citation: VEH § 4764

text:
(a) If a vehicle is transferred or the registration is not renewed for two renewal periods and the former registered owner or lessee of the vehicle owes a parking penalty for a notice of delinquent parking violation filed with the department pursuant to Section 40220, the department shall notify each jurisdiction of that fact and is not required thereafter to attempt collection of the undeposited parking penalty and administrative fees.

(b) This section does not apply if the transfer of a vehicle is one described in Section 6285 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 101, Sec. 1. (AB 443) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 6. Refusal of Registration


kind: section

code: VEH

citation: VEH § 4765

text: No exemption from the payment of any fee imposed by this code is an exemption from the obligation of a registered owner or lessee to pay the full amount of parking penalties and administrative fees pursuant to Section 4760.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 939, Sec. 13.)

article: 6. Refusal of Registration

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 6. Refusal of Registration


citation: VEH § 4766

text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the department shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle for which a notice of noncompliance has been transmitted to the department pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 40002.1 if no certificate of adjudication has been received by the department pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section. The department shall include on each potential registration card issued for use at the time of renewal, or on an accompanying document, an itemization of citations for which notices of noncompliance have been received by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 40002.1. The itemization shall include the citation number, citation date, and the jurisdiction that issued the underlying notice pursuant to Section 40002 and the administrative service fee for clearing the offense pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section.

(b) Upon application for renewal of vehicle registration for a vehicle subject to subdivision (a), the department shall not refuse registration renewal pursuant to subdivision (a) if the applicant, with respect to each outstanding certificate of noncompliance, has performed both of the following:

(1) Provides the department with a certificate of adjudication for the offense issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 40002.1.

(2) Pays an administrative service fee, which shall be established by the department to, in the aggregate, defray its costs in administering this section.

(c) Whenever registration of a vehicle subject to subdivision (a) is transferred or not renewed for two renewal periods, the department shall notify each court that transmitted a notice of noncompliance affecting the vehicle of the transfer of, or lack of renewal of, the registration and the department shall not thereafter refuse registration renewal pursuant to subdivision (a).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 215. Effective January 1, 2009.)

division: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE

chapter: 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title

article: 6. Refusal of Registration


citation: VEH § 4767

text:
(a) If delinquent parking or toll violations have been reported to the department for a vehicle for which a transfer of ownership and registration has been requested, the department shall not transfer ownership and registration unless the transferee requesting the transfer pays all of the fines and penalties for those violations to the department, or provides an original abstract or notice of disposition from the court or designated processing agency that the fines and penalties for those violations have been cleared with the parking agency or the court.

(b) This section only applies if the transfer requested is one described in Section 6285 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 101, Sec. 2. (AB 443) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 6. Refusal of Registration


citation: VEH § 4770

text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c) or (d), the department shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle if the registered owner or lessee has been mailed a notice of toll evasion violation, the processing agency has transmitted to the department an itemization of unpaid toll evasion penalties, including administrative fees, pursuant to Section 40267, and the toll evasion penalty and administrative fee have not been paid pursuant to Section 40266, unless the full amount of all outstanding toll evasion penalties and administrative fees, as shown by records of the department are paid to the department at the time of application for renewal.

(b) The designated processing agency shall issue a notice of the disposition of the toll evasion violation or violations to a lessor, if the lessor provides the processing agency with the name, address, and driver’s license number of the lessee at the time of the occurrence of the toll evasion violation.

(c) The department shall renew the registration of a vehicle if the applicant provides the department with the notice of the disposition of the toll evasion violation or violations issued pursuant to subdivision (b) for clearing all outstanding toll evasion penalties and administrative fees, as shown by the records of the department, and the applicant has met all other requirements for registration.

(d) The department shall not refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle if the toll evasion violation occurred prior to the date that the registered owner or lessee took possession of the vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 741, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009.)

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 6.5. Refusal of Registration for Nonpayment of Toll Evasion Penalties


citation: VEH § 4771

text: The department shall include on each vehicle registration renewal notice issued for use at the time of renewal, or on an accompanying document, an itemization of unpaid toll evasion penalties, including administrative fees, showing the amount thereof, the jurisdiction that issued the notice of toll evasion violation, and the date of toll evasion relating thereto, which the registered owner or lessee is required to pay pursuant to Section 4770.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 739, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1996.)

article: 6.5. Refusal of Registration for Nonpayment of Toll Evasion Penalties


citation: VEH § 4772

text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the department shall remit all toll evasion penalties and administrative fees collected, after deducting the administrative fee authorized by Section 4773, for each notice of delinquent toll evasion violation for which toll evasion penalties and administrative fees have been collected pursuant to Section 4770, to each jurisdiction in the amounts due to each jurisdiction according to its unadjudicated notices of delinquent toll violation. Within 45 days from the time penalties are paid to the department, the department shall inform each jurisdiction which of its notices of delinquent toll evasion violation have been collected.

(b) This subdivision applies to facilities developed pursuant to Section 143 of the Streets and Highways Code. For each notice of delinquent toll evasion violation for which toll evasion penalties and administrative fees have been collected by the department pursuant to Section 4770, each issuing agency is due an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid toll, administrative fees, other costs incurred by the issuing agency that are related to toll evasion, process service fees, and fees and collection costs related to civil debt collection. After deducting the department’s administrative fee authorized by Section 4773 and the amounts due each issuing agency for unpaid tolls, administrative fees, other costs incurred by the issuing agency that are related to toll evasion, process service fees, and fees and collection costs related to civil debt collection, the department shall deposit the balance of the toll evasion penalties collected pursuant to Section 4770, if any, in the State Highway Account in the State Transportation Fund.


citation: VEH § 4773

text:
(a) The department shall assess a fee for the recording of the notice of delinquent toll evasion violation, which is given to the department by a processing agency pursuant to Section 40267, in an amount, as determined by the department, that is sufficient to provide a total amount equal to at least its actual costs of administering Sections 4770, 4771, 4774, and 4775, and administering the system described in Section 4456.2.

(b) This section shall become operative January 1, 2018.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 13) and added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 90, Sec. 14. (AB 516) Effective January 1, 2017. Section operative January 1, 2018, by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) The department shall require the entire cost of initially implementing this article to be reimbursed by the issuing agencies that are private entities and by the local authorities described in Section 40250, on whose behalf toll processing procedures are carried out pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 40250) of Chapter 1 of Division 17. For purposes of this section, the cost to the department of initially implementing this article includes all of the one-time costs that are incurred by the department in order to implement this article, but does not include ongoing administrative costs associated with this article. The issuing agencies and the local authorities shall each be required to reimburse the department for 50 percent of the reimbursable costs.

(b) (1) The amount collected pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be the actual cost.

(2) The amount of the reimbursement required by subdivision (a) for each issuing agency and local authority shall be determined by the department in as equitable a manner as possible. In the event of a dispute of the reimbursement required by subdivision (a), an issuing agency may request an audit of applicable costs by a certified public accountant or public accountant. The cost of the audit shall be borne by the issuing agency requesting the audit. The result of the audit shall determine the actual costs.

(c) The processing agency shall access the department’s data base via “on-line” techniques or other methods as the department and the processing agency may agree.


citation: VEH § 4774

text:
(a) If a vehicle is transferred or the registration is not renewed for two renewal periods and the former registered owner or lessee of the vehicle owes a toll evasion penalty for a notice of delinquent toll evasion violation filed with the department pursuant to Section 40267, the department shall notify each jurisdiction of that fact and is not required thereafter to attempt collection of the undeposited toll evasion penalty and administrative fees.

