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SB-1034 • 2026

Vehicles: special license plates.

Vehicles: special license plates.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
McNerney
Last action
2026-04-24
Official status
Set for hearing May 4.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on the application process for a distinguishing placard in lieu of a special license plate, so this claim was removed.

Special License Plates for Disabled Veterans

This law changes how disabled veterans are defined and ensures they can get special license plates without extra fees.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the definition of a 'disabled veteran' to include those who cannot walk without an assistant device or who have severe walking limitations due to health conditions, such as arthritis, neurological issues, or orthopedic conditions.
  • Expands the list of disabilities that qualify someone as a disabled veteran, including visual impairments and certain mobility issues.
  • Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue special license plates for disabled veterans rated 100% permanent and total by the VA, even if their disability is not service-connected.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Disabled veterans
  • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Terms To Know

Disabled veteran
A veteran who cannot walk without the use of an assistant device or has severe walking limitations due to health conditions.
Special license plates
License plates given to disabled veterans and other individuals with disabilities, offering certain benefits like parking privileges.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify when the changes will take effect.
  • It is unclear how many additional veterans will qualify for special license plates under these new definitions.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-24 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 4.

  2. 2026-04-21 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  3. 2026-04-14 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.

  4. 2026-04-08 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on M. & V.A. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.

  5. 2026-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 7.

  6. 2026-02-18 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and M. & V.A.

  7. 2026-02-12 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 14.

  8. 2026-02-11 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1034, as amended, McNerney.
Vehicles: special license plates.
Existing law defines “disabled veteran” for purposes of the Vehicle Code as, among other things, a person who, as a result of injury or disease suffered while on active service with the Armed Forces of the United States, has a disability that has been rated at 100% by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Existing law also defines a “disabled veteran” as a veteran who is unable to move without the aid of an assistant device.
Existing law defines a “disabled person” as a person who has lost, or has lost the use of, one or more lower extremities or both hands, or who has significant limitation in the use of lower extremities, or who has a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility, or who is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an
assistant device, among other conditions.
This bill would
instead define a disabled veteran as a veteran who cannot walk without the use of an assistant device. The bill would
expand the definition of “disabled veteran” to include
a veteran who cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, a veteran who is severely limited in the ability to walk because of an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, or a veteran who has visual acuity of 20/200 or less, among
other conditions, as specified.
a person who has a condition that meets the eligibility requirements for a disabled person, as specified above.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, upon application and without additional fees, to issue a special license plate or plates to a disabled person, disabled veteran, or an organization or agency involved in the transportation of disabled persons or veterans, as specified, in accordance with procedures adopted by the department. Existing law authorizes a disabled person or disabled veteran to apply to the department for the issuance of a distinguishing placard in lieu of the special license plate or plates for parking purposes, as specified. Existing law authorizes the department to establish procedures for the issuance and renewal of the placards.
This
bill would require the department to issue a special license plate or plates to a disabled veteran rated 100% permanent and total if the veteran also qualifies for the placard mentioned above, regardless of whether the qualifying mobility condition is service connected.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF