21.240 Special License Plate Interchanges

An applicant issued two types of owner-issued special license plates may interchange (or exchange) the license plates between vehicles owned by the applicant.

• Both vehicles must be currently registered and have renewal fees paid.
• Both license plates must be owner-issued license plates that are permitted to be reassigned from one vehicle to another.

License Plate Interchange Requirements for each vehicle—the following must be submitted:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form indicating the license plate reassignment information.
• The reassignment fees based on the types of license plates.

Reassignments—Refer to the Special License Plate Transfers section in this chapter.

21.235 Reassignment of Special License Plates (VC §§5108 and 5109)

A license plate owner may reassign his/her special license plates to any vehicle registered to the license plate owner. Most special license plates cannot be reassigned to another person, except as shown in the Special License Plate Transfers section in this chapter.

Owner-Issued License Plates:
Amateur Radio
Arts Council
Bicentennial Bill of Rights
California Agriculture
(CalAg)
California Firefighters
California Memorial
California Museums
Coastal Commission (Whale Tail)
Commemorative Collegiate (UCLA)
Congressional Medal of Honor
Disabled Person
Disabled Veteran
Environmental
Gold Star Family
Honorary Consul
Kids
Lake Tahoe Conservancy
Legislative (fee paid)
Legion of Valor
Livery
Olympic Games
Olympic Training Center
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Pet Lover’s
Press Photographer
Former Prisoner of War
Purple Heart
Veterans Organizations
Year of Manufacture
Yosemite

License Plate Removal—the following must be submitted:

• An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156 (PDF)) form.
• The fees due to currently register the vehicle. A substitute license plate fee is not due.

License Plate Assignment—the following must be submitted:

• The registration card in the license plate owner’s name or the documents to register the vehicle to the applicant. The vehicle must be currently registered or the renewal fees paid.
• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) or a Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A (PDF)) completed by the applicant showing reassignment of the license plates.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Note When special license plates with specific issuance requirements such as DP, DV, CMOH, or POW License Plates are reassigned or a name is added or deleted from the vehicle ownership, obtain a Statement of Facts (REG 256 (PDF)) form stating the special license plates belong to the registered owner.

Reassignment of 12/31/XX Permanent Expiration Date License Plates (VC §5110)—Legislative (fee-paid and annual exempt) License Plates are assigned a fixed 12/31 annual expiration date. When the license plates are transferred/reassigned, the registration expiration date for the vehicle to which the license plates are assigned must be changed to a 12/31 expiration date.

Reassignment With a Duplicate License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) or a Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A (PDF)) form showing replacement and reassignment of the license plates and whether a sticker must be issued.
• The fees due.

Additional Requirements for Special License Plate Reassignments—In addition to the regular reassignment requirements:

If a Special License Plate Is Reassigned	The Application Must Include
If a Special License Plate Is ReassignedFrom an auto or commercial motor vehicle to a trailer	The Application Must IncludeOne personalized license plate.
If a Special License Plate Is ReassignedFrom a trailer to an auto or commercial motor vehicle	The Application Must IncludeThe Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form which shows reassignment and replacement of one license plate.
If a Special License Plate Is ReassignedTo a leased vehicle	The Application Must IncludeIf the license plate owner is not the lessee on the vehicle record, a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form from the lessor authorizing use of the applicant’s license plate on the vehicle.
If a Special License Plate Is ReassignedTo a motorcycle from an auto, trailer, or commercial motor vehicleFrom a motorcycle to an auto, trailer, or commercial motor vehicle NOTE: A duplicate license plate(s) must be ordered because of the change in the license plate size.	The Application Must IncludeFor the vehicle the special license plates are assigned to: A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form completed for reassignment and replacement of the license plate(s).The current license plates.
If a Special License Plate Is ReassignedFor the vehicle the special license plates are removed from: An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form.The personalized license plates.

21.230 Reassignment of Old License Plates to Collector Vehicles

A previously issued regular series license plate may be reassigned to a collector vehicle provided:

• There is not a database record of the collector license plate.
• The license plate configuration is not on the record as a special interest license plate.
• An original or photocopy of the California Certificate of Title, registration card or renewal notice is presented as proof the license plates were previously assigned to the vehicle.

Important Requests for reassignment of old license plates must not be denied when there is a record of the vehicle license plates being assigned.

Definition of a Collector Vehicle (VC §5051)—A Collector Vehicle is a special interest vehicle of any age, that is unaltered from the manufacturer’s original specifications, which, because of the vehicle’s significance, such as being out-of-production, or a model of which fewer than 2,000 were sold in California in any model year, the vehicle is being collected, preserved, restored, or maintained by a collector or hobbyist for restoration, maintenance, or exhibition. A 25-year old vehicle does not automatically qualify as a collector or historical vehicle.