(b) This section does not apply if the transfer of a vehicle is one described in Section 6285 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 101, Sec. 3. (AB 443) Effective January 1, 2014.)


citation: VEH § 4775

text: No exemption from the payment of any fee imposed by this code is an exemption from the obligation of a registered owner or lessee to pay the full amount of toll evasion penalties and administrative fees pursuant to Section 4770.


citation: VEH § 4850

text:
(a) The department, upon registering a vehicle, shall issue to the owner two partially or fully reflectorized license plates or devices for a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and one partially or fully reflectorized license plate or device for all other vehicles required to be registered under this code. The plates or devices shall identify the vehicles for which they are issued for the period of their validity.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no contract shall be let to any nongovernmental entity for the purchase or securing of reflectorized material for the plates, unless the department has made every reasonable effort to secure qualified bids from as many independent, responsible bidders as possible. No contract shall be let to any nongovernmental entity for the manufacturing of reflectorized safety license plates.

(c) In addition to any other fees specified in this code, a fee of one dollar ($1) for reflectorization shall be paid only by those vehicle owners receiving license plates or devices under this section.

(d) This section does not require vehicle owners with nonreflectorized license plates or devices to replace them with reflectorized plates or devices.

(e) This section shall be known as the Schrade-Belotti Act.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 679, Sec. 1. Operative January 1, 1987, by Sec. 4 of Ch. 679.)

article: 7. License Plates

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 7. License Plates


text:
(a) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 4850 and Section 5200, the department, upon registering a truck tractor, shall issue to the owner one suitable license plate or other device which identifies the vehicle for which it is issued and for the period of its validity. The license plate or other device shall be attached to the front of the vehicle.

(b) This section shall become operative only when and if the Department of the California Highway Patrol implements a program which requires identifying numbers on the right and left sides of truck tractors.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 183, Sec. 1. Conditionally operative by its own provisions.)

article: 7. License Plates


citation: VEH § 4851

text: Every license plate shall have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued, together with the word “California” or the abbreviation “Cal.” and the year number for which it is issued or a suitable device issued by the department for validation purposes, which device shall contain the year number for which issued.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)

article: 7. License Plates


citation: VEH § 4852

text:
(a) License plates issued for motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, shall be rectangular in shape, 12 inches in length and six inches in width. The number and letter characters on the plates shall have a minimum height of two and three-quarter inches, a minimum width of one and one-quarter inches, and a minimum spacing between characters of five-sixteenths of an inch.

(b) Motorcycle license plates shall measure seven inches in length and four inches in width, and the characters on the plates shall have a minimum height of one and one-half inches and a minimum width of nine-sixteenths inches, and shall have a minimum spacing between characters of three-sixteenths of an inch.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 859, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 7. License Plates


citation: VEH § 4853

text:
(a) The department may issue one or more stickers, tabs, or other suitable devices in lieu of the license plates provided for under this code. Except when the physical differences between the stickers, tabs, or devices and license plates by their nature render the provisions of this code inapplicable, all provisions of this code relating to license plates may apply to stickers, tabs, or devices.

(b) The department may establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of alternatives to the stickers, tabs, license plates, and registration cards authorized by this code, subject to all of the following requirements:

(1) The alternative products shall be approved by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

(2) The pilot program shall be limited to no more than 0.5 percent of registered vehicles for the purpose of road testing and evaluation.

(3) The alternative products to be evaluated shall be provided at no cost to the state.

(4) Any pilot program established by the department pursuant to this subdivision shall be limited to vehicle owners who have voluntarily chosen to participate in the pilot program.

(c) In the conduct of any pilot program pursuant to this section, any data exchanged between the department and any electronic device or the provider of any electronic device shall be limited to those data necessary to display evidence of registration compliance. The department shall not receive or retain any information generated during the pilot program regarding the movement, location, or use of a vehicle participating in the pilot program.

(d) In the conduct of any pilot program pursuant to this section, the department may evaluate the inclusion of participants in the Business Partner Automation Program, pursuant to Section 1685.

(e) Subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive, shall become inoperative on the effective date of any regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4854.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 746, Sec. 2. (AB 984) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 7. License Plates


citation: VEH § 4854

text:
(a) The department shall establish a program authorizing an entity to issue devices as alternatives to the conventional license plates, stickers, tabs, and registration cards authorized by this code, subject to all of the following requirements:

(1) The alternative device is subject to the approval of the department and the Department of the California Highway Patrol and shall not be used in lieu of a device issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles until that approval has been granted.

(2) (A) Except as specifically authorized in subparagraph (B), an alternative device shall not include vehicle location technology.

(B) (1) (i) Vehicle location technology may be offered for vehicles registered as fleet vehicles, pursuant to Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 5301), commercial vehicles, as defined in Section 260, and those operating under an occupational license, pursuant to Division 5 (commencing with Section 11100).

(ii) Vehicles that began using an alternative device that included vehicle location technology during an authorized pilot program established by Section 4853 may continue to use that alternative device if the vehicle location technology meets the requirements set forth in this section and applicable regulations.

(iii) Beginning on January 1, 2027, and thereafter, any vehicle may be offered an alternative device that includes vehicle location technology.

(2) An alternative device that includes vehicle location technology shall comply with all of the following:

(i) The vehicle location technology shall be capable of being permanently disabled by means of a nonreversible method that ceases all vehicle location functionality and tracking information capabilities.

(ii) The vehicle location technology shall be capable of being manually disabled and enabled by a driver of the vehicle who is inside the vehicle.

(iii) The method of manually disabling and enabling the vehicle location technology shall be prominently located inside the vehicle and easy to use, and shall not require access to a remote or online application, password, or any form of log-in information.

(iv) Once a driver has manually disabled the vehicle location technology from inside the vehicle, the only method of enabling the vehicle location technology shall be to manually enable the technology from inside the vehicle. The registered owner of the license plate, the vehicle manufacturer, the department, or any other entity shall not have the capability of enabling the vehicle location technology through remote means.

(3) If an alternative device is equipped with vehicle location technology, the alternative device shall display a visual indication when the vehicle location technology is in active use.

(4) Data exchanged between the department and the alternative device, or the provider of the alternative device, is limited to that data necessary to display evidence of registration compliance, including the payment of registration fees, plate configurations, and the information or images displayed on the alternative product. If the department receives data from an alternative device or the provider of an alternative device in violation of this paragraph, the department shall immediately delete that data.

(5) Use of an alternative device is optional, and users shall affirmatively opt in to using the alternative device instead of a conventional license plate, sticker, tab, or registration card.

(b) (1) The department shall adopt regulations to carry out this program, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Determining standards necessary for the safe use of alternative products.

(B) Requirements for product oversight and consumer support.

(C) Requirements for product size, design, display, and functionality.

(D) Introduction of new products through a pilot program.

(E) Transitioning pilot products, and approved enhancements to existing alternative products, to a statewide product offering.

(F) Approval of products for statewide use.

(G) Determining data sharing, privacy, and security protocols pursuant to Section 1 of Article I of the California Constitution’s right to privacy and other applicable privacy laws.

(H) Processes for revoking an alternative product’s authority for use.

(I) Testing enhancements to approved alternative products.

(J) Determining the types of plates eligible to participate and associated approval processes.

(K) Establishing reasonable fees to reimburse the department for the costs to implement the program.

(L) Reporting requirements.

(M) Requirements to ensure registered users of a device are aware of GPS capability and usage and can deactivate the function.

(N) Requirements to ensure nonregistered vehicle operators are aware of GPS capability and usage. This may include, but is not limited to, live notifications of the GPS function, toll-free communication with the device provider for vehicle location function status and deactivation, or visual indicators of GPS capability or usage.

(2) In developing these regulations, the department may consult with the Department of the California Highway Patrol and shall conduct hearings with the opportunity for public comment on the adoption of any regulation applicable to alternative registration products.

(3) In developing these regulations, the department may specify timeframes for compliance and temporary operating authority for products piloted under Section 4853 that are submitted for approval under this section.

