New Hampshire governor rules woman can keep ‘PB4WEGO’ vanity license plate despite state’s recall

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said on Wednesday that a driver in his state can keep her “PB4WEGO” vanity license plate, overruling the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

On Aug. 16, Wendy Auger received a letter from the state asking her to surrender her plate — which she’s reportedly had for 15 years with no issues — because it includes a phrase that relates to “sexual or excretory acts or functions” in violation of the state’s codes.

“PB4WEGO” is a shortened version of “pee before we go” — a phrase parents often tell their kids before getting in the car for a road trip.

{mosads}New Hampshire told Auger she had 10 days to give up her plate and was given the choice of picking another vanity plate for free or getting a random sequence assigned, according to CNN. Auger filed an appeal for the recall, arguing free speech, local outlet Seacoast Online reports.

“Who has a mom or dad or parental figure who hasn’t said that to kids before leaving the house?” Auger told Seacoast Online. “I’m not the type to sit here with a picket, but come on.”

A DMV spokesperson told the outlet in a statement that license plates must be rejected “when they do not conform to legal requirements,” and that they can “recall a plate should one be issued that should not have been.”

After a mutual friend told him about Auger’s situation, Sununu intervened.

“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 said in a statement, according to The Boston Globe. “I recently left a message on her phone to share the good news that her plate will not be recalled.’’

Auger wrote on Facebook Wednesday that Sununu that “common sense prevailed.”

Sununu’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

The decision comes after a controversy in 2014, when a New Hampshire driver requested a vanity plate reading “COPSLIE.” The DMV denied his request, but the state Supreme Court ruled that decision violated his right to free speech.