21.090 Disabled Veteran Definition (VC 295.7)

A “disabled veteran” is any person who, as a result of injury or disease suffered while on active service with the armed forces of the United States, suffers any of the following:

• Has a service-connected disability rated at 100 percent by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, due to a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility.
• Is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistive device.
• Has lost, or lost the use of, one or more limbs.
• Has permanent blindness, as defined in the California Welfare and Institutions Code §19153.

21.085 Disabled Person (DP) Parking Placards (VC §§ 295.5, 5007(c)(1), 2511.55(b)(1)(2), 22511.59 (b)(c)(d) & 22511.6)

Types of Disabled Person (DP) Parking Placards:

Temporary (VC §22511.59(b))—Issued to persons with temporary disabilities. The DP placard is valid for up to 180 days (six months) or until the date noted by the qualified medical person certifying the disability on the application, whichever is less.

Permanent (VC §22511.55)—Issued to persons with permanent disabilities. The DP placard is valid for two years and expires on June 30 of an odd numbered year. A renewal year placard is issued on original applications submitted on or after January 1 of the expiration year. A DP is not eligible for more than one permanent placard at any time. Only 4 substitute permanent DP placards can be issued during a 2-year renewal period.

Disabled DP Plates—Issued to persons with permanent disabilities. Can only be assigned to vehicles registered in the name of the qualified person.

DP Plates Reassignments—Issued to persons with existing DP plates to be reassigned to a different vehicle.

Travel DP Parking Placard-California Residents (VC §22511.59(d))—Issued to persons who currently have a California permanent DP parking placard, DP License Plates, or DV License Plates. The DP placard is valid for 30 days from the DMV issue date.

Travel DP Parking Placard-Nonresidents (VC §22511.59(c))— Issued to persons who are disabled and plan to travel in California. The DP placard is valid for up to 90 days, or until the date noted by the qualified medical person certifying the disability on the application, whichever is less.

Automatic Renewal of Permanent Placards— DP placard renewal notices are mailed out to permanent placard holders six years after initial placard issuance and every six years (third renewal cycle) thereafter. A signed attestation must be received by DMV before the permanent placard can be renewed. Customers who do not have a DP placard renewal notice can use the Application for Permanent Disabled Person (DP) Placard Renewal (REG 195 A) form to complete the attestation. A renewal DP placard and identification (ID) card are automatically issued to placard owners prior to June 30, of the expiration year unless the Bureau of Vital Statistics records show the owner as deceased. DMV compares its DP placard records with the Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Statistics to ensure renewal placards are not mailed to deceased placard owners.

Government Agency or Private Organization— Any city, county, or state government agency or private organization providing transportation to disabled persons may obtain a no-fee DP placard for each vehicle maintained for that purpose. The applicant’s birthdate and a qualified medical person’s certification are not required on the application.

Medical Certification Not Required— A medical certification is not required for applicants who have been issued California DV or DP License Plates. In this case, write the applicant’s DV or DP License Plate number on the REG 195.

Minor Children—The REG 195 may be signed by the parent or guardian of a disabled minor child.

Parking Privileges—A DP placard:

• May be used in any vehicle transporting the placard owner.
• Provides the same parking privileges as DP License Plates.

Original License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

• Proof of true full name and date of birth, which consist of:
  — A copy of state-issued driver license or identification card (DL/ID) card, if applicable.
  — A copy of birth date/legal presence/identity (BD/LP/Identity) document to establish true full name or birth.

Note Proof of residency is not an acceptable document to establish true full name or birth. Proof of legal presence is not required for a DP License or placard application.

• A completed and signed Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195) form and one of the documents listed above.
  — The applicant’s true full name as it appears on the DL/ID card or other acceptable proof must be the same as the name shown on the REG 195. If the applicant’s name on the proof of true full name document does not match the name on the REG 195 as a result of a name change , the applicant must submit copies of a name change document which contain the applicant’s legal name both before and after the name change.
• The current registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form for issuance of DP License Plates to an organization or agency that certifies the vehicle is used solely for the purpose of transporting disabled persons.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Review and complete the DMV USE ONLY box at the bottom of the REG 195.
• Retain a copy of the acceptable BD/LP Identity and, if applicable, true full name.
• Return original proof documents to the applicant.

