For 15 years, Wendy Auger proudly drove around Rochester, New Hampshire, with a cheeky message on her car’s vanity license plate. The plate read “PB4WEGO,” a lighthearted reminder to her four sons to use the bathroom before heading out on any trip. For Wendy, it was more than just a clever phrase—it was a piece of her family’s routine and a symbol of their sense of humor. But in 2019, that light-hearted tradition was threatened when the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) informed her that she needed to surrender the plate she had kept for over a decade.

The DMV claimed the combination of letters “PB4WEGO” referenced “sexual or excretory acts or functions,” deeming it inappropriate according to their guidelines. To Wendy, the idea was not only laughable but entirely missing the point. “It would just stink if I don’t have it anymore,” she told reporters, visibly upset about the decision. “Live free or die,” she added, invoking the state’s famous motto. “If I have to take it off the plate, then I’m not going to be able to live free.”

Wendy, who works as a paralegal and is a devoted mom of four, was stunned. “Who hasn’t told their kids to ‘pee before we go’?” she asked. “I’m not someone who’s out here protesting things, but this just doesn’t make sense.” She made it clear that her intent was never vulgar, political, or controversial. It was simply a playful nudge—a phrase nearly every parent in America has said at some point. “This is a non-offensive thing that I’ve had and it’s part of who we are as a family and who I am,” she told CNN. “There was zero reason for them to take it away.”

According to the official letter from the DMV, she had 10 days to return the plate. They offered her the option of choosing a different custom plate at no additional cost, but to Wendy, it wasn’t about the money—it was about the principle. In frustration, she took to Facebook, sharing a photo of her plate along with the DMV’s recall notice. The post immediately gained traction, quickly going viral as thousands of users shared, liked, and commented on it.

The internet rallied behind Wendy. “Such a ridiculous situation… Not only is it funny and cute, it’s a really good reminder!” wrote one user. Another commented, “What’s going on?! You’ve had that plate FOREVER.” People from all over chimed in with support and even some humorous suggestions for replacement plates. “Would that be Pee or Pay…??? lol,” one person joked. Encouraged by the outpouring of support, Wendy didn’t back down. “Live free or die my arse,” she responded in a post, adding later with a laugh, “I think ‘DMV SUX’ will be my next one…but I may get pulled over quite often lol.”

As the post gained more attention, it caught the eye of New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. Upon reviewing the case and likely seeing the overwhelming public support and common-sense nature of the issue, Governor Sununu stepped in. Wendy later shared a voicemail message from him: “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.”

Wendy’s fight resonated with so many because it touched on something larger than a license plate. It was about how small, harmless traditions can be stripped away by bureaucracy that loses sight of intent. Her story highlighted how ordinary people can push back against overreach—and sometimes win.

On August 28, 2019, Wendy returned to Facebook, triumphant. “This Sassy Momma Has Her Plates!!!” she wrote, celebrating the decision that allowed her to keep her cherished vanity plate. Her victory wasn’t just personal—it was symbolic. It represented the victory of humor over rigidity, and family tradition over tone-deaf enforcement.

The incident sparked conversations nationwide about the limits of government control, the subjectivity of interpreting messages, and the power of community support. Thousands who had never met Wendy felt connected to her through this story, united by the simple joy of a funny license plate and the shared frustration of overregulation.

In the end, Wendy’s determination and the backing of her fellow citizens served as a reminder that standing up for the little things can lead to meaningful outcomes. Her plate didn’t contain profanity, hate speech, or anything offensive—it was just a loving mom’s way of reminding her kids to take a bathroom break before a road trip.

It’s a funny and heartwarming story, one that many can relate to. And perhaps, it makes us all look a little closer at the license plates we see on the road, wondering about the stories behind them.

So, what’s the funniest or most clever license plate you’ve ever seen? Share your favorite plate stories with us—and don’t forget to pass this one along. It might just make someone smile today.