For most people, a license plate is nothing more than a random mix of letters and numbers. But for those who opt for custom vanity plates, it becomes something else entirely—a chance to show humor, creativity, or personality on the open road. Some plates make people laugh, others spark controversy, and a few end up in battles with state officials. Wendy Auger of Rochester, New Hampshire, knows that struggle firsthand.

For 15 years, Auger proudly drove with the plate “PB4WEGO.” A playful twist on the universal parental advice—“Pee before we go”—the phrase resonated with her both as a mother and a bartender with a sense of humor. To her, it wasn’t edgy or offensive, just a clever reminder of a truth every parent knows all too well: kids always seem to need the bathroom at the worst possible time.

But earlier this year, Auger received a notice from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. To her disbelief, the DMV had decided her plate was “inappropriate” and revoked it.

“It’s just ridiculous,” Auger told reporters. “It’s not a dirty word, it’s not offensive—it’s something every parent says to their kids. I’ve had this plate for 15 years and nobody ever complained. Suddenly it’s a problem?”

The move stems from strict rules New Hampshire enforces on vanity plates. Years ago, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that license plates are state-issued property, not personal free-speech platforms. This means the DMV has the authority to deny or revoke plates with content it deems offensive, indecent, or otherwise inappropriate—covering profanity, sexual references, and even language seen as promoting violence or discrimination.

But in Auger’s eyes, her plate checks none of those boxes. “There’s nothing obscene about reminding someone to use the bathroom before a trip,” she argued. “It’s funny, it’s relatable—but it’s not vulgar.”

What makes the ruling sting even more is the timing. Auger first applied for the plate when New Hampshire expanded the character limit for vanity plates, and she was thrilled to snag such a witty option. Over the years, “PB4WEGO” became a small but meaningful part of her identity. Friends laughed at it, strangers smiled at stoplights, and Wendy herself took pride in the lighthearted wordplay.

Now, with the DMV demanding its surrender, she finds herself caught in a bigger debate—where to draw the line between government oversight and harmless personal expression.

Her case quickly spread across social media, drawing strong reactions. Many rallied to her side. “If that plate is inappropriate, then half of what people say every day should be banned too,” one commenter wrote. Another said, “This is the kind of harmless humor we need more of—not less.”

Others countered that the state is within its rights. “A license plate isn’t a bumper sticker,” one critic noted. “It’s government property, and the DMV can set the rules.”

Still, Auger’s situation highlights the often arbitrary nature of these decisions. Across the country, vanity plates have been rejected for everything from cheeky puns to lighthearted jokes. What one official sees as fine, another may flag as offensive—leaving drivers feeling frustrated and confused.

For Auger, the fight is about more than just six characters on a metal plate. “I shouldn’t have to give it up just because someone behind a desk suddenly decided it’s a problem,” she said. “Where does it end? Do they take away plates with dog names next? Or ones that sound like inside jokes? At some point, we need common sense.”

Her future with “PB4WEGO” remains uncertain. She can comply and replace it, or appeal and hope the state reconsiders. She admits everyday responsibilities—bills, daycare costs, life—come first, but she hasn’t ruled out continuing the fight.

Either way, her story has already struck a chord far beyond New Hampshire. For some, it’s a small but telling reminder of how bureaucracy can clash with ordinary humor. For others, it’s simply a lighthearted story in a heavy news cycle—proof that even a joke about bathroom breaks can spark a wider debate about freedom, expression, and common sense.

As Auger herself put it: “If we can’t laugh about telling kids to pee before a trip, then we’ve really lost our sense of humor.”