21.080 Disabled Person License Plates (VC §5007)

Disabled Person (DP) License Plates may be issued for any/all passenger and commercial vehicles or motorcycles currently registered to:

• A qualified permanently disabled person.
• An organization or agency involved in the transportation of disabled persons if the vehicle is used solely for the purpose of transporting those persons.

Certification Card—A disabled person must present a Disabled Person or Disabled Veteran License Plate Certification Form (REG 3060), upon request, to law enforcement or parking enforcement personnel, which verifies the person’s eligibility for DP License Plates. The license plate owner must be the driver or a passenger for the vehicle to be eligible for disabled person parking privileges.

Commercial Vehicles—One commercial vehicle with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less is exempt from the weight fee. Any additional commercial vehicles assigned DP License Plates are subject to all registration fees.

Disabled Person License Plates for Trustees—May be issued to a vehicle registered to a trust when the applicant’s full name (first and last names) is shown as part of a trust name or as a trustee.

When a customer submits an application for DP License Plates for a vehicle registered to a trust, continue to follow procedures in the Special License Plates section of this chapter, and issue the DP License Plates if the trust name:

• Contains the full name of the applicant (Example: Mary Smith Trust),
  
  or:
  
• Reflects the applicant’s full name as a trustee (Example: Mary Smith Trustee).

DP License Plate Exclusions—DP License Plates are not issued to:

• A vehicle owned by someone other than a qualified disabled person.
• A vehicle owned by an organization or agency that is not used solely to provide transportation services to the disabled.
• A temporarily disabled person.
• Invalid tricycles or wheelchairs.
• Vehicles with Disabled Veteran (DV), Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH), or Prisoner of War (POW) License Plates.
• A vehicle used by a disabled person in a street vending business operation.
• Trailers.

DP Parking Privileges—Vehicles with DP License Plates and/or a DP placard are entitled to certain parking privileges which are not granted to other vehicles (CVC §22511.5).

Disabled Persons with Special Interest License Plates—A qualified permanently disabled person who chooses to have special interest license plates on their vehicle, rather than DP License Plates, must have a DP placard displayed in the vehicle to receive DP parking privileges.

Government Agency or Private Organization—Any government agency or private organization providing transportation to disabled persons may obtain DP License Plates if the vehicle is used solely for the purpose of transporting those persons.

Medical Certification Not Required—A medical certification is not required for applicants who have been issued California DV License Plates or a California permanent DP placard. In this case, write the applicant’s DV License Plate or DP placard number on the Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195) form.

Original License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

• Proof of true full name and date of birth, which consist of:
  — A copy of state-issued driver license or identification card (DL/ID) card, if applicable.
  — A copy of birth date/legal presence/identity (BD/LP/Identity) document to establish true full name or birth.
  
  

Note Proof of residency is not an acceptable document to establish true full name or birth. Proof of legal presence is not required for a DP License or placard application.

• A completed and signed Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195) form and one of the documents listed above.
  — The applicant’s true full name as it appears on the DL/ID card or other acceptable proof must be the same as the name shown on the REG 195. If the applicant’s name on the proof of true full name document does not match the name on the REG 195 as a result of a name change , the applicant must submit copies of a name change document which contain the applicant’s legal name both before and after the name change.
• The current registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form for issuance of DP License Plates to an organization or agency that certifies the vehicle is used solely for the purpose of transporting disabled persons.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Review and complete the DMV USE ONLY box at the bottom of the REG 195.
• Retain a copy of the acceptable BD/LP Identity and, if applicable, true full name.
• Return original proof documents to the applicant.

Processing DP License Plates and DP Placard Applications Together—Permanently disabled persons may use one REG 195 to apply for DP License Plates and a permanent DP placard at the same time.

Renewal/Reassignment—No additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment of a DP License Plate.

Retention—No additional fee is required for retention of a DP License Plate.

Surrender of License Plates Required—DP License Plates must be returned to DMV within 60 days of the license plate owner’s death or upon expiration of the registration, whichever occurs first.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plate remains with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.