(4) An entity seeking approval to issue an alternative device or electronic vehicle registration card for pilot or statewide use under this section shall submit a business plan for the device to the department for approval that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(A) An administrative oversight plan.

(B) A product support plan, including, but not limited to, methods of providing proof of registration that are not subject to technological failures to be used in the event of the alternative device malfunctioning or failing.

(C) Information technology security, privacy, and cybersecurity evaluations and measures to protect against unauthorized access to information and the device.

(D) Procedures to comply with applicable privacy and security requirements, including, but not limited to, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (Title 1.81.5 (commencing with Section 1798.100) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code). For purposes of this section, a provider of the device shall not share or sell the information obtained to provide the device, or any other information obtained by virtue of contracting with the department to provide the device, including, but not limited to, information collected by the device itself, nor shall it use the information for any purpose other than as strictly necessary to provide the device and show proof of vehicle registration.

(E) Ensuring that the information transmitted between the alternative device or electronic vehicle registration card, the department, and the provider, as well as any mobile application required for the alternative device or electronic vehicle registration card, including storage, is encrypted and protected to the highest reasonable security standards broadly available.

(5) An alternative device intended to serve in lieu of a license plate shall be subject to all of the following requirements:

(A) Have a minimum effective viewable area that meets the size specifications of Section 4852.

(B) Provide legibility and visibility according to standards consistent with those applied to standard metal reflectorized license plates, as set forth in this article.

(C) Be displayed in a manner consistent with Article 9 (commencing with Section 5200).

(D) Display only information and images approved by the department or deemed necessary by the department.

(E) Be readable by automated license plate readers used by the Department of the California Highway Patrol and any other automated enforcement system.

(F) Be readable by the human eye during hours of both daylight and darkness at a distance of no less than 75 feet.

(G) The alphanumeric characters assigned to the vehicle by the department and evidence of valid registration are capable of and shall be displayed on the device whenever a vehicle is in motion, stationary, parked on or off of a road or highway, or unoccupied.

(6) An alternative device intended to serve in lieu of a registration card is subject to both of the following requirements:

(A) Meets the requirements of Section 4453.

(B) May be used to comply with Section 4462.

(7) An alternative device intended to serve in lieu of a license plate or a registration card shall not record or transmit personal identifiable information and shall only record or transmit data limited to what is necessary to display evidence of registration compliance.

(8) The department may establish additional requirements it deems necessary to implement this subdivision.

(9) The department may authorize an alternative device to replicate the appearance of a license plate approved pursuant to any of the following:

(A) Section 5007.

(B) Article 8.4 (commencing with Section 5060).

(C) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 5100).

(D) Article 8.6 (commencing with Section 5151).

(c) An alternative device failure or malfunction may be deemed a correctable violation if all of the provisions of Section 40610 are met.

(d) The provider of the device, if the device has digital capabilities, shall build into the device a process for frequent notification if the device becomes defective. The provider of the device shall seek to replace defective devices as soon as possible.

(e) Alternative devices issued pursuant to this section may emit diffused nonglaring light only to the extent necessary to meet the visibility requirements of Sections 5201 and 24601.

(f) (1) An employer, or a person acting on behalf of the employer, shall not use an alternative device to monitor employees except during work hours, and only if strictly necessary for the performance of the employee’s duties. For purposes of this section, “monitor” includes, but is not limited to, locating, tracking, watching, listening to, or otherwise surveilling the employee.

(2) An employer, or a person acting on behalf of the employer, shall not retaliate against an employee for removing or disabling an alternative device’s monitoring capabilities, including vehicle location technology, outside of work hours. An employee who believes they have been subject to a violation of this paragraph may file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner pursuant to Section 98.7 of the Labor Code. In addition to the civil penalties described in this provision, an employee retaliated against in violation of this section shall be entitled to all available penalties, remedies, and compensation, including, but not limited to, reinstatement and reimbursement of lost wages, work benefits, or other compensation caused by the retaliation.

(3) An employer or a person acting on behalf of the employer shall provide an employee with a notice stating that monitoring will occur before conducting any monitoring with an alternative device. The notice shall include, at a minimum, all of the following elements:

(A) A description of the specific activities that will be monitored.

(B) A description of the worker data that will be collected as a part of the monitoring.

(C) A notification of whether the data gathered through monitoring will be used to make or inform any employment-related decisions, including, but not limited to, disciplinary and termination decisions, and, if so, how, including any associated benchmarks.

(D) A description of the vendors or other third parties, if any, to which information collected through monitoring will be disclosed or transferred. The description shall include the name of the vendor or third party and the purpose for the data transfer.

(E) A description of the organizational positions that are authorized to access the data gathered through the alternative device.

(F) A description of the dates, times, and frequency that the monitoring will occur.

(G) A description of where the data will be stored and the length of time it will be retained.

(H) A notification of the employee’s right to disable monitoring, including vehicle location technology, outside of work hours.

(4) (A) An employer who violates this subdivision shall be subject to a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for an initial violation and one thousand dollars ($1,000) per employee for each subsequent violation.

(B) For purposes of determining the penalty described in subparagraph (A), the penalty shall be assessed per employee, per violation, and per day that monitoring without proper notice is conducted.

(C) The Labor Commissioner shall enforce this section using the procedures set forth in Section 1197.1 of the Labor Code, as applicable, including through the issuance of citations against employers who violate this section. The procedures for issuing and contesting citations, and enforcing judgments for civil penalties, that are issued by the Labor Commissioner pursuant to this section shall be the same as those set forth in Section 1197.1 of the Labor Code.

(D) An employer, and any third-party vendor that contracts with an employer to provide GPS tracking of vehicles through an alternative device as described in this section, upon request, shall furnish any report or information that the Labor Commissioner or the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement requires to carry out this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 756, Sec. 2. (AB 3138) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 7. License Plates


citation: VEH § 5000

text:
(a) Identification plates issued for trailers, semitrailers, motor-driven cycles, and pole and pipe dollies, and such vehicles as are exempt from the payment of registration fees under this code shall display suitable distinguishing marks or symbols, and the registration numbers assigned to each class of vehicles shall run in a separate numerical series, except that registration numbers assigned to vehicles exempt from the payment of registration fees may run in several separate numerical series.

(b) Vehicles subject to Sections 9400 and 9400.1 shall be issued license plates with suitable distinguishing marks or symbols distinguishing them from other license plates issued.

(c) Vehicles subject to Section 5014.1 shall be issued permanent identification plates with suitable distinguishing marks or symbols that distinguish them from other license plates.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 861, Sec. 21. Effective September 29, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 861.)

article: 8. Special Plates

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5001

text: The department may issue license plates for vehicles exempt from registration fees in the same series as plates issued for nonexempt vehicles. The plates may be issued for a one-year period and only upon the certification of the department that the issuance of the plates has been requested by the head of a criminal justice or a law enforcement agency of a city, county, or state or federal department, that the vehicle is assigned to persons responsible for investigating actual or suspected violations of the law or the supervision of persons liberated from a state prison or other institution under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections by parole or the supervision of persons liberated from an institution under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Youth Authority by parole, and is intended for use in the line of duty.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 576, Sec. 1.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text: The director may enter into agreements or arrangements with motor vehicle departments in other states to provide for a reciprocal exchange of regular series license plates for the purposes of and under the conditions provided in Sections 5001 and 5003.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 576, Sec. 2.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5002

text: The department may issue regular series plates to the Department of General Services for use on motor vehicles maintained within motor vehicle pools of state-owned vehicles when the vehicles are used for the purposes set forth in Section 5001, except that the Department of General Services shall not assign, dispatch, or otherwise make any of those vehicles available for use by any agency of the state except upon the certification of the department.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 576, Sec. 3.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text: The department shall issue regular series license plates for any motor vehicle owned by, or in the possession and use of, the Senate or Assembly, upon the request of the Rules Committee thereof.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1967, Ch. 162.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) The Chancellor or a president of a campus of the California State University, or the president or a chancellor of a campus of the University of California, who is regularly issued a state-owned vehicle may apply to the department for regular series license plates for that vehicle, if a request for that issuance is also made by the Trustees of the California State University or the Regents of the University of California, as applicable. The request by the president or chancellor and by the trustees or regents shall be in the manner specified by the department.

