For more than fifteen years, a personalized license plate in Rochester, New Hampshire, served as a small reminder of one of the most familiar routines in family life. The plate read “PB4WEGO,” a playful abbreviation for “Pee before we go.” Its owner, Wendy Auger, chose the message as a humorous reminder for her four children before family outings and long car journeys.
What began as a simple family joke eventually became a recognizable part of her daily life. Other drivers sometimes noticed the unusual combination of letters and numbers, often understanding the message and reacting with a smile.
But after many years on the road, the plate unexpectedly became the subject of a dispute with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
A Family Joke That Became a Personal Tradition
Auger’s message reflected an experience familiar to many parents. Before leaving home, especially when traveling with children, there is often one final reminder: use the bathroom before getting into the car.
The phrase was intended to be lighthearted rather than offensive. For Auger, the plate represented an ordinary part of parenting, turning a familiar household expression into a personalized message.
The plate remained on her vehicle for more than a decade without any reported problems. It had become part of her everyday routine, and she had little reason to expect that its wording would eventually attract official attention.
The DMV Reviews the Plate
According to the account of the incident, Auger received a letter from the New Hampshire DMV informing her that the personalized plate had been reviewed and was no longer considered acceptable.
The agency reportedly objected to the wording because it could be interpreted as referring to bodily functions. Under the department’s standards for personalized plates, certain combinations of letters and numbers may be rejected if they are considered potentially offensive or inappropriate.
Auger was asked to surrender the plates and choose a different approved combination within the specified period.
The notice came as a surprise. The same phrase had been displayed on her vehicle for approximately fifteen years, and she had always understood it as a harmless reference to a common parenting habit.
Auger Questions the Decision
Auger, who works as a paralegal, expressed confusion and disappointment about the decision. She explained that the plate was never intended to insult anyone or communicate an inappropriate message.
Instead, it was a simple joke that many parents could recognize immediately.
The situation also prompted discussion about New Hampshire’s state motto, “Live Free or Die.” Auger reportedly questioned how a phrase associated with personal freedom could coexist with a decision to remove a plate that she considered harmless.
Her experience raised a broader question: how should authorities interpret personalized messages when the intended meaning is different from a potentially questionable interpretation?
Sharing the Story Brings Public Attention
Rather than quietly replacing the plate, Auger decided to make the situation public. She shared information about the DMV notice and a photograph of her vehicle on social media.
The post attracted attention from people who found the decision surprising. Many commenters understood the plate as a reference to a familiar family routine and questioned why it had become an issue after so many years.
As the story spread, it reached audiences beyond Rochester and attracted coverage from larger media outlets.
The discussion was no longer only about one personalized license plate. It also became a conversation about how government agencies review language, how rules are applied, and whether context should play a role in administrative decisions.
Governor Chris Sununu Becomes Involved
The growing attention eventually brought the matter to the attention of New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.
According to the account, Sununu contacted Auger directly and informed her that the issue had been resolved. The DMV’s original decision was reconsidered, allowing her to keep the “PB4WEGO” plate.
Auger later shared the outcome publicly, expressing relief that she would not have to give up the personalized message she had used for so many years.
The resolution brought an end to the dispute and gave the story a positive conclusion for the plate’s owner.
A Small Dispute With a Wider Message
Although the issue involved only one vehicle registration, it attracted attention because it illustrated how differently the same words can be understood.
For Auger, “PB4WEGO” was a practical family reminder and a source of humor. The DMV reportedly viewed the wording through the lens of its standards for potentially inappropriate messages.
Situations involving personalized plates can sometimes create disagreements because short combinations of letters and numbers may have more than one possible interpretation. Agencies must apply their rules, while vehicle owners may feel that the meaning and context of their messages deserve consideration.
The incident also demonstrated how public attention can bring greater visibility to an individual administrative decision.
The Plate’s Story Continues
After the decision was reversed, Auger was permitted to retain the plate that had accompanied her for more than fifteen years.
What started as a small parenting joke became an unexpected public discussion about language, personal expression, and the interpretation of official rules.
For Auger, the most important outcome was simple: she could continue using a plate that held a personal meaning for her family.
And for anyone who has ever traveled with children, the message behind “PB4WEGO” remains easy to understand.