New Hampshire woman allowed to keep 'PB4WEGO' vanity license plate

ROCHESTER, N.H. — A New Hampshire woman who was fighting the state Department of Motor Vehicles over her 15-year-old vanity license plate showing a common parental phrase got the green light to keep her plates.

Wendy Auger, of Rochester, was asked to surrender the plate, which reads "PB4WEGO," a common phrase used by parents before hitting the road with their kids. The state says phrases related to excretory acts aren't permitted.

On Wednesday, however, after Auger's story had gone viral, N.H. Governor Chris Sununu reached out to her, telling her she's been authorized to keep "PB4WEGO".

In a Facebook post, Auger said Sununu reached out to her saying:

"Hey Wendy, it's Chris Sununu, how are you? Hey, just wanted to let you know we took care of that issue...sorry for that little bureaucratic hold up there...and the push back...but obviously common sense prevailed. And I spoke to the commissioner and we agreed completely that we are going to just move forward and we are gonna get your plates...Any questions call us."

In a statement to Boston 25 News, Gov. Sununu said:

"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. I recently left a message on her phone to share the good news that her plate will not be recalled."

Auger's son James was the inspiration behind the license plate nearly 15 years ago.

"This boy needed to visit every restroom within 2 miles to the coast to 200 miles from here," said Auger.

"They honk their horn, I’ve caught numerous people taking pictures when I’ve come out of grocery stores or bank teller lines, people are taking pictures laughing, giving a thumbs up, so nobody’s being offended by it," said Auger.

She's one of 92 New Hampshire drivers who received vanity plate recall letters this year. State records show there are 152,028 vanity plates on the road in New Hampshire.

"It’s not vulgar, it’s cute and it’s funny," said Auger.

A DMV spokesperson said plates must be rejected "when they do not conform to legal requirements." The spokesperson said the state cannot comment on the specifics of Auger's case.

Associated Press