The phrase was not meant to be crude, Auger argued. It was the kind of thing parents say every day before school drop-offs, errands, and family trips. In her view, the DMV had taken a simple joke and treated it like a public-decency problem.
The dispute also stood out because of New Hampshire’s well-known state motto: “Live Free or Die.” Auger, who worked as a paralegal and did not describe herself as a political activist, saw the recall as an unnecessary government overreach.
She put it plainly at the time: “If I have to take it off the plate, then I’m not going to be able to live free.”
She Had 10 Days, So She Went Public
The letter gave Auger a short deadline to turn in the plates. Rather than quietly accept the decision, she shared the notice and photos of her vehicle on social media.
The response came quickly. Thousands of people backed her, calling the DMV’s decision excessive and pointing out that the plate was more cute than offensive. For many parents, the message was instantly recognizable.
As the story spread, it was picked up by national outlets, including CNN. What began as a local DMV dispute became a wider conversation about vanity plate rules, government discretion, and how far agencies should go when interpreting what counts as offensive.
Vanity plates are a small part of vehicle registration, but they often come with detailed state rules. Drivers usually pay extra fees for personalized plates, and motor vehicle departments can reject combinations they believe violate policy. Auger’s case drew attention because the plate had already been allowed for years before the state reversed course.
The Bigger Picture
The situation eventually reached New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who stepped in after hearing about the controversy. He contacted Auger directly and said the issue had been handled.
“Hey Wendy, it’s Chris Sununu,” he said in a message. “Just want to let you know we took care of that issue… sorry for that little bureaucratic holdup.”
The DMV’s demand was reversed, and Auger was allowed to keep the plate. On August 28, she posted her update on Facebook: “This Sassy Momma Has Her Plates!”
For Auger, the outcome meant more than keeping a joke on the back of her car. It became a reminder that ordinary people can push back when a rule feels poorly applied.
And for anyone planning a family road trip, the message on her plate still holds up: take the bathroom break before the car leaves the driveway.