(b) Regular series license plates issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be surrendered to the department by the trustees or regents, as applicable, upon the reassignment of a vehicle, for which those plates have been issued, to a person other than the person who requested those plates.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 146, Sec. 219. Effective January 1, 1995.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) For a county of over 20,000 square miles in area, a member of the county board of supervisors, or a county assessor, auditor, controller, treasurer, or tax collector, who is regularly issued a county-owned vehicle may apply to the department for regular series license plates for that vehicle, if a request for that issuance is also made by the county board of supervisors. The application and the request shall be in the manner specified by the department.

(b) Regular series license plates issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be surrendered to the department by the board member or administrative officer, as applicable, upon the reassignment of a vehicle, for which those plates have been issued, to a person other than the person who requested those plates.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 630, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) (1) Distinctive license plates issued for a motor vehicle owned by a current or retired Member of the California Legislature, which plates denote that the person is, or was, a Member of the Legislature, and distinctive license plates issued for a vehicle owned by a Member of the Congress of the United States, which plates denote that the person is a Member of Congress, shall be subject to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration.

(2) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, the applicant shall be charged the following additional fees:

(b) For an original registration, the applicant shall be charged the fee specified in subdivision (a) of Section 5106.

(c) For a renewal of registration, the applicant shall be charged the fee specified in subdivision (b) of Section 5106.

(d) When a Member or former Member of the California Legislature or a Member of the Congress of the United States who has been issued personalized license plates pursuant to this section applies to the department for transfer of the plates to another passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, a transfer fee in the amount specified pursuant to Section 5108 shall be charged in addition to all other appropriate fees.

(e) After deducting the costs incurred by the department to administer this section, the department shall deposit in the California Environmental License Plate Fund, all fees received by the department in payment for the issuance, renewal, or transfer of the special license plates authorized under this section.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 748, Sec. 2. (AB 2068) Effective January 1, 2013. Amended version operative January 1, 2014, by its own provisions.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5003

text: The department shall maintain a record of the registration of exempt vehicles with regular series plates, which record shall not be open to public inspection. The record shall be disclosed in the event of any accident involving a vehicle so registered on demand of the Attorney General or upon an order of court. In the event of an inquiry by a county sheriff, city chief of police, or judge of any court relating to such exempt vehicle in connection with an alleged violation of state or local traffic laws, the department shall notify the supervisor of the person to whom the vehicle was assigned of the inquiry and the alleged violation and shall notify the inquiring official that this has been done without disclosing the name of the person involved.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1959, Ch. 536.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5004

text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any owner of a vehicle described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) which is operated or moved over the highway primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition or other similar purpose shall, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed by the department, be issued special identification plates for the vehicle:

(1) A motor vehicle with an engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965.

(2) A motor vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 or prior thereto.

(3) A vehicle which was manufactured after 1922, is at least 25 years old, and is of historic interest.

(b) The special identification plates assigned to motor vehicles with an engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965 and to any motor vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 and prior thereto shall run in a separate numerical series, commencing with “Horseless Carriage No. 1”.

The special identification plates assigned to vehicles specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall run in a separate numerical series, commencing with “Historical Vehicle No. 1”.

Each series of plates shall have different and distinguishing colors.

(c) A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be charged for the initial issuance of the special identification plates. Such plates shall be permanent and shall not be required to be replaced. If such special identification plates become damaged or unserviceable in any manner, replacement for the plates may be obtained from the department upon proper application and upon payment of such fee as is provided for in Section 9265.

(d) All funds received by the department in payment for such identification plates or the replacement thereof shall be deposited in the California Environmental License Plate Fund.

(e) These vehicles shall not be exempt from the equipment provisions of Sections 26709, 27150, and 27600.

(f) As used in this section, a vehicle is of historic interest if it is collected, restored, maintained, and operated by a collector or hobbyist principally for purposes of exhibition and historic vehicle club activities.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 918, Sec. 1.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) (1) An owner of a vehicle that is a 1980 or older model-year vehicle may, after the requirements for the registration of the vehicle are complied with and with the approval of the department, utilize license plates of this state with the date of year corresponding to the model-year date when the vehicle was manufactured, if the model-year date license plate is legible and serviceable, as determined by the department, in lieu of the license plates otherwise required by this code.

(2) The department may consult with an organization of old car hobbyists in determining whether the date of year of the license plate corresponds to the model-year date when the vehicle was manufactured.

(b) A fee of forty-five dollars ($45) shall be charged for the application for the use of the special plates.

(c) In addition to the regular renewal fee for the vehicle for which the plates are authorized, the applicant for a renewal of the plates shall be charged an additional fee of ten dollars ($10). If payment of a regular vehicle renewal fee is not required by this code, the holder of license plates with a date corresponding to the model-year may retain the plates upon payment of an annual fee of twenty dollars ($20) that shall be due at the expiration of the registration year of the vehicle to which the plates were last assigned under this section.

(d) If a person who is authorized to utilize the special license plates applies to the department for transfer of the plates to another vehicle, a transfer fee of twelve dollars ($12) shall be charged in addition to all other appropriate fees.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 157, Sec. 1. (SB 1429) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish the California Legacy License Plate Program and create and issue a series of specialized license plates known as California Legacy License Plates that replicate the look of California license plates from the state’s past. The design of the plates shall be identical, to the extent the department determines it to be reasonably feasible under current manufacturing processes, to a regular license plate, except as provided in subdivision (b).

(b) The California Legacy License Plates shall consist of one or more of the following designs:

(1) Yellow background with black lettering per the appearance of California license plates issued by the department from 1956 to 1962, inclusive.

(2) Black background with yellow lettering per the appearance of California license plates issued by the department from 1965 to 1968, inclusive.

(3) Blue background with yellow lettering per the appearance of California license plates issued by the department from 1969 to 1986, inclusive.

(c) An applicant for the specialized license plates described in subdivision (a), who shall be the owner or lessee of the vehicle on which the plates will be displayed, may choose to either accept a license plate character sequence assigned by the department or request a combination of letters or numbers or both, subject to Section 5105.

(d) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, the following additional fees shall be paid for the issuance, renewal, retention, or transfer of the specialized license plates:

(1) Fifty dollars ($50) for the original issuance of the plates.

(2) Forty dollars ($40) for a renewal of registration with the plates.

(3) Fifteen dollars ($15) for transfer of the plates to another vehicle.

(4) Thirty-five dollars ($35) for each substitute replacement plate.

(5) Thirty-eight dollars ($38), when the payment of renewal fees is not required as specified in Section 4000 and the holder of the specialized license plates retains the plates. The fee shall be due at the expiration of the registration year of the vehicle to which the specialized license plates were assigned. This paragraph shall not apply when a plate character sequence is assigned by the department pursuant to subdivision (c).

(e) Sections 5106 and 5108 do not apply to the specialized license plates issued pursuant to this section.

(f) The department shall not issue California Legacy License Plates for a vehicle that is exempt from the payment of registration fees pursuant to Section 9101 or 9103.

(g) (1) The department shall not establish the California Legacy License Plate Program until the department has received not less than 7,500 paid applications for plates. The department shall collect and hold applications for the plates. The department shall not issue a specialized license plate until it has received not less than 7,500 paid applications for any one of the particular plates within the time period prescribed in this section.

(2) The department shall have until January 1, 2015, to receive the required number of applications. If, after that date, 7,500 paid applications have not been received for any one of the three plates described in subdivision (b), the department shall immediately refund to all applicants all fees or deposits that have been collected.