21.075 Disabled Person Certification (VC §§5007, 22511.55, 22511.59)

Certification—A properly completed Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195) form is required for Disabled Person License Plates and/or a Disabled Person placard. The certification of the applicant’s disability must be completed as follows:

If the Applicant Suffers From	The Certification Required Is
If the Applicant Suffers FromA lung disease	The Certification Required IsSections 6 and 6A of the REG 195 must be completed by a: • Physician (items 2–8 only). • Surgeon (items 2–8 only). • Physician’s assistant (items 2–8 only). • Nurse practitioner (items 2–8 only). • Certified nurse midwife (items 4–7 only). • Podiatrist (items 4–7 only). • Chiropractor (items 6–8 only).
If the Applicant Suffers FromA cardiovascular disease
If the Applicant Suffers FromA diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility
If the Applicant Suffers FromA severe disability in which they are unable to move without the aid of an assistant device
If the Applicant Suffers FromA significant limitation in the use of lower extremities
If the Applicant Suffers FromThe loss or loss of use of one or more lower extremities and does not apply in person
If the Applicant Suffers FromThe loss or loss of use of both hands and does not apply in person
If the Applicant Suffers FromCentral visual acuity that does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with corrective lenses	The Certification Required IsSections 6 of the REG 195 must be completed by a: • Doctor who specializes in diseases of the eye. • Optometrist.
If the Applicant Suffers FromThe loss of one or more lower extremities or both hands and applies in person	The Certification Required IsSection 6A DMV USE ONLY of the REG 195 may be completed by a DMV employee.

The certification must include the medical license number and signature of the authorized medical provider from California or another state.

Note Certification by a medical provider located and licensed in another country is acceptable only if the customer is applying for a DP travel placard.

The medical provider’s medical license number must be keyed in the MISC field on the RO/LO screen.

21.070 Disabled Person Definition (VC §295.5)

A disabled person is any person who:

• Has lost, or lost the use of, one or more lower extremities or both hands.
• Has a significant limitation in the use of lower extremities, or a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility, or is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistance device.
• Is blind.
• Is suffering from lung disease.
• Is suffering from cardiovascular disease.
  
  

21.065 Congressional Medal of Honor License Plates (VC §5101.6)

A Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH) recipient may obtain CMOH License Plates for one passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial motor vehicle with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less, which they own. CMOH License Plates are not available as a personalized license plate.

The CMOH recipient is exempt from payment of all fees, except fees for duplicates, on that one vehicle only. The vehicle cannot be used for transportation for hire, compensation, or profit.

Vehicles with CMOH License Plates are assigned a 12/31/XX expiration date and must be renewed annually for no fee. The CMOH License Plates may be transferred to another vehicle owned by the recipient.

Note The fee exemption in CVC §9105 can be used for one vehicle only. An individual who qualifies for more than one type of fee-exempt license plate, such as CMOH and POW License Plates, cannot obtain both license plates.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A) form.
• Registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• A copy of the letter given to the applicant when they were awarded the CMOH or a copy of the applicant’s service record.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may not be exchanged to Congressional Medal of Honor License Plates.

Renewal—No additional fee for renewal.

Retention—The license plates cannot be retained.

Reassignment——The following must be submitted:

• The current registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• If the license plates are being retained by the surviving spouse, a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form completed by the surviving spouse stating that they are the spouse of the CMOH License Plate owner and wishes to retain the license plates.

Retention by Surviving Spouse—The surviving spouse of a CMOH License Plate owner may retain the license plates and all license plate privileges, such as the accompanying exemption from registration, license plate reassignment, adding or deleting a co-owner, and license plate replacement fees until the death of that spouse. If there is no surviving spouse, the license plates must be returned to DMV.

Surrender—The CMOH License Plates must be returned to DMV within 60 days of the license plate owner’s or surviving spouse’s death, as appropriate, or by the vehicle registration expiration date, whichever occurs first. If a family member chooses to retain one license plate as an heirloom, only one license plate must be surrendered.

