5100. The purpose of this article is to provide revenue for the
California Environmental License Plate Fund.
5101. Any person who is the registered owner or lessee of a
passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or
semitrailer registered or certificated with the department, or who
makes application for an original registration or renewal
registration of that vehicle, may, upon payment of the fee prescribed
in Section 5106 and those fees required by Sections 5022 to 5024,
inclusive, apply to the department for environmental license plates,
in the manner prescribed in Section 5105, which plates shall be
affixed to the passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle,
motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer for which registration is sought
in lieu of the regular license plates.
5101.2. (a) Any person otherwise eligible under this article who is
a firefighter or a retired firefighter may apply for special license
plates for a vehicle under this article. Any license plates issued
pursuant to this section shall be issued in accordance with Section
5060.
(b) The applicant, by satisfactory proof, shall show all of the
following:
(1) The applicant is, or has retired, in good standing as an
officer, an employee, or a member of a fire department or a fire
service of the state, a county, a city, a district, or any other
political subdivision of the state, whether in a volunteer, partly
paid, or fully paid status.
(2) The applicant is, or was until retirement, regularly employed
as a firefighter or regularly enrolled as a volunteer firefighter.
(3) The applicant's principal duties fall, or fell until
retirement, within the scope of active firefighting and any of the
following activities:
(A) Fire prevention service.
(B) Fire training.
(C) Hazardous materials abatement.
(D) Arson investigation.
(E) Emergency medical services.
(c) The special license plates issued under this section shall
contain the words "California Firefighter" and shall run in a regular
numerical series.
(d) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration,
a renewal of registration, or a transfer of registration, the
following special license plate fees shall be paid:
(1) A fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) for the initial issuance of
the special license plates. These special license plates shall be
permanent and shall not be required to be replaced.
(2) A fee of twenty dollars ($20) for each renewal of registration
that includes the continued display of the special license plates.
(3) If the special license plates become damaged or unserviceable,
a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) for the replacement of the
special license plates, obtained from the department upon proper
application therefor.
(4) A fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for the transfer of the special
license plates to another vehicle qualifying as a vehicle owned by a
firefighter who has met the requirements set forth in subdivision
(b).
(5) In addition, for the issuance of environmental license plates,
as defined in Section 5103, with the special firefighter personal
vehicle license plates and distinctive design or decal, the
additional fees prescribed in Sections 5106 and 5108. The additional
fees collected pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in the
California Environmental License Plate Fund.
(e) Upon the death of a person issued special license plates
pursuant to this section, the plates shall be transferred to the
surviving spouse, if he or she requests, or shall be returned to the
department within 60 days after the death of the plateholder or upon
the expiration of the vehicle registration, whichever occurs first.
(f) Prior to January 1, 2006, except as provided in paragraph (5)
of subdivision (d), the revenues 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 California
Firefighters' Memorial Fund established by Section 18802 of the
Revenue and Taxation Code.
(g) On and after January 1, 2006, except as provided in paragraph
(5) of subdivision (d), the revenues derived from the additional
special fees provided in this section, less costs incurred by the
department under this section, shall be deposited in the California
Fire and Arson Training Fund established under Section 13159.10 of
the Health and Safety Code.
5101.3. (a) Any person otherwise eligible under this article who
qualifies under subdivision (b) may apply for special license plates
that shall run in a separate numerical series and shall contain the
words "Pearl Harbor Survivor." The plates may be issued for any
vehicle, except a vehicle used for transportation for hire,
compensation, or profit, or a motorcycle, which is owned or coowned
by the person.
(b) To qualify for issuance of the special plates, the applicant
by satisfactory proof shall show all of the following:
(1) The applicant was a member of the United States Armed Forces
on December 7, 1941, and received an honorable discharge from
military service.
(2) The applicant was on station at Pearl Harbor, the Island of
Oahu, or offshore within a distance of three miles, on December 7,
1941, during the hours of 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Hawaii time, as
certified by a California chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors
Association.
(c) Upon the death of a person issued special license plates
pursuant to this section, his or her surviving spouse may retain the
special license plates subject to the conditions set forth in this
section. Upon the death of the spouse, the retained special license
plates shall be returned to the department either (1) within 60 days
following that death or (2) upon the expiration of the vehicle
registration, whichever occurs first.
(d) Sections 5106 and 5108 do not apply to this section.
5101.4. (a) Any person otherwise eligible under this article who is
a recipient of the Army Medal of Honor, Navy Medal of Honor, Air
Force Medal of Honor, Army Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross,
or Air Force Cross may apply for special license plates for the
vehicle under this article.