(h) (1) Upon a determination by the department that there are sufficient funds for the program, moneys shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for the necessary administrative costs of establishing the California Legacy License Plate Program.

(2) After deducting its administrative costs under this subdivision, the department shall deposit any additional revenue derived from the issuance, renewal, transfer, retention, and substitution of the specialized license plates into the California Environmental License Plate Fund, for appropriation by the Legislature pursuant to existing law. For purposes of this paragraph, “administrative costs” includes the costs of including the California Legacy License Plates in materials that promote special license plates authorized by this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 208, Sec. 8. (AB 2906) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any owner of a motorcycle manufactured in the year 1942 or prior thereto shall, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed by the department, be issued special license plates for the motorcycle. The special license plates assigned to such motorcycles shall run in a separate numerical series. An additional fee of fifteen dollars ($15) shall be charged for the initial issuance of the special license plates. Such plates shall be permanent and shall not be required to be replaced. If such special license plates become damaged or unserviceable in any manner, replacement for the plates may be obtained from the department upon proper application and upon payment of such fee as is provided for in Section 9265. Except as otherwise provided in this section, such motorcycles shall be subject to the same annual registration fees and provisions of law as are other motorcycles.

All revenues derived from the fees provided for in this section above actual costs of the production and issuance of the special plates for motorcycles, or the replacement thereof, shall be deposited in the California Environmental License Plate Fund by the department.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 415, Sec. 3.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5005

text:
(a) Any person holding an unexpired amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission may, after the requirements for the registration of the motor vehicle have been complied with, also apply directly to the department for special license plates, and the department may issue special plates in lieu of the regular license plates. The special license plates shall be affixed to the motor vehicle for which registration is sought and, in lieu of the numbers otherwise prescribed by law, shall display the official amateur radio station call letters of the applicant as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.

The applicant shall, by satisfactory proof, show that he or she is the holder of an unexpired license.

(b) The department shall not issue more than one set of special plates for any licensed amateur radio station.

(c) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, the following special fees shall be paid:

(1) Twenty dollars ($20) for the initial issuance of the special plate.

(2) Twelve dollars ($12) for the transfer of the special plate to another motor vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1273, Sec. 5.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5006

text:
(a) The department may issue distinctive license plates for motor vehicles owned or leased by an honorary consular officer or a similar official when the department is otherwise satisfied that the issuance of the license plates is in order. An honorary consular officer or similar official is a citizen of the United States, or a permanent resident of this country, who is appointed by a foreign country for the purpose of facilitating and promoting the interest of that country.

(b) The motor vehicles for which the license plates are issued shall be subject to all regular license and registration fees. In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, the additional fees specified in Sections 5106 and 5108, as applicable, shall be paid, and shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account in the State Transportation Fund.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 752, Sec. 1.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) The department may issue, for a fee determined by the department to be sufficient to reimburse the department for actual costs incurred pursuant to this section, distinctive license plates for motor vehicles owned or leased by an officer or a designated employee of a foreign organization recognized by the United States pursuant to the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. Sec. 3301 et seq.) when the department is otherwise satisfied that the issuance of the license plates is in order.

(b) The distinctive license plates shall be designed by the department and shall contain the words “Foreign Organization.”

(c) The department shall establish procedures for both of the following:

(1) To verify the eligibility of an applicant for plates issued pursuant to this section.

(2) To authorize a recognized foreign organization to apply on behalf of its officers for plates issued pursuant to this section.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 397, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5007

text:
(a) The department shall, upon application and without additional fees, issue a special license plate or plates pursuant to procedures adopted by the department to all of the following:

(1) A disabled person.

(2) A disabled veteran.

(3) An organization or agency involved in the transportation of disabled persons or disabled veterans if the motor vehicle that will have the special license plate is used solely for the purpose of transporting those persons.

(b) The special license plates issued under subdivision (a) shall run in a regular numerical series that shall include one or more unique two-letter codes reserved for disabled person license plates or disabled veteran license plates. The International Symbol of Access adopted pursuant to Section 3 of Public Law 100-641, commonly known as the “wheelchair symbol” shall be depicted on each plate.

(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), before issuing a special license plate to a disabled person or disabled veteran, the department shall require the submission of a certificate, in accordance with paragraph (2), signed by the physician and surgeon, or to the extent that it does not cause a reduction in the receipt of federal aid highway funds, by a nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant, substantiating the disability, unless the applicant’s disability is readily observable and uncontested. The disability of a person who has lost, or has lost the use of, one or more lower extremities or one hand, for a disabled veteran, or both hands for a disabled person, or who has significant limitation in the use of lower extremities, may also be certified by a licensed chiropractor. The disability of a person related to the foot or ankle may be certified by a licensed podiatrist. The blindness of an applicant shall be certified by a licensed physician and surgeon who specializes in diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist. The physician and surgeon, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, physician assistant, chiropractor, or optometrist certifying the qualifying disability shall provide a full description of the illness or disability on the form submitted to the department.

(2) The physician and surgeon, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, physician assistant, chiropractor, podiatrist, or optometrist who signs a certificate submitted under this subdivision shall retain information sufficient to substantiate that certificate and, upon request of the department, shall make that information available for inspection by the Medical Board of California or the appropriate regulatory board.

(3) For a disabled veteran, the department shall accept, in lieu of the certificate described in paragraph (1), a certificate from a county veterans service officer, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that certifies that the applicant is a disabled veteran as described in Section 295.7.

(d) A disabled person or disabled veteran who is issued a license plate or plates under this section shall, upon request, present to a peace officer, or person authorized to enforce parking laws, ordinances, or regulations, a certification form that substantiates the eligibility of the disabled person or veteran to possess the plate or plates. The certification shall be on a form prescribed by the department and contain the name of the disabled person or disabled veteran to whom the plate or plates were issued, and the name, address, and telephone number of the medical professional described in subdivision (c) who certified the eligibility of the person or veteran for the plate or plates.

(e) The certification requirements of subdivisions (c) and (d) do not apply to an organization or agency that is issued a special license plate or plates under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(f) The special license plate shall, upon the death of the disabled person or disabled veteran, be returned to the department within 60 days or upon the expiration of the vehicle registration, whichever occurs first.

(g) When a motor vehicle subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) is sold or transferred, the special license plate or plates issued to an organization or agency under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) for that motor vehicle shall be immediately returned to the department.

(h) The department shall require a person who applies for a special license plate pursuant to this section to provide proof of the applicant’s true full name and date of birth that shall be established by submitting one of the following to the department:

(1) A copy or facsimile of the applicant’s state issued driver’s license or identification card.

(2) A copy or facsimile of the document required for an applicant for a driver’s license or identification card to establish the applicant’s true full name.

(3) An applicant unable to establish legal presence in the United States may fulfill the true full name and date of birth requirement by providing the department a copy or facsimile of the documents used to establish identity pursuant to Section 12801.9.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 42, Sec. 1. (AB 408) Effective January 1, 2021.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) Upon a receipt of request for information by a local law enforcement agency or local or state agency responsible for the administration or enforcement of parking regulations, the department shall make available to the requesting agency any information contained in a physician’s certificate submitted to the department to substantiate the disability of a person applying for or who has been issued special license plates pursuant to Section 5007. The department shall not provide the information specified in this subdivision to any private entity or third-party parking citation processing agency.

(b) A local authority may establish a review board or panel, for the purposes of reviewing information contained in applications for special license plates and the certification of qualifying disabilities for persons residing within the jurisdiction of the local authority. The review board shall include a physician or other medical authority. Any findings or determinations by a review board or panel under this section indicating that an application or certification is fraudulent or lacks proper certification shall be transmitted to the department or other appropriate authorities for further review and investigation.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 404, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5008

text:
(a) Any person who is regularly employed or engaged as a bona fide newspaper, newsreel, or television photographer or cameraman, may, after the requirements for the registration of the motor vehicle have been complied with, also apply for special license plates, and the department shall issue special license plates in lieu of the regular license plates. The special license plates shall be affixed to the vehicle for which registration is sought and shall display the letters “PP” enclosed by a shield.

