SB 1034: Vehicles: special license plates.

Existing law defines disabled veteran for purposes of the Vehicle Code as, among other things, a person who, as a result of injury or disease suffered while on active service with the Armed Forces of the United States, has a disability that has been rated at 100% by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Existing law also defines a disabled veteran as a veteran who is unable to move without the aid of an assistant device. Existing law defines a disabled person as a person who has lost, or has lost the use of, one or more lower extremities or both hands, or who has significant limitation in the use of lower extremities, or who has a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility, or who is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistant device, among other conditions.

This bill would instead define a disabled veteran as a veteran who cannot walk without the use of an assistant device. The bill would expand the definition of disabled veteran to include a veteran who cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, a veteran who is severely limited in the ability to walk because of an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, or a veteran who has visual acuity of 20/200 or less, among other conditions, as specified. a person who has a condition that meets the eligibility requirements for a disabled person, as specified above.

Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, upon application and without additional fees, to issue a special license plate or plates to a disabled person, disabled veteran, or an organization or agency involved in the transportation of disabled persons or veterans, as specified, in accordance with procedures adopted by the department. Existing law authorizes a disabled person or disabled veteran to apply to the department for the issuance of a distinguishing placard in lieu of the special license plate or plates for parking purposes, as specified. Existing law authorizes the department to establish procedures for the issuance and renewal of the placards.

This bill would require the department to issue a special license plate or plates to a disabled veteran rated 100% permanent and total if the veteran also qualifies for the placard mentioned above, regardless of whether the qualifying mobility condition is service connected.