(b) The applicant, by conclusive evidence, shall show that the
applicant is a recipient of one of the nation's highest decorations
for valor, as specified in subdivision (a).
(c) The special license plates issued under this section shall
contain the words "Legion of Valor" and shall run in a regular
numerical series. An adhesive sticker denoting which of the nation's
highest decorations for valor, as specified in subdivision (a), is
held by the applicant shall be affixed in a recess provided for it on
the license plates.
(d) Upon the death of a person issued special license plates
pursuant to this section, his or her surviving spouse may retain the
special license plates subject to the conditions set forth in this
section. Upon the death of the spouse, the retained special license
plates shall be returned to the department either (1) within 60 days
following that death or (2) upon the expiration of the vehicle
registration, whichever occurs first.
(e) Sections 5106 and 5108 do not apply to this section.
5101.5. (a) Any person otherwise eligible under this article who is
a former American prisoner of war may apply for special license
plates for the vehicle under this article. The special plates
assigned to the vehicle shall run in a separate numerical series and
contain a replica design of the American Prisoner of War Medal
followed by the letters "POW" and four numbers. The special license
plates issued under this subdivision also shall contain the following
words: "Ex-Prisoner of War." The department shall, pursuant to this
article, reserve and issue the license plates provided for by this
section only to persons who show by satisfactory proof his or her
former prisoner of war status. Any person otherwise issued license
plates within this series pursuant to this article prior to January
1, 1982, may retain them.
(b) Special license plates may be issued pursuant to subdivision
(a) only for a vehicle owned or coowned by a former American prisoner
of war.
(c) Upon the death of a person issued special license plates
pursuant to this section, his or her surviving spouse may retain the
special license plates subject to the conditions set forth in this
section. Upon the death of the spouse, the retained special license
plates shall be returned to the department either (1) within 60 days
following that death or (2) upon the expiration of the vehicle
registration, whichever occurs first.
(d) Any vehicle exempted from fees by Section 9105 and by Section
10783 of the Revenue and Taxation Code shall lose the exemption upon
the death of the former American prisoner of war.
(e) Sections 5106 and 5108 do not apply to this section.
(f) The department shall recall all former prisoner-of-war license
plates issued pursuant to this section prior to January 1, 1999, and
shall issue to the holder of those plates, without charge, the
revised plates authorized by this section.
(g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 1999.
5101.6. (a) Any person otherwise eligible under this article who is
a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient may apply for special
license plates for the vehicle under this article. The special
license plates assigned to the vehicle shall run in a separate
numerical series and shall have inscribed on the license plate the
words "Congressional Medal of Honor" or "Medal of Honor." The
department shall reserve and issue the special license plates to all
applicants providing the proof required by subdivision (b).
(b) The applicant shall, by satisfactory proof, show that the
applicant is a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
(c) Special license plates may be issued pursuant to subdivision
(a) only for a vehicle owned or co-owned by a Congressional Medal of
Honor recipient.
(d) Upon the death of a person issued special license plates
pursuant to this section, his or her surviving spouse may retain the
special license plates subject to the conditions set forth in this
section. Upon the death of the spouse , the retained, special
license plates shall be returned to the department either (1) within
60 days following that death or (2) upon the expiration of the
vehicle registration, whichever occurs first.
(e) Any vehicle exempted from fees by Section 9105 and by Section
10783 of the Revenue and Taxation Code shall lose the exemption upon
the death of the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
(f) Sections 5106 and 5108 do not apply to this section.
5101.7. (a) Until December 31, 1984, any 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, obtain duplicate replacements for them, or
transfer them to another vehicle, subject to this article.
(b) Except as provided in this section, the issue, renewal,
cancellation, retention, and transfer of the commemorative 1984
Olympic reflectorized license plates shall be subject to the
provisions of this article as if they were environmental license
plates. 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. On and
after January 1, 1990, duplicate or replacement plates shall be
provided pursuant to this article.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 5106, in addition
to the regular registration fee, the applicant shall be charged a fee
of one hundred dollars ($100) for a set of commemorative 1984
Olympic reflectorized license plates described in subdivision (d).
(d) Notwithstanding the color, design, and number of digit
requirements of Section 5102, the department shall design the
commemorative 1984 Olympic reflectorized license plates, which shall
be reflectorized license plates issued pursuant to Section 4850. The
commemorative 1984 Olympic reflectorized license plates shall be of
a distinctive design, as determined by the department after
consultation with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, and
shall be available, upon request in the application, in an indicated
combination of letters or numbers, or both, and as requested as a
registration number.