The applicant shall, by satisfactory proof, show that he or she is a bona fide newspaper, newsreel, or television photographer or cameraman.

(b) The department shall not issue more than one set of the special plates to any person.

(c) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, the following special fees shall be paid:

(1) Twenty dollars ($20) for the initial issuance of the special plate.

(2) Twelve dollars ($12) for the transfer of the special plate to another motor vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1273, Sec. 5.5.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5010

text: Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, when a motor vehicle which is leased to a school district for use as a schoolbus, as defined in Section 545, temporarily reverts to the possession and control of the lessor, and if the motor vehicle thereafter becomes subject to registration, the lessor may, as an alternative to such registration, secure a temporary permit to operate the vehicle in this state for any one or more calendar months. Such permit shall be posted upon the windshield or other prominent place upon the vehicle, and shall identify the vehicle for which it is affixed. When so affixed, such permit shall serve in lieu of registration. If such a lessor operates the motor vehicle under a temporary permit issued pursuant to this section, he shall notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5000 continue to display on the vehicle the exempt license plates issued to the vehicle as a schoolbus. Upon payment of the fees specified in Section 9266, the department may issue a temporary permit under this section.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 871.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5011

text: Every piece of special construction equipment, special mobile equipment, cemetery equipment, trailer, semitrailer, and every logging vehicle shall display an identification plate issued pursuant to Section 5014 or 5014.1.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 826, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2002.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5014

text:
An application by a person other than a manufacturer or dealer for an identification plate for special construction equipment, cemetery equipment, special mobile equipment, logging vehicle, cotton trailer, or farm trailer as specified in Section 36109, a vehicle that is farmer-owned and used as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 36101, a motor vehicle that is farmer-owned and operated and used as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 36101, an automatic bale wagon operated as specified in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 36102, or a farm trailer that is owned, rented, or leased by a farmer and is operated and used as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 36010, shall include the following:

(a) The true, full name and the driver’s license or identification card number, if any, of the owner.

(b) A statement by the owner of the use or uses which he or she intends to make of the equipment.

(c) A description of the vehicle, including any distinctive marks or features.

(d) A photograph of the vehicle. Only one photograph of one piece of equipment shall be required to be attached to the application when identification plates are to be obtained for more than one piece of equipment, each of which is of the same identical type.

(e) Other information as may reasonably be required by the department to determine whether the applicant is entitled to be issued an identification plate.

(f) A service fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for each vehicle. The plates shall be renewed between January 1 and February 4 every five calendar years, commencing in 1986. Any part of the year of the first application constitutes a calendar year. An application for renewal of an identification plate shall contain a space for the applicant’s driver’s license or identification card number, and the applicant shall furnish that number, if any, in the space provided.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 719, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2004.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) Upon the implementation of the permanent trailer identification plate program, the following applies:

(1) All trailers, except in cases where the registrant has elected to apply for trailer identification plates pursuant to Section 5014 or the trailer is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 36100 or 36109, shall receive an identification certificate upon conversion to the permanent trailer identification program. The following trailers, except as provided in Section 5101, may be assigned a trailer identification plate by the department in accordance with this section or an election may be made to keep the current plate on the expiration date of registration:

(A) Logging dolly.

(B) Pole or pipe dolly.

(C) Semitrailer.

(D) Trailer.

(E) Trailer bus.

(2) An auxiliary dolly or tow dolly may be assigned a permanent trailer identification plate.

(3) Trailer coaches and park trailers, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, are exempted from the permanent trailer identification plate program.

(b) The permanent trailer identification plate shall be in a size and design as determined by the department.

(c) The permanent trailer identification plate and the permanent trailer identification certificate shall not expire as long as the appropriate fees have been paid.

(d) Upon sale or transfer of the trailer or semitrailer, the assigned permanent trailer identification plate shall remain with the trailer or semitrailer for the life of the vehicle except as provided in Section 5101. Upon transfer of ownership, a new identification certificate shall be issued and the transferee shall pay a fee of seven dollars ($7).

(e) A service fee, sufficient to pay at least the entire actual costs to the department, not to exceed twenty dollars ($20) shall be assessed by the department upon converting to the permanent trailer identification program.

(f) A fee of seven dollars ($7) for substitute permanent trailer identification plates or certificates shall be charged.

(g) All valid trailer and semitrailer license plates and registration indicia that were issued under this code prior to December 31, 2001, upon which is affixed a permanent trailer identification sticker issued by the department, may be displayed in lieu of a permanent trailer identification plate as described in Sections 5011 and 5014.

(h) Every trailer that is submitted for original registration in this state shall be issued a permanent trailer identification plate and identification certificate.

(i) A service fee of ten dollars ($10) shall be charged for each vehicle renewing identification plates pursuant to this section. These plates shall be renewed on the anniversary date of either the trailer plate expiration date or the date of issuance of the original permanent trailer identification plate, every five calendar years commencing December 31, 2006.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 826, Sec. 14.5. Effective January 1, 2002.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5015

text:
(a) The application for an identification plate for special construction equipment, special mobile equipment, cemetery equipment, and any logging vehicle shall be made before that piece of equipment is moved over a highway.

(b) The application for an identification plate for a cotton trailer or a farm trailer as specified in Section 36109, a vehicle that is farmer-owned and used as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 36101, a motor vehicle that is farmer-owned and operated and used as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 36101, or an automatic bale wagon operated as specified in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 36102 shall be made before any such piece of equipment is moved over a highway.

(c) The application for a permanent trailer identification plate, as described in Section 5014.1, shall be made prior to the equipment or vehicle described in subdivision (a) being moved, towed, or left standing on any highway or in any offstreet public parking facility.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 861, Sec. 25. Effective September 29, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 861.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5016

text: Upon proper application and payment of the fees specified in Section 5014.1 or 9261, the department shall issue an identification plate and an identification certificate for the piece of equipment, vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or implement of husbandry for which application is made.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 861, Sec. 26. Effective September 29, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 861.)

article: 8. Special Plates


text:
(a) The department may issue a special identification plate or other suitable device to a manufacturer or dealer of special construction equipment, special mobile equipment, cemetery equipment, tow dolly, logging vehicle, or implement of husbandry upon payment of the fee specified in subdivision (b) of Section 9261. The identification plate or other suitable device shall be of a size, color, and configuration determined by the department. The form of the application shall also be determined by the department.

(b) A manufacturer or dealer of special construction equipment, special mobile equipment, cemetery equipment, any tow dolly, any logging vehicle, or any implement of husbandry may operate or move such equipment or vehicle upon the highways during the delivery of or during the demonstration for the sale of such piece of equipment or vehicle upon condition that any such equipment or vehicle display thereon an identification plate or other suitable device issued to such manufacturer or dealer; provided, that special permits have been obtained in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 (commencing with Section 35780) of Chapter 5 of Division 15 for the operation or movement of any such equipment or vehicle of a size, weight, or load exceeding the maximum specified in this code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1077, Sec. 5. Operative July 1, 1985, by Sec. 21 of Ch. 1077.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5017

text:
(a) Each identification plate issued under Section 5016 shall bear a distinctive number to identify the equipment, logging vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or implement of husbandry for which it is issued. The owner, upon being issued a plate, shall attach it to the equipment, logging vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or implement of husbandry for which it is issued and shall carry the identification certificate issued by the department as provided by Section 4454. It shall be unlawful for any person to attach or use the plate upon any other equipment, logging vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or implement of husbandry. If the equipment, logging vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or implement of husbandry is destroyed or the ownership thereof transferred to another person, the person to whom the plate was issued shall, within 10 days, notify the department, on a form approved by the department, that the equipment, logging vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or implement of husbandry has been destroyed or the ownership thereof transferred to another person.