Definition of a Collector (VC §5051)—A collector is the owner of one or more historical or special interest vehicles who collects, purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of such vehicle(s), or parts thereof, for his or her own use, in order to preserve, restore, and maintain such vehicle(s) for a hobby or historical purposes.

Reassignment of Old License plates—the following must be submitted:

• An original or photocopy of the California Certificate of Title, registration card, or renewal notice is proof the license plates were previously assigned to the vehicle.
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256 (PDF)) stating:
  — The old license plate number to be assigned to the vehicle.
  — The old license plate(s) will not be affixed to the vehicle until DMV sends approval.
  — The license plates currently on the vehicle will be surrendered to DMV if the old license plates are approved.
  — Their daytime telephone number.
• The license plates on the vehicle must not be picked up.
• Any fees due within 75 days of the license plate application date.

Note Due to programming limitations, a license plate that still has a record on the database cannot be reassigned. Therefore, customers returning to California after registering their vehicle out of state cannot have their old California license plate reassigned to their collector vehicle if the old license plate still has a record (unless the license plate is eligible under the Year of Manufacture (YOM) License Plate program) or is the owner’s personalized license plate.

Proof of Old License Plate Exception—If a customer was previously denied reassignment of old license plates due to the vehicle having a database record, and all documents proving the old license plates were once assigned to the vehicle were submitted to DMV with a prior transaction, accept the application.

21.225 Purple Heart License Plates (VC §5101.8)

Purple Heart License Plates may be issued to recipients of the Purple Heart at no fee for any automobile, commercial vehicle, trailer, or motorcycle owned by the recipient which is not operated for hire or compensation.

Recipients of Purple Heart recognition awards may obtain multiple Purple Heart license plates (one set for each vehicle the recipient owns or co-owns). The Purple Heart award recipient is not required to have more than one award to order more than one set of license plates.

Note A Purple Heart recipient who is also a qualified disabled veteran, may request the Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plate fee exemption and issuance of Purple Heart License Plates in lieu of DV License Plates.

In addition to the issuance requirements of the Purple Heart License Plates, the applicant must provide the proof of eligibility documentation required for a disabled veteran as shown in the Disabled Veteran License Plates section in this chapter.

A Disabled Person (DP) Parking Placard must be displayed in the vehicle to receive the DP parking privileges.

The DV License Plate fee exemption may be used for one vehicle only. An applicant who chooses this option cannot have DV License Plates assigned to another vehicle.

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

• A Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A (PDF)) form.
• The current registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• One of the following as proof of the applicant’s eligibility:
  — Orders awarding the Purple Heart to the applicant.
  — A copy of the applicant’s service record or discharge papers showing the Purple Heart award.
  — Certification from a Purple Heart organization.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may not be exchanged to personalized Purple Heart License Plates.

Renewal/Reassignment—No additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment.

Retention of License Plates by Surviving Spouse—Purple Heart License Plates may be retained by the surviving spouse upon the death of the license plate owner (VC §5101.8(d)).

Surviving spouse—the following must be submitted:

• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256 (PDF)) form stating that the spouse of the Purple Heart License Plate owner and wishes to retain the license plates.

Family Heirlooms—A family member (limited to parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandparent, stepgrandparent, sibling, and stepsibling) may keep one Purple Heart License Plate as a family heirloom upon the death of the Purple Heart License Plate owner and surviving spouse, if any.

Family member—the following must be submitted:

• A Statement of Facts (REG 256 (PDF)) stating the relationship to the license plate owner or surviving spouse, the license plate being retained will not be placed on a vehicle, and will be kept as a family heirloom.
• The license plate not being retained or must write on the REG 256 (PDF) the disposition of the license plate, if missing.
• Surrender of License Plates Required—License plates must be surrendered to DMV within 60 days following the death of the Purple Heart License Plate owner or the surviving spouse, as appropriate, or upon the vehicle registration expiration date, whichever occurs first.

21.220 Privately-Owned School Bus (PSB) (VC §9102.5)

A privately-owned school bus (PSB) is a school bus operated under contract or owned/operated by a private, nonprofit educational organization in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Education and California Highway Patrol (CHP) and used exclusively to transport school pupils at or below 12th grade level, and school employees, to and from a public or private school, or school activities. PSB registration expires 12 months from the application date and must be renewed annually.

Note A school bus that transports developmentally disabled persons (as defined by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, Div. 4.5 starting with the California Welfare and Institutions Code §4.500) to or from vocational, prevocational, or work training centers sponsored by the State Department of Developmental Services is not eligible for PSB registration.

