Personalized license plates give car owners a cool way to show off their personality. People who are ready to spend a little extra money can create their own license plates with special messages or unique mixes of letters and numbers. These vanity plates let folks be creative and express themselves in a fun way. But sometimes, state governments and motor vehicle departments might not approve certain words or phrases, which can lead to a vanity plate application being turned down.

Wendy Auger has recently encountered an unexpected situation regarding her vanity plate, which she had proudly showcased for fifteen years. The plate, featuring the humorous phrase “PB4WEGO,” had brought joy to many as she traveled the highways and backroads of her home state of New Hampshire. However, Auger, a bartender residing in the Gonic area of Rochester, was surprised to learn that the Department of Motor Vehicles deemed the wording on her plate to be offensive.

Auger firmly believes that the state is trying to infringe upon her freedom of speech, which is a fundamental right. Furthermore, she contends that the phrase “pe* before we go” is not an unsuitable expression for a vanity plate. She interprets it as a practical piece of advice that parents frequently offer to their children.

Auger did not obtain the plate impulsively. After years of diligent searching, she was excited about its long-anticipated availability. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she decided to showcase “PB4WEGO” on her New Hampshire license plate. This change was prompted by the state’s recent decision to raise the character limit for vanity license plates from six to seven.

The state indicated that the modifications were implemented several years prior as a result of a directive from the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and the current regulations are now highly detailed.

Should Auger be required to replace her fifteen-year-old license plate?