Vehicle identification and registration: alternative devices.

Existing law requires a vehicle to display a license plate, issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, with tabs that indicate the month and year the vehicle registration expires. Existing law authorizes the department to conduct a pilot program, until January 1, 2021, if certain conditions are met, to evaluate the use of alternatives to stickers, tabs, license plates, and registration cards. This bill would authorize the use of alternative devices intended to serve in lieu of license plates authorized by the department pursuant to the pilot program, as specified. The bill would require the department to establish a program authorizing an entity to issue alternatives to stickers, tabs, license plates, and registration cards under specified conditions that include, among others, approval of the alternative devices by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. The bill would require an entity seeking approval to issue alternative devices to submit a business plan to the Department of Motor Vehicles, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to adopt regulations to carry out the program, including establishing reasonable fees to reimburse the department for the costs of implementing the program.