Stricter regulations allow the Department of Motor Vehicles in New Hampshire to deny a request for or recall a vanity license plate that makes references to excretory acts. One mom’s planned fight against the DMV has just been settled through political intervention, thanks to the Internet.
Wendy Auger’s story attained viral status a couple of days ago, when she went to the media to lament the DMV’s decision to recall her 15-year-old license plate that reads “PB4WEGO.” It was recalled on the grounds mentioned above, that it referenced an excretory act, but Auger’s defense was that it wasn’t offensive in the least.
The plate stands for “pee before we go” and is a commonly used parental phrase. Auger told the media that it was well within her right to keep it because not only wasn’t it offensive, but it was extremely relatable. And funny, to boot. The DMV disagreed.
Now, thanks to New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu, Auger gets to keep the vanity plate. He broke the news on Twitter, saying he felt he needed to intervene because it was a common-sense issue.
“Upon this being brought to my attention, I reached out to the Division of Motor Vehicles and strongly urged them to allow Wendy to keep the license plate she has had for the last 15 years,” Sununu says in an email to SeacoastOnline, confirming the announcement made on Twitter as well. “Earlier this afternoon I left a message on her phone to share the good news that her plate will not be recalled.”
Auger declares herself “stoked” at the good news. She had been receiving a lot of support and positive feedback when her story went viral, but none of it could effectively help her in fighting the DMV decision.
Auger had the plate on the family’s minivan for years before she bought a new Toyota. Initially, she wanted to ditch it but she was told by DMV staff that she could move it to her new car. In fact, she was urged to do so because it was a very smart and funny plate. Last year, the DMV introduced more specific criteria on which a plate could be denied or recalled, and Auger’s came to their attention once more – this time, for the wrong reasons.
After this matter was brought to my attention I strongly encouraged the NH DMV to allow Wendy to keep the license plate she has had for the last 15 years. Common sense prevails! https://t.co/4dJP9qTxKU
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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