Vehicles: parking placards and special license plates for disabled veterans and persons with disabilities.

Existing law authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a distinguishing placard to a qualified disabled veteran or person with a disability, upon application, to be displayed upon a parked vehicle for the purpose of identifying eligibility for certain parking privileges. Existing law also authorizes the department to issue a special license plate to a disabled veteran or person with a disability, upon application. Existing law authorizes the department to issue a temporary distinguishing placard bearing a specified symbol to a disabled veteran or person with a disability, as specified. Prior to issuing a placard or license plate, existing law requires the submission of a certificate signed by a physician and surgeon, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant, substantiating the disability, as specified, unless the applicant's disability is readily observable and uncontested. Prior to issuing a temporary distinguishing placard, existing law requires the submission of a certificate substantiating the temporary disability and stating the date upon which the disability is expected to terminate. For the disability of a person who has lost, or has lost use of, one or more lower extremities or one hand, for a disabled veteran, or both hands, for a person with a disability, or who has significant limitation in the use of lower extremities, existing law additionally authorizes a licensed chiropractor to certify these disabilities. This bill, beginning on January 1, 2026, would additionally authorize a licensed physical therapist to certify the loss, or loss of use, of the lower extremities or hands, as described above. The bill, beginning on January 1, 2026, would also authorize a physical therapist to substantiate a temporary disability for the purpose of issuing a temporary distinguishing placard. The bill would make additional conforming changes to those provisions.