5101.8. (a) Any person otherwise eligible under this article who is
a Purple Heart recipient may apply for special license plates for
vehicles that are not used for transportation for hire, compensation,
or profit, under this article. The special plates assigned to the
vehicle shall run in a separate numerical series, shall have
inscribed on the plate the Purple Heart insignia, and shall contain
the words "Combat Wounded" and "Purple Heart" or at least the letters
"PH" as part of the numerical series. The department shall reserve
and issue the special plates to all applicants providing the proof
required by subdivision (b).
(b) The applicant, by satisfactory proof, shall show that the
applicant is a Purple Heart recipient.
(c) Special plates may be issued pursuant to subdivision (a) only
for a vehicle owned or coowned by a Purple Heart recipient and may
not be transferred to any other person, including the coowner of the
vehicle. The special plates shall be surrendered to the department
upon the death of the Purple Heart recipient.
(d) When an applicant for the Purple Heart license plate qualifies
as a disabled veteran, as specified in subdivision (b) of Section
22511.55, the applicant may also apply for a distinguishing placard
described in subdivision (a) of Section 22511.55 to be used in
conjunction with the Purple Heart license plate for the purpose of
allowing special parking privileges pursuant to subdivision (a) of
Section 22511.5.
(e) Sections 5106 and 5108 do not apply to this section.
5101.9. (a) Until December 31, 1991, any person described in
Section 5101 may apply for a set of commemorative Bicentennial of the
Bill of Rights reflectorized license plates and the department shall
issue those special license plates in lieu of regular license
plates. No commemorative Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights
reflectorized license plates shall be issued pursuant to an
application submitted on or after January 1, 1992, but the holder of
those plates may thereafter renew or retain them, obtain substitute
replacements for them, or transfer them to another vehicle, subject
to this section. However, substitute replacement plates shall not be
available on or after January 1, 1997. Thereafter, unless otherwise
provided by law, regular series plates shall be issued for the fee
provided in Section 9265 whenever substitute plates are required.
(b) The commemorative Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights
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.
(c) In addition to the regular fees for an original or renewal
registration, the applicant shall be charged a fee of thirty-five
dollars ($35).
(d) Notwithstanding Section 9265, the applicant for substitute
commemorative Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights reflectorized
license plates shall be charged a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35).
(e) Whenever any person who has been issued commemorative
Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights reflectorized license plates
applies to the department for transfer of the plates to another
vehicle, a transfer fee of fifteen dollars ($15) shall be charged in
addition to all other appropriate fees.
(f) Sections 5106 and 5108 do not apply.
5102. The environmental license plates shall be the same color and
design as regular passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, motorcycle,
or trailer license plates, and shall consist of any combination of
numbers or letters, not exceeding seven positions and not less than
two positions, if there are no conflicts with existing passenger,
commercial, trailer, motorcycle, or special license plates series or
with Section 4851.
5103. "Environmental license plates," as used in this article,
means license plates or permanent trailer identification plates that
have displayed upon them the registration number assigned to the
passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or
semitrailer for which a registration number was issued in a
combination of letters or numbers, or both, requested by the owner or
lessee of the vehicle.
5104. Environmental license plates shall be issued only to the
registered owner or lessee of the vehicle on which they are to be
displayed.
5105. (a) An applicant for issuance of environmental license plates
or renewal of such plates in the subsequent year pursuant to this
article shall file an application therefor in such form and by such
date as the department may require, indicating thereon the
combination of letters or numbers, or both, requested as a
registration number. There shall be no duplication of registration
numbers, and the department may refuse to issue any combination of
letters or numbers, or both, that may carry connotations offensive to
good taste and decency or which would be misleading or a duplication
of license plates provided for in Article 8 (commencing with Section
5000) of Chapter 1 of Division 3.
(b) The department may cancel and order the return of any
environmental license plate heretofore or hereafter issued,
containing any combination of letters, or numbers, or both, which the
department determines carries connotations offensive to good taste
and decency or which would be misleading. Whenever the department
orders any person to return any such environmental license plate
containing any combination of letters or numbers, or both, which the
department determines carries connotations offensive to good taste
and decency or which would be misleading, the person so ordered may,
in writing and within 10 days after receiving the order, demand a
hearing, which shall be granted. The provisions of Chapter 5
(commencing with Section 11500), Part 1, Division 3, Title 2 of the
Government Code, shall apply to hearings provided for in this
subdivision. Any person ordered to return such plates shall either
be reimbursed for any additional fees he paid for the plates pursuant
to Section 5106 or 5108 for the registration year in which they are
recalled, or be given, at no additional cost therefor, replacement
environmental license plates, the issuance of which is in compliance
with this code.
