For more than fifteen years, Wendy Auger of Rochester, New Hampshire, drove around with a sense of humor and a practical parenting tip on her car’s bumper. Her vanity license plate, “PB4WEGO,” was a playful nod to a phrase every parent knows: “Pee before we go.” It became a family trademark, a conversation starter, and a harmless joke that earned her countless smiles from fellow drivers since the mid-2000s.
That humor came to a sudden stop when a formal letter arrived from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The department demanded that Wendy surrender her plates immediately. Why? State officials had decided the combination was “offensive,” claiming it referred to “sexual or excretory acts or functions.” After fifteen years of incident-free driving, Wendy’s innocent parental advice was suddenly labeled a violation of public decency.
The irony was obvious to everyone, especially given New Hampshire’s state motto: “Live Free or Die.” Wendy, a paralegal who described herself as far from politically active, immediately felt the sting. “If I have to take it off the plate, then I’m not going to be able to live free,” she said. She argued that the phrase was a universal part of childhood—a gentle reminder used by parents everywhere to avoid unnecessary pit stops. To Wendy, the DMV’s crackdown was an overreach of power over a completely harmless family joke.
With only ten days to comply, Wendy refused to back down. She shared the recall letter and photos of her car on social media. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Her post went viral, drawing thousands of supporters who found the DMV’s decision absurd. People called the situation “ridiculous” and “cute,” noting that the plate was a helpful tip for anyone with a small bladder.
As the story gained national attention, appearing on major news outlets like CNN, it eventually reached the state’s highest office. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu became aware of the controversy and decided that common sense needed to override bureaucratic red tape. In a personal gesture that bypassed the DMV, the Governor contacted Wendy directly.
“Hey Wendy, it’s Chris Sununu,” he said in a message. “Just want to let you know we took care of that issue… sorry for that little bureaucratic holdup.” He acknowledged the lack of common sense in the situation and officially overturned the DMV’s demand.
On August 28, Wendy shared the good news on Facebook: “This Sassy Momma Has Her Plates!” The reversal wasn’t just a win for a funny license plate—it was a victory for common sense in an era of increasingly strict regulations. Wendy’s story is a reminder that standing your ground—even over something as small as a seven-letter plate—can lead to a win for anyone who values freedom and humor. Wendy and her “PB4WEGO” plates are back on the road, proving that no bureaucratic holdup can stop a determined mom on a mission.