For years, custom license plates have served as a quirky but personal canvas for drivers to express their individuality, creativity, and humor.
But beneath the surface of this cheerful trend is a web of regulations that can turn an innocent phrase into a source of controversy. In some cases, what one person considers a harmless or entertaining message may be considered inappropriate or offensive by government authorities.
That blurred line between self-expression and public standards recently came into sharp focus in New Hampshire, leaving one resident confused and frustrated by a decision that reignited debates over free speech and government overreach.
Wendy Auger, a bartender and proud owner of a vanity plate with the phrase “PB4WEGO,” was stunned when the state declared her plate unacceptable after 15 years of trouble-free use. What began as a humorous nod to parental wisdom quickly became the focus of a heated debate about the balance between personal rights and public policy.
Custom license plates give vehicle owners a special chance to express their individuality. These people have the option of placing unique slogans or combinations of letters and numbers on their license plates for an additional fee.
Toilet plates give people the opportunity to express themselves in a creative and unique way. Still, there are times when state governments and their motor vehicle agencies disagree with controversial language, leading to a refusal to apply cosmetic decals.
Wendy Auger recently learned that the expression on her beauty tag caused her to be suddenly rejected, even though she had been proudly displaying it for fifteen years. Many people were amused by her funny vanity plate that read “PB4WEGO” as she drove around the highways and unpaved areas of her home in New Hampshire.
The DMV’s view of the circumstance as a misdemeanor surprised Auger, a bartender in Rochester, New Hampshire’s Gonic neighborhood.
Auger is adamant that her fundamental right to free speech is being curtailed by the state. Plus, she thinks it’s okay to have the phrase “pe* before we go” on her vanity plate. According to her, this is common advice that parents give their children.
Auger just didn’t pick up the plate.
She eagerly awaited its long-awaited availability after years of tireless searching. She jumped at the chance and excitedly decided to put “PB4WEGO” on her New Hampshire license plate. The reason for this adjustment was the state’s decision to increase the number of characters on its license plate vanities from six to seven.
According to the state, the rules are now extremely explicit and were changed years ago as a result of a New Hampshire Supreme Court injunction.
Despite her strong belief that her license plate carries a harmless, humorous message, Wendy Auger’s fight to keep her long-held “PB4WEGO” mark highlights the tension between individual expression and state regulations. While cosmetic plates are a creative outlet for personal expression, they remain subject to interpretation and government scrutiny. To Auger, the phrase symbolized light-hearted everyday advice rather than something offensive.
This situation raises important questions about where to draw the line between freedom of speech and adherence to public standards. While Wendy still challenges the DMV’s decision, her story serves as a reminder of how even small, personal touches can spark larger debates about individuality, humor, and regulatory boundaries. Whether she succeeds in restoring her plate or not, her case has already made a significant case for the value of self-expression in our everyday lives.