California Disabled Veterans License Plates

Hello:

As most of you know, California has a disabled veterans handicapped license plate. Naturally enough, this plate lets you park in the handicapped slots. What they don't have, unlike about 29 other states, is a disabled veterans non-handicapped plate.

Well, I decided to change that and, armed with my big mouth, attitude and a computer with a spell check, I wrote up a proposal and submitted it to Assemblyman Pedro Nava. After a year and a half of door pounding and gathering support, my idea was introduced as Assembly Bill 445. What it will do is provide free, and distinctive plates, to those veterans who are 100% disabled (but not handicapped) with a service connectd, permenant and total disability that was acquired while serving in a combat zone. The 100% rating can be either a straight 100% or a combination of disibility and unemployability. Once the bill is passed a move will be made to eliminate the registration fees.

Along with the usual supporters for something like this, I was able to get a few cities, several elected officials, the California Prison Peace Officers Association, PORAC, NAACP and the AFL-CIO, to name a few. Now the lobbyists are out gathering more support so when they have the hearings for this bill, the list of supporters won't be measured by number, but by the pound.

I thought I would pass this on so others could know what's happening on the left coast.

Enjoy
UniMOG Dave
Santa Maria, CA

??? So if you are 100% disabled (service-connected and permanent), but didn't get that way in a "combat zone", you don't rate? Just curious -- don't live in CA anymore.

That about sums it up. What I aimed for was something that would provide a visible way to show honor and respect for those who put it all on the line. I camped at Twentynine Palms USMC (OK camp ground) while I got the city, Sheriff's Assoc. and the ELKs to throw in there support. The SNCO's I spoke to where, to put it mildly, extremely positive about the idea. But, like you, they asked about the CZ requirement out of curiosity. It would have been nice to cover everyone, but it would never have made it this far.

Besides, this opens the door for other positive actions because it will be so visible to the public.

Dave T

Dave
Wish I had your energy. I enjoy reading about folks like you who find an injustice and do something about it. Oohrah and thank you.
Glenn

tN, you're right, your state was one of the ones I refered to when I submitted my idea. As for those who feel I'm doing something special, all I can say is, thank you.

However, the thank you belongs to those states that already have this program. All I've done was to bring it to the attention of those who can make it happen here in CA. The greatest motivator I had came when I