Family Heirloom—A family member (limited to: parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandparent, step grandparent, sibling, or stepsibling) may keep one CMOH License Plate as a family heirloom upon the death of the license plate owner and the surviving spouse, if any. The exemption from registration fees is not extended to the family members. Additional CMOH License Plates will not be made for family members as heirlooms.

The following must be submitted:

• A REG 256 completed by the family member stating their relationship to the CMOH License Plate holder and that they will not use the license plate for registration purposes.
  
  

21.060 Collegiate License Plates (VC §5024)

Collegiate License Plates are available in a sequential series or personalized with two to six characters and may be issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles, and trailers. Commemorative Collegiate License Plates are not available for motorcycles. The only participant is UCLA.

Original Personalized License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed REG 17.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The fees due.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed REG 17.
• Registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may be exchanged to personalized Collegiate License Plates for a fee.

Renewal/Reassignment—Requires an additional fee for renewal or reassignment of the license plates to another vehicle.

Retention—No additional fee is required.

Transfer of Ownership— The license plates remain with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.

21.055 California Museum License Plates (VC §5101.6)

California Museums License Plates are available in sequential configurations of six characters and in personalized configurations of two to six characters and may be issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles (excluding apportioned vehicles), and trailers. The license plates are also available for motorcycles in sequential configurations of five characters and in personalized configurations of two to five characters.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or documents required to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.
• License plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Original or Exchange Personalized License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed REG 17.
• The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plate may be exchanged to personalized California Museums License Plates for a fee.

Renewal/Reassignment— An additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment.

Retention— An additional fee is required for retention.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plates remain with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.

21.050 California Memorial License Plates (VC §5066)

California Memorial License Plates are available in a sequential series or personalized with two to six characters and may be issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles (two to five characters).

• A completed Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or documents required to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.
• The fees due.
  
  

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed REG 17.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.
• The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may be exchanged to personalized California Memorial License Plates for a fee.

Renewal/Reassignment— An additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment of the license plates.

Retention— An additional fee is required for retention.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plates remain with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.

21.045 California Firefighter License Plates

Firefighter License Plates are available in a sequential series or personalized with two to six characters and may be issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles (two to five characters).

License Plate Eligibility Requirements—Only regularly employed or retired firefighters and volunteer firefighters or surviving family member of a deceased firefighter may obtain these license plates; they cannot be purchased by the general public. A surviving family member is the spouse (including a domestic partner, excluding a former spouse) and any child (including an adopted child, stepchild, or recognized natural child) of a deceased firefighter (active, retired, or volunteer) The applicant’s principal duties must be, or have been prior to retirement, within the scope of active firefighting and of providing fire prevention service, fire training, hazardous materials abatement, arson investigation, and emergency medical services.

The applicant’s fire department identification (ID), International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), or California Professional Firefighters (CPF) Callback Association membership card must be presented and verified as proof of eligibility.

Note A photocopy of the Firefighter’s Fire Department ID or CPF Callback Association membership must accompany mail applications or applications for license plates being purchased as a gift. After verification, destroy the photocopy.

Original Personalized License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A) form.
• The applicant’s fire department ID, IAFF membership, or CPF Callback Association membership card as proof of their eligibility.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The fees due.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

• A completed REG 17A.
• The applicant’s fire department ID, IAFF, or CPF Callback Association membership cards as proof of their eligibility.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may be exchanged to personalized Firefighter License Plates for a fee.

Renewal/Reassignment—Requires an additional fee for renewal or reassignment.

Retention—Requires an additional fee for retention. The firefighter’s surviving spouse may retain the Firefighter License Plates without setting a time limit to transfer the license plate. A family member may also retain one of the license plates as a family heirloom.

The following must be submitted:

• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form stating the relationship to the Firefighter License Plate owner and/or surviving spouse. In the absence of a surviving spouse or where the spouse dies while in possession of the Firefighter License Plate, a member of the deceased firefighter’s family may retain one of the Firefighter License Plates. Family is defined as a spouse, parent, step-parent, child, grandparent, sibling, stepchild, step grandparent, and stepsibling. They must state the license plate will not be placed on a vehicle and will be kept as a family heirloom.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plate remains with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.