
On August 28, 2019, a triumphant Auger shared the news on Facebook, writing: “This Sassy Momma Has Her Plates!!!”