For most people, a license plate is nothing more than a random mix of letters and numbers. But for those who opt for custom vanity plates, it becomes something else entirely—a chance to show humor, creativity, or personality on the open road. Some plates make people laugh, others spark controversy, and a few end up in battles with state officials. Wendy Auger of Rochester, New Hampshire, knows that struggle firsthand.

For 15 years, Auger proudly drove with the plate “PB4WEGO.” A playful twist on the universal parental advice—“Pee before we go”—the phrase resonated with her both as a mother and a bartender with a sense of humor. To her, it wasn’t edgy or offensive, just a clever reminder of a truth every parent knows all too well: kids always seem to need the bathroom at the worst possible time.

But earlier this year, Auger received a notice from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. To her disbelief, the DMV had decided her plate was “inappropriate” and revoked it.

“It’s just ridiculous,” Auger told reporters. “It’s not a dirty word, it’s not offensive—it’s something every parent says to their kids. I’ve had this plate for 15 years and nobody ever complained. Suddenly it’s a problem?”

The move stems from strict rules New Hampshire enforces on vanity plates. Years ago, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that license plates are state-issued property, not personal free-speech platforms. This means the DMV has the authority to deny or revoke plates with content it deems offensive, indecent, or otherwise inappropriate—covering profanity, sexual references, and even language seen as promoting violence or discrimination.