(c) The department may cancel and order the return of any
environmental license plate, without opportunity to be heard, as
specified in subdivision (b) of this section, if the license plate
issued is a duplication of license plates provided for in Article 8
(commencing with Section 5000) of Chapter 1 of Division 3 or if the
fee specified under subdivision (c) of Section 5106 has not been
paid.
5105.5. (a) If an applicant for an environmental license plate so
requests, the department shall furnish, with any environmental
license plates issued under this article, a third license plate for
display upon payment of the extra fee pursuant to Section 5106.5.
The third license plate shall be clearly and unalterably marked as a
display license plate.
(b) The department shall advise any applicant for environmental
license plates or renewal of environmental license plates of the
availability and fee for the third license plate. It is the intent
of the Legislature in enacting this section that the department
commence advising applicants pursuant to this subdivision as soon as
practicable after January 1, 1988.
(c) The third license plate shall be produced and marketed by the
State of California.
(d) The display license plate furnished under this section shall
not be affixed to any vehicle. The department shall provide an
applicant for a display license a statement that affixing the display
license plate to any vehicle is a misdemeanor.
(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
1992, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, which is enacted before January 1, 1992, deletes or extends
that date.
5106. (a) Except as provided in Section 5101.7, in addition to the
regular registration fee or a permanent trailer identification fee,
the applicant shall be charged a fee of forty dollars ($40).
(b) In addition to the regular renewal fee or a permanent trailer
identification fee for the vehicle to which the plates are assigned,
the applicant for a renewal of the plates shall be charged an
additional fee of twenty-five dollars ($25). An applicant with a
permanent trailer identification plate shall be charged an annual fee
of twenty-five dollars ($25). However, applicants for renewal of
prisoner-of-war special license plates issued under Section 5101.5
shall not be charged the additional renewal fee under this
subdivision.
(c) When payment of renewal fees is not required as specified in
Section 4000, the holder of any environmental license plate may
retain the plate upon payment of an annual fee of twenty-five dollars
($25). The fee shall be due at the expiration of the registration
year of the vehicle to which the environmental license plate was last
assigned. However, applicants for retention of prisoner-of-war
special license plates issued under Section 5101.5 shall not be
charged the additional retention fee under this subdivision.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 9265, the applicant for a duplicate
environmental license plate or a duplicate, replacement commemorative
1984 Olympic reflectorized license plate shall be charged a fee of
thirty dollars ($30).
5106.5. (a) If an applicant requests a third license plate for
display, the applicant shall be charged, in addition to the regular
registration fee and the fee prescribed in Section 5106, a fee of
thirty-five dollars ($35). The fee charged for the third license
plate for display shall increase in direct proportion with any
increase in the fee prescribed in Section 5106.
(b) From the revenues collected pursuant to subdivision (a) and
deposited pursuant to Section 5107 in the California Environmental
License Plate Fund, the Controller shall transfer to the Motor
Vehicle Account in the State Transportation Fund the amount
certified by the director to be necessary to provide reimbursement to
the department for its administrative costs relating to the issuance
of the third, display, environmental license plate.
(c) On or before January 1, 1991, the department shall submit to
the Governor and the Legislature a report on measures taken to
advertise the third license plates for display, the number of these
license plates annually produced, fees collected therefor, and other
matters and recommendations as the department may provide.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
1992, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, which is enacted before January 1, 1992, deletes or extends
that date.
5107. (a) All revenue derived from the fees provided for in this
article shall be deposited in the California Environmental License
Plate Fund.
(b) Not more than fifty cents ($0.50) of the amount collected from
each applicant pursuant to Section 5106 on and after January 1,
1999, shall be set aside for use, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, by the appropriate agency for the purpose of increasing
public awareness of the environmental license plate program.
5108. Whenever any person who has been issued environmental license
plates applies to the department for transfer of the plates to
another passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, trailer, or
semitrailer a transfer fee of twenty dollars ($20) shall be charged
in addition to all other appropriate fees.
5109. When any person who has been issued environmental license
plates sells, trades, or otherwise releases ownership of the vehicle
upon which the environmental license plates have been displayed, such
person shall immediately report the transfer of such plates to an
acquired passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, or trailer pursuant
to Section 5108, unless such person determines to retain the plates
pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 5106.
5110. (a) The director may adopt rules and regulations as necessary
to carry out the purposes of this article.
(b) Whenever two or more separate series of special plates are
authorized under this article in a period of one year, the director
shall coordinate the administrative and technical procedures for
preparation and issuance of the plates in order to control costs to
the maximum extent.
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