Original License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

• A School Bus Registration or Permit Application (REG 123 (PDF)) form signed by an authorized agent of the school, vehicle owner, or vehicle operator, and CHP officer who inspected and approved the vehicle for operation as a PSB.
• The California Certificate of Title or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The PSB fee (a penalty is not collected on this fee).

Renewal:

• A School Bus Registration or Permit Application (REG 123 (PDF)) form signed by an authorized agent of the school, the vehicle owner, or the vehicle operator, and the CHP officer who inspected and approved the vehicle for operation as a PSB.
• The PSB fee (a penalty is not collected on this fee).

PSB to Regular Registration—Failure to obtain operating authority prior to commercial operation subjects the school bus to full-year commercial registration fees from the date of first commercial operation.

The procedures below must be followed:

• The California Certificate of Title or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• If the vehicle is commercial, a:

— Request for Commercial Registration of a Passenger Vehicle (REG 590) form from the applicant.
— Weight certificate unless the unladen weight can be verified from the title or the vehicle is over 10, 001 pounds unladen, then the estimated weight may be accepted on a Statement of Facts (REG 256 (PDF)) form.
— A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form.

• Fees due as follows:

— Full-Year—full registration fee, prorated vehicle license fee (VLF), and prorated weight fee to the expiration date on the current registration card.
— Partial Year Registration (PYR)—full registration fee, prorated VLF to 12/31/XX, weight fee prorated for the number of months requested, and the PYR service fee.

• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.

Regular Registration to PSB—The following must be submitted:

• A School Bus Registration or Permit Application (REG 123 (PDF)) form signed by an authorized agent of the school, vehicle owner, vehicle operator and CHP officer who inspected and approved the vehicle for operation as a PSB.
• The California Certificate of Title or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The PSB fee (a penalty is not collected on this fee).

Temporary Operation for Charter or Other Use—To operate a PSB for charter or other use where the registration fees become due, the operator may secure a temporary registration.

Vehicles Erroneously Registered as PSB—Three prior years of regular registration fees may be due if it is discovered that an organization does not qualify for PSB registration. Credit is allowed for any PSB fee previously paid and penalties are not assessed.

21.215 Press Photographer License Plates

Press Photographer License Plates may be issued to persons regularly employed or engaged as newspaper, newsreel, television photographers, or camera operators. Press Photographer License Plates cannot be issued to a trailer.

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

• A Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A (PDF)) form completed by the applicant and signed by his/her employer.
• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may not be exchanged to personalized Press Photographer License Plates.

Renewal— No additional fee for renewal.

Reassignment— An additional fee is required for reassignment.

Retention—The license plates cannot be retained.

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

21.210 Pet Lovers License Plates (VC §5156)

Pet Lovers License Plates are available in sequential configurations of six characters and in personalized configurations of two to six characters and may be issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles (excluding apportioned vehicles), trailers, and motorcycles.

Original Sequential License Plate Applications—the following must be submitted:

• A completed Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17).
• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• License plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Original or Exchange Personalized License Plate Applications—the following must be submitted:

• A completed REG 17.
• The fees due.

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

Renewal/Reassignment—An additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment.

Retention—An additional fee is required for retention of personalized license plate.

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

21.205 Personalized License Plates Surrendered to DMV

License Plates and Priority Surrendered By the Owner—The procedures below be must followed:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form indicating surrender of the license plates and release of priority.
• The license plates.

Note If an applicant wants regular series license plates in lieu of lost or stolen personalized special license plates, “lost or stolen” must be checked on the REG 17 and a substitute license plate fee is due.

License Plates Surrendered By Someone Other than the Owner—The procedures below be must followed:

• The license plate owner must be mailed a 30-day Environmental Plate Notice (FO 17) and a REG 17 and must be advised that the license plates will be retained in the DMV office for 30 days then destroyed.
• After the 30 days, destroy the license plates, note “license plates destroyed” on (show the date) on a REG 17 to DMV headquarters with the office’s miscellaneous work.

21.200 Personalized License Plates Retention (VC §5109)

A personalized license plate owner may remove and retain his/her license plates without reassigning them to another vehicle provided the license plate retention fee is paid each year (VC §5106(b)).

Retentions—The procedures below be must followed:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form, which shows the personalized license plate configuration and requests of the license plates.
• The retention fee. The fee is due for each year whether or not the license plates are assigned to a vehicle.
  
  

21.195 Personalized License Plate Configuration Exchanges

Any personalized license plate configuration may be exchanged to another special license plate only if the configuration is within the number of characters allowed for the requested plate type.

Exchange Applications:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form.
• The registration card 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.