A mother of four was left stunned when New Hampshire’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ordered her to turn in the vanity license plates she had proudly displayed for 15 years. The plates, which were intended as a lighthearted reminder for her children to “pee before we go,” became the subject of a bizarre dispute, leaving many questioning the state’s decision.
Wendy Auger, a Rochester, New Hampshire resident, received a letter in 2019 from the DMV instructing her to surrender her personalized plates, which read “PB4WEGO.” This catchy message, a playful take on “pee before we go,” had been a source of amusement for Auger’s family and often garnered compliments from passersby.
However, the DMV claimed that the combination of letters on the plates referred to “sexual or excretory acts or functions,” leading them to demand the plates be returned. Auger, a paralegal, was shocked by the decision, explaining that the plates had never been intended to offend anyone and were simply a family-friendly reminder for her children.
“It would just stink if I don’t have it anymore,” Auger said in an interview, expressing her disbelief. “Who hasn’t heard a parent say ‘pee before we go’ before leaving the house?”
In the same breath, she also referenced the state’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” humorously adding, “If I have to take it off the plate, then I’m not going to be able to live free.” For Auger, the plates had become more than just a reminder—they were a part of her identity as a mother and a representation of her family’s quirks.
According to the letter she received from the DMV, she was given 10 days to hand over the plates and was offered the chance to select another custom plate at no additional charge. Despite this offer, Auger was unwilling to part with the plates that had been a staple of her car for more than a decade.
In response to the DMV’s demands, Auger shared the letter on Facebook, along with photos of the controversial plates. The post quickly went viral, with social media users expressing their support for Auger and criticizing the DMV’s decision. “Such a ridiculous situation… Not only is it funny and cute, it’s a really good reminder!” one commenter wrote. Another pointed out, “What’s going on?! You’ve had that plate FOREVER.”
Some users even offered humorous suggestions, with one commenting, “Would that be Pee or Pay…??? lol.” Others encouraged Auger to petition the decision, to which she responded with her own trademark humor: “Live free or die my arse,” she joked. She even quipped, “I think dmv sux will be my next one…but I may get pulled over quite often lol.”
The viral post eventually caught the attention of New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who saw the issue as an overreach by the DMV. After investigating, he personally intervened, overturning the ruling and allowing Auger to keep her plates. In a message to Auger, Governor Sununu wrote, “Hey Wendy, It’s Chris Sununu, How are you? Hey, just want to let you know we took care of that issue…sorry for that little bureaucratic hold up up there…and the push back…but obviously common sense prevailed.”
On August 28, 2019, Auger shared the good news with her followers on Facebook, proudly declaring, “This Sassy Momma Has Her Plates!!!” The post was met with cheers from supporters who celebrated her victory over what they deemed an unnecessary and absurd bureaucratic challenge.
The controversy sparked a larger conversation about the freedom of expression and the often puzzling decisions made by government agencies. While the DMV’s ruling may have seemed overzealous to many, Auger’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes, common sense—and a little bit of humor—can help set things right.
What about you—what’s the funniest vanity plate you’ve ever seen? Feel free to share your thoughts and this story with others so we can hear more humorous license plate tales!
Sophia Reynolds is a dedicated journalist and a key contributor to Storyoftheday24.com. With a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Sophia Reynolds delivers insightful, well-researched news across various categories. Known for breaking down complex topics into engaging and accessible content, Sophia Reynolds has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability. With years of experience in the media industry, Sophia Reynolds remains committed to providing readers with timely and trustworthy news, making them a respected voice in modern journalism.