(b) Upon the implementation of the permanent trailer identification plate program, all trailers except those exempted in paragraphs (1) and (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 5014.1 may be assigned a single permanent plate for identification purposes. Upon issuance of the plate, it shall be attached to the vehicle pursuant to Sections 5200 and 5201.

(c) An identification certificate shall be issued for each trailer or semitrailer assigned an identification plate. The identification certificate shall contain upon its face, the date issued, the name and residence or business address of the registered owner or lessee and of the legal owner, if any, the vehicle identification number assigned to the trailer or semitrailer, and a description of the trailer or semitrailer as complete as that required in the application for registration of the trailer or semitrailer. For those trailers registered under Article 4 (commencing with Section 8050) of Chapter 4 on the effective date of the act adding this sentence that are being converted to the permanent trailer identification program, the identification card may contain only the name of the registrant, and the legal owner’s name is not required to be shown. Upon transfer of those trailers, the identification card shall contain the name of the owner and legal owner, if any. When an identification certificate has been issued to a trailer or semitrailer, the owner or operator shall make that certificate available for inspection by a peace officer upon request.

(d) The application for transfer of ownership of a vehicle with a trailer plate or permanent trailer identification plate shall be made within 10 days of sale of the vehicle. The permanent trailer identification certificate is not a certificate of ownership as described in Section 38076.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 664, Sec. 214. Effective January 1, 2003.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5018

text: Whenever the ownership of equipment, a logging vehicle, or an implement of husbandry is transferred, the transferee shall within 10 days thereafter make application to the department for a transfer of ownership and pay the fee specified in subdivision (c) of Section 9261.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1077, Sec. 7. Operative July 1, 1985, by Sec. 21 of Ch. 1077.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5019

text: The authorizations for the issuance of special license plates referred to in Sections 5005 and 5008 do not apply to trailers.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 918, Sec. 3.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5020

text:
Any person holding an unexpired license for a class D radio station in the Citizens Radio Service issued by the Federal Communications Commission may, at the time he or she makes application for an original or a renewal registration for a motor vehicle, also apply directly to the department for special license plates, to be affixed to the motor vehicle for which registration is sought, on which, in lieu of the numbers otherwise prescribed by law, shall be inscribed the official class D radio station call sign of the applicant as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.

The applicant shall, by satisfactory proof, show that he or she is the holder of an unexpired license and, in addition to the regular registration fee, may be charged a fee of twenty dollars ($20) for each set of special plates when issued and fifteen dollars ($15) each succeeding year the vehicle is registered. Whenever the vehicle or the ownership of the vehicle for which plates are issued is changed, a fee of twenty dollars ($20) may be charged. When the applicant also pays weight fees, the department shall so indicate on the special license plates.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1273, Sec. 6.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5021

text: After the requirements for the registration of the vehicle have been complied with, the department shall issue such plates in lieu of the regular license plates. The department shall not issue more than one set of special plates for any licensed class D radio station in the Citizens Radio Service.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 1442.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5022

text:
(a) Until December 31, 1984, a person described in Section 5101 may also apply for a set of commemorative 1984 Olympic reflectorized license plates and the department shall issue those special license plates in lieu of the regular license plates. No commemorative 1984 Olympic reflectorized license plates shall be issued pursuant to an application therefor which is submitted on or after January 1, 1985, but the holder of those plates may thereafter renew or retain them, or transfer them to another vehicle, subject to this section.

(b) The commemorative 1984 Olympic reflectorized license plates shall be of a distinctive design and shall be available in a special series of letters or numbers, or both, as determined by the department after consultation with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.

(c) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, a special fee of twelve dollars ($12) shall be paid for the transfer of the special plates to another vehicle.

(d) When payment of renewal fees is not required as specified in Section 4000, or when the person determines to retain the plates upon sale, trade, or other release of the vehicle upon which the special plates have been displayed, the person shall notify the department and the person may retain the special plates.

(e) Until December 31, 1989, duplicate, replacement plates shall be identical commemorative 1984 Olympic reflectorized license plates of the same letter, number, and design as originally issued. However, duplicate, replacement plates of the commemorative 1984 Olympic reflectorized license plate series shall not be available on or after January 1, 1990. Thereafter, unless otherwise provided by this code, regular series plates shall be issued for the fee provided in Section 9265 whenever substitute or duplicate plates are requested.

(f) All revenue derived from the additional special fees provided in this section shall be deposited in the California Environmental License Plate Fund pursuant to Section 21191 of the Public Resources Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 523, Sec. 23. (SB 788) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5023

text:
(a) (1) Until December 31, 2013, a person described in Section 5101 may also apply for a set of commemorative Olympic reflectorized license plates and the department shall issue those special license plates in lieu of regular license plates. The commemorative Olympic reflectorized license plates shall be of a distinctive design and shall be available in a special series of letters or numbers, or both, as determined by the department after consultation with the United States Olympic Committee. The department may issue the commemorative Olympic reflectorized license plates as environmental license plates, as defined in Section 5103, in a combination of numbers or letters, or both, as requested by the owner or lessee of the vehicle.

(2) On or after January 1, 2014, original, substitute, or duplicate Olympic license plates, including those issued as environmental license plates, shall not be available. However, the holder of Olympic license plates may thereafter renew or retain those plates, or transfer them to another vehicle, subject to this section. Unless otherwise provided by this code, regular series plates shall be issued for the fee provided in Section 9265 whenever substitute or duplicate plates are requested.

(3) On or after January 1, 2014, the holder of Olympic license plates issued as environmental license plates, as defined in Section 5103, may apply for other special license plates using the exact combination of numbers or letters, or both, if authorized by this code, whenever the holder requests substitute or duplicate plates.

(b) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, the following special fees shall be paid:

(1) Fifteen dollars ($15) for the transfer of the special plates to another vehicle.

(2) Thirty dollars ($30) for the annual renewal of the special plates.

(c) When payment of renewal fees is not required as specified in Section 4000, or when the person determines to retain the plates upon sale, trade, or other release of the vehicle upon which the special plates have been displayed, the person shall notify the department and the person may retain the special plates.

(d) All revenue derived from the additional special fees provided in this section, less costs incurred by the department pursuant to this section, shall be deposited in the General Fund.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 523, Sec. 24. (SB 788) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5024

text:
(a) A person described in Section 5101 may also apply for a set of commemorative collegiate reflectorized license plates, and the department shall issue those special license plates in lieu of the regular license plates. The collegiate reflectorized plates shall be of a distinctive design, and shall be available in a special series of letters or numbers, or both, as determined by the department. The collegiate reflectorized plates shall also contain the name of the participating institution as well as the reflectorized logotype, motto, symbol, or other distinctive design, as approved by the department, representing the participating university or college selected by the applicant. The department may issue the commemorative collegiate reflectorized license plates as environmental license plates, as defined in Section 5103, in a combination of numbers or letters, or both, as requested by the owner or lessee of the vehicle.

(b) Any public or private postsecondary educational institution in the state, which is accredited or has been accepted as a recognized candidate for accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, may indicate to the department its decision to be included in the commemorative collegiate license plate program and submit its distinctive design for the logotype, motto, symbol, or other design. However, no public or private postsecondary educational institution may be included in the program until not less than 5,000 applications are received for license plates containing that institution’s logotype, motto, symbol, or other design. Each participating institution shall collect and hold applications for collegiate license plates until it has received at least 5,000 applications. Once the institution has received at least 5,000 applications, it shall submit the applications, along with the necessary fees, to the department. Upon receiving the first application, the institution shall have one calendar year to receive the remaining required applications. If, after that one calendar year, 5,000 applications have not been received, the institution shall refund to all applicants any fees or deposits which have been collected.

