Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 22 of 38

Chapter 21: Special Plates

21.045 California Firefighter License Plates

Chapter 21 Special License Plates

21.045 California Firefighter License Plates (CVC §5101.2)

Firefighter License Plates are available in a sequential series or personalized with two to six characters and may be issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles (two to five characters).

License Plate Eligibility RequirementsOnly regularly employed or retired firefighters and volunteer firefighters or surviving family member of a deceased firefighter may obtain these license plates; they cannot be purchased by the general public. A surviving family member is the spouse (including a domestic partner, excluding a former spouse) and any child (including an adopted child, stepchild, or recognized natural child) of a deceased firefighter (active, retired, or volunteer) The applicant’s principal duties must be, or have been prior to retirement, within the scope of active firefighting and of providing fire prevention service, fire training, hazardous materials abatement, arson investigation, and emergency medical services.

The applicant’s fire department identification (ID), International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), or California Professional Firefighters (CPF) Callback Association membership card must be presented and verified as proof of eligibility.

A photocopy of the Firefighter’s Fire Department ID or CPF Callback Association membership must accompany mail applications or applications for license plates being purchased as a gift. After verification, destroy the photocopy.

Original Personalized License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

  • A completed Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A) form.
  • The applicant’s fire department ID, IAFF membership, or CPF Callback Association membership card as proof of their eligibility.
  • Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
  • The fees due.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

  • A completed REG 17A.
  • The applicant’s fire department ID, IAFF, or CPF Callback Association membership cards as proof of their eligibility.
  • Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
  • The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
  • The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may be exchanged to personalized Firefighter License Plates for a fee.

Renewal/Reassignment—Requires an additional fee for renewal or reassignment.

Retention—Requires an additional fee for retention. The firefighter’s surviving spouse may retain the Firefighter License Plates without setting a time limit to transfer the license plate. A family member may also retain one of the license plates as a family heirloom.

The following must be submitted:

  • A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form stating the relationship to the Firefighter License Plate owner and/or surviving spouse. In the absence of a surviving spouse or where the spouse dies while in possession of the Firefighter License Plate, a member of the deceased firefighter’s family may retain one of the Firefighter License Plates. Family is defined as a spouse, parent, step-parent, child, grandparent, sibling, stepchild, stepgrandparent, and stepsibling. They must state the license plate will not be placed on a vehicle and will be kept as a family heirloom.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plate remains with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.