License Plate Drama in New York

It turns out, Gov. Cathy Hochul is a fan of quirky license plates. She intervened to save a unique pee-themed plate belonging to 69-year-old Seth Bykowski from Long Island after the DMV decided to cancel it.

Bykowski, a motorist, reached out to Hochul for a pardon on his PB4WEGO vanity plate. Just hours after a news story circulated about his situation, she personally called him to discuss the matter.

“It was such a relief,” Bykowski noted, adding a humorous take on being able to “pee safely” before heading to New York.

During their conversation, Hochul expressed that she found the license plate amusing and appreciated the message behind it. “Urine luck,” she told him, which was a cheerful nod to the situation. Bykowski had been advocating for the plate, pushing against the DMV’s earlier decision to cancel it.

“I think everyone should be reminded to pee before going out…I really support this initiative,” Hochul mentioned, highlighting the humorous but practical angle of the plate.

Bykowski’s grandfather had sported the plate for over five years, until the DMV sent a cancellation letter back in January, deeming the slogan inappropriate. According to that communication, an investigation concluded that it was unsuitable for public display, leading to an order for the tag’s destruction.

Initially, Bykowski complied by taking the plate off the road. But if his appeal fell flat, he jokingly considered hanging it in his bathroom as a keepsake instead.

After facing hurdles with the DMV, he decided to reach out directly to Gov. Hochul. He also pointed out that other states, like New Hampshire, allow similar plates, referencing a previous pardon by former Gov. Chris Sununu.

In the end, Hochul confirmed that New York wouldn’t require the PB4WEGO plate to go. “It’s heartening, really, to see the government standing up for our rights, and even laughing at ourselves along the way,” Bykowski said, clearly appreciative of the governor’s support.

He mentioned that during his travels through multiple states, nobody had ever taken offense to the plate. In fact, he shared a light-hearted encounter with police, who had stopped him just for a laugh about it.

The phrase itself stems from countless moments when he needed to remind his daughters—and later his grandchildren—to take a bathroom break before setting out.

“They learned a lot from their grandpa,” Hochul remarked during their chat.

In an unexpected twist, Bykowski left his car in Florida while visiting New York and is eager to showcase his license plate again when he returns to the Sunshine State next week. “I think it’s going to be great,” he mused. “People will probably honk and say, ‘Hey, he’s going to pee before we go!’”