Vehicles: disabled person or disabled veteran placard.

(1) Existing law authorizes a disabled person or disabled veteran to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance of a distinguishing placard that may be used in lieu of the special license plate or plates issued for parking in a disabled person's parking space, when the placard is suspended from the rearview mirror or, if there is no rearview mirror, when it is displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle. Existing law exempts a disabled veteran who applies for a special license plate or plates from payment of the fee that would be charged for registration, except for fees for duplicate plates, certificates, or cards. This bill would require the department to advise in writing an applicant for a disabled person's or disabled veteran's placard that he or she may be eligible to apply for a special license plate or plates that are exempt from the payment of the registration fee and license fee. (2) This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 22511.55 of the Vehicle Code proposed by AB 1944, or SB 1318, or both, to be operative only if AB 1944, or SB 1318, or both, and this bill are chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2011, and this bill is chaptered last.