Kathy Hochul Intervenes in New York and Restores Seth Bykofsky Cheeky PB4YOUGO License Plate After DMV Ban

What started as a bathroom joke turned into a full-blown free speech debate in New York this week.

Seth Bykofsky, a 69-year-old grandfather from West Hempstead, found himself locked in a bizarre standoff with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles after officials ordered him to surrender his custom license plate.

The plate read “PB4YOUGO” — shorthand for “pee before you go.”

Yes, that was it. A reminder most parents and grandparents have uttered countless times before a road trip.

State officials didn’t find it charming. They found it rule-breaking.

The Letter That Sparked It All

In late January, Bykofsky received a formal notice from the DMV telling him the plate violated state guidelines banning messages deemed “derogatory, contemptuous, degrading, disrespectful or inflammatory.”

The letter instructed him to immediately remove and destroy the plate and warned that continuing to drive with it would be unlawful.

Bykofsky, who had proudly mounted the plate on his Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, was stunned.

He took to Facebook, questioning who could possibly be offended by such harmless humor.

He described the DMV’s action as an attempt to “stifle free speech” and quash individuality.

For him, it wasn’t just about a joke. It was about principle.

Enter the Governor

The story might have ended there — another quirky plate quietly retired — but it didn’t.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul personally stepped in after reading about the case.

She called Bykofsky directly to apologize for what she described as an overreach.

According to Bykofsky, Hochul told him she found the plate hilarious and wholeheartedly supported the sentiment.

As a parent and grandparent herself, she joked that everyone should be reminded to “pee before you go.”

Just like that, the plate was reinstated.

A Victory Lap for Grandpa

Speaking afterward, Bykofsky sounded both amused and vindicated.

He called the decision “a triumph for free speech” and said it was a win for everyday people whose voices often get drowned out.

In classic fashion, he declared: “We can all now PB4WEGO without fear or favor.”

He even thanked Hochul publicly, praising her for “coming through for New Yorkers.”

At the time of the governor’s call, his car was reportedly in Florida while he remained in New York.

But he’s already looking forward to putting the plate back on the road — expecting honks, laughs, and plenty of recognition.

Not the First Bathroom Battle

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time “pee before you go” has stirred bureaucratic controversy.

In 2024, a New Hampshire woman named Wendy Auger was also ordered to surrender a similar vanity plate.

That dispute escalated all the way to then-Governor Chris Sununu, who ultimately intervened and allowed her to keep it.

Across the country, DMVs regularly reject or revoke vanity plates for profanity, sexual references, or political messages.

What counts as “offensive,” however, can vary widely — and often lands in a gray area between policy enforcement and free expression.

The Thin Line Between Humor and Policy

Custom license plates have long been a small but powerful way for drivers to showcase personality.

Whether it’s inside jokes, family initials, or clever wordplay, they’re a rolling form of self-expression.

But DMVs operate under strict guidelines, often erring on the side of caution to avoid complaints.

In this case, officials appear to have interpreted “PB4WEGO” as referencing bodily functions in a way that crossed their internal standards.

Hochul’s intervention suggests there’s room for common sense — and perhaps a little humor — in how those rules are applied.

Impact and Consequences

This quirky case carries broader implications:

• It reignites debate about free speech and government overreach, even in small matters.

• It highlights how subjective interpretations of “offensive” language can be.

• It may encourage DMVs to revisit how strictly they enforce vanity plate policies.

• It shows how public pressure and media attention can influence bureaucratic decisions.

For Bykofsky, it’s personal validation.

For the state, it’s a reminder that not every bodily reference is a scandal.

What’s Next?

Bykofsky is expected to receive confirmation restoring his registration and license plate rights.

Once back on his Hyundai, “PB4YOUGO” may become one of the most recognized plates on New York roads.

Whether the DMV revises its screening policies remains unclear, but this incident could prompt internal reviews — or at least a few chuckles in Albany offices.

Meanwhile, drivers across the state might think twice before applying for cheeky vanity plates… or feel emboldened to try.

Summary

A 69-year-old New York grandfather nearly lost his humorous “PB4YOUGO” vanity plate after the state DMV deemed it inappropriate.

After public outcry and a direct appeal, Governor Kathy Hochul intervened, apologized, and restored the plate.

The episode has sparked conversation about free speech, government discretion, and the limits of humor in official spaces.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Seth Bykofsky’s “PB4YOUGO” license plate was ordered revoked by the New York DMV.

• The DMV cited rules banning derogatory or disrespectful content.

• Governor Kathy Hochul personally called Bykofsky to apologize and reverse the decision.

• Bykofsky framed the dispute as a free speech issue.

• A similar case occurred in New Hampshire in 2024 and was also overturned by the governor.

• The plate references the common parental reminder to “pee before you go.”

• The case has sparked debate about how DMVs interpret offensive content.

• Bykofsky plans to proudly display the plate again once paperwork is finalized.

• The story underscores the tension between bureaucratic rules and everyday humor.

• Public attention played a key role in resolving the dispute.