A New Hampshire mother was left surprised after state officials ordered her to give up a vanity license plate she had displayed for more than 15 years without complaint.
Wendy Auger, a mother of four from Rochester, had long driven with the personalized plate “PB4WEGO,” a lighthearted abbreviation of the familiar road-trip reminder, “pee before we go.” The plate often amused fellow parents and reflected a common piece of advice for families traveling with young children.
However, after more than a decade of use, Auger received a notice from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles informing her that the plate would no longer be permitted.
According to the DMV, the vanity plate violated state guidelines because it referenced “sexual or excretory acts or functions.” The decision came as a surprise to Auger, who noted that the plate had originally been approved and had remained in use since the mid-2000s without any reported issues.
The case has sparked discussion about how states interpret vanity plate regulations and where officials should draw the line between offensive content and harmless humor. Supporters argue that the phrase is a common and practical expression familiar to many families, while critics say licensing authorities have broad discretion when reviewing personalized plate requests.
The dispute highlights the ongoing debate over free expression, administrative oversight, and the standards used to determine what is considered appropriate for display on public roadways.