(c) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration, a renewal of registration, or a transfer of registration, the following commemorative collegiate license plate fees shall be paid:

(1) Fifty dollars ($50) for the initial issuance of the plates. These plates shall be permanent and shall not be required to be replaced.

(2) Forty dollars ($40) for each renewal of registration which includes the continued display of the plates.

(3) Fifteen dollars ($15) for transfer of the plates to another vehicle.

(4) Thirty-five dollars ($35) for replacement plates, if the plates become damaged or unserviceable.

(d) When payment of renewal fees is not required as specified in Section 4000, or when the person determines to retain the commemorative collegiate license plates upon sale, trade, or other release of the vehicle upon which the plates have been displayed, the person shall notify the department and the person may retain the plates.

(e) Of the revenue derived from the additional special fees provided in this section, less costs incurred by the department pursuant to this section, one-half shall be deposited in the California Collegiate License Plate Fund, which is hereby created, and one-half shall be deposited in the California Environmental License Plate Fund.

(f) The money in the California Collegiate License Plate Fund is, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, continuously appropriated to the Controller for allocation as follows:

(1) To the governing body of participating public institutions in the proportion that funds are collected on behalf of each, to be used for need-based scholarships, distributed according to federal student aid guidelines.

(2) With respect to funds collected on behalf of accredited nonprofit, private, and independent colleges and universities in the state, to the California Student Aid Commission for grants to students at those institutions, in the proportion that funds are collected on behalf of each institution, who demonstrate eligibility and need in accordance with the Cal Grant Program pursuant to Chapter 1.7 (commencing with Section 69430) of Part 42 of the Education Code, but who did not receive an award based on a listing prepared by the California Student Aid Commission.

(g) The scholarships and grants shall be awarded without regard to race, religion, creed, sex, or age.

(h) The Resources License Plate Fund is hereby abolished and all remaining funds shall be transferred to the California Environmental License Plate Fund effective July 1, 2014.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 35, Sec. 180. (SB 861) Effective June 20, 2014.)

article: 8. Special Plates


citation: VEH § 5030

text: A motorized bicycle, as defined in Section 406, is required to display a special license plate issued by the department.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1070, Sec. 1.)

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5031

text:
An application by a person other than a manufacturer or dealer for a license plate for a motorized bicycle shall include all the following:

(a) The true, full name and the driver’s license or identification card number, if any, of the owner.

(b) A description of the motorized bicycle, including any distinctive marks or features.

(c) Other information as may reasonably be required by the department to determine whether a license plate shall be issued for the motorized bicycle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1221, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1995.)

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5032

text:
(a) The application for a special license plate for a motorized bicycle shall be made before the motorized bicycle is operated or moved upon a highway, except that, upon the retail sale of a motorized bicycle when there is no license plate, the operator may operate the motorized bicycle for a period of five days from and including the date of sale, at which time application shall be made to the department for a special license plate. If the fifth day should fall on Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the application shall be made on the first business day thereafter.

(b) The five-day operating provision set forth in subdivision (a) shall apply only if the operator has in his immediate possession evidence that the motorized bicycle was purchased within the last five days including the date of sale.

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5033

text: Upon proper application and payment of the fees specified in Section 5036, the department shall issue a special license plate and an identification card for the motorized bicycle for which application was made. Applications may be submitted by mail unless the department determines that it is not feasible to complete the identification process by such method.

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5034

text:
(a) The department may issue a special license plate or other suitable device to a manufacturer or dealer of motorized bicycles upon payment of the fee specified in Section 5036. The license plate shall be of a size, color and configuration determined by the department. The form of the application shall also be determined by the department.

(b) A manufacturer or dealer of motorized bicycles may operate or move a motorized bicycle upon the highways during the delivery of, or during the demonstration for the sale of, the motorized bicycle if the motorized bicycle displays thereon a license plate or other suitable device issued to the manufacturer or dealer.

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5035

text:
Each license plate issued under Section 5033 shall bear a distinctive number to identify the motorized bicycle for which it is issued and shall bear a symbol, letter, or word to distinguish license plates issued under this article from license plates issued for motorcycles and motor-driven cycles. The owner, upon being issued a license plate, shall attach it to the motorized bicycle for which it is issued and shall carry the identification card issued by the department as provided in Section 4454. It shall be unlawful for any person to attach or use the license plate upon any other motorized bicycle or vehicle. If the motorized bicycle is destroyed, the owner shall destroy the license plate and shall within 10 days notify the department on a form approved by the department that the motorized bicycle and license plate have been destroyed.

If the ownership of the motorized bicycle is transferred to another person, that person shall submit, within 10 days, proper application as provided in Section 5031. The license plate shall remain with the motorized bicycle.

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5036

text: A service fee of fifteen dollars ($15) shall be paid for the issuance or transfer of a special license plate for motorized bicycles, as defined in Section 406. Publicly-owned motorized bicycles are exempt from the fee.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 719, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2004.)

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5037

text:
(a) No motorized bicycle first sold on or after July 1, 1981, shall be moved or operated upon a highway unless the owner first makes application for a license plate and, when received, attaches it to the motorized bicycle as provided in this article.

(b) Motorized bicycles first sold prior to July 1, 1981, shall not be moved or operated upon a highway after January 1, 1982, unless the owner makes application for a license plate and, when received, attaches it to the motorized bicycle as provided in this article.

(c) Any motorized bicycle currently licensed pursuant to Division 16.7 (commencing with Section 39000) on July 1, 1981, may be operated upon a highway until July 1, 1982.

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5038

text: The department shall establish a record system that provides for identification of stolen motorized bicycles.

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5039

text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no dealer, manufacturer, salesman, or representative of motorized bicycles exclusively is required to be licensed or permitted pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5.

article: 8.1. Motorized Bicycles


citation: VEH § 5050

text: The Legislature finds and declares that constructive leisure pursuits by California citizens is most important. This article is intended to encourage responsible participation in the hobby of collecting, preserving, restoring, and maintaining motor vehicles of historic and special interest, which hobby contributes to the enjoyment of the citizen and the preservation of California’s automotive memorabilia.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 753.)

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 8.3. Historic and Special Interest Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5051

text:
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “Collector” is the owner of one or more vehicles described in Section 5004 or of one or more special interest vehicles, as defined in this article, who collects, purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of the vehicle, or parts thereof, for his or her own use, in order to preserve, restore, and maintain the vehicle for hobby or historical purposes.

(b) “Special interest vehicle” is a vehicle of an age that is unaltered from the manufacturer’s original specifications and, because of its significance, including, but not limited to, an out-of-production vehicle or a model of less than 2,000 sold in California in a model-year, is collected, preserved, restored, or maintained by a hobbyist as a leisure pursuit.

(c) “Parts car” is a motor vehicle that is owned by a collector to furnish parts for restoration or maintenance of a special interest vehicle or a vehicle described in Section 5004, thus enabling a collector to preserve, restore, and maintain a special interest vehicle or a vehicle described in Section 5004.

(d) “Street rod vehicle” is a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, manufactured in, or prior to, 1948 that is individually modified in its body style or design, including through the use of nonoriginal or reproduction components, and may include additional modifications to other components, including, but not limited to, the engine, drivetrain, suspension, and brakes in a manner that does not adversely affect its safe performance as a motor vehicle or render it unlawful for highway use.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 574, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2007.)

article: 8.3. Historic and Special Interest Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5052

text: Except as otherwise provided by local ordinance, a collector may maintain one or more vehicles described in Section 5051, whether currently licensed or unlicensed, or whether operable or inoperable, in outdoor storage on private property, if every such vehicle and outdoor storage area is maintained in such manner as not to constitute a health hazard and is located away from public view, or screened from ordinary public view, by means of a suitable fence, trees, shrubbery, opaque covering, or other appropriate means.