Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, California veterans will have an easier time obtaining disabled veteran license plates or distinguished placards from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
AB 408, also known as the “Frazier Bill,” will allow local DMV offices to accept a certificate of disability from a County Veteran Service Officer or from the California Department of Veteran Affairs, CalVet, in addition to the current methods.
Assemblyman Jim Frazier introduced the bill that Governor Gavin Newsom signed on Sept. 9 in hope of expediting requests for a service he says shouldn’t take “months on end to see results from a system that owes [veterans] a huge debt of gratitude.”
The bill comes at a time when Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System is seeing a higher than usual demand for appointments, possibly due to the ongoing public health crisis.
Eligibility for a DV License Plate in California Until Dec. 31
Currently, in order to qualify for a DV license plate or distinguished placard in California, proof of a permanent disability that occurred during active duty service must be established by a licensed medical professional or the VA.
The Frazier Bill only aims to reduce the wait times for applying for and receiving a DV license plate or distinguished placard, it does not change eligibility requirements.
DV License Plate Benefits for California Veterans
A DV license plate entitles disabled veterans to a host of benefits including the ability to park in parking spots with the International Symbol of Access, next to a blue or green (usually reserved for 15 minutes) curb without restriction, or in areas that require merchant or resident permits for free.
Additionally, a DV license plate allows disabled veterans to park in on-street metered parking for free and provides exemptions for all DMV vehicle fees for one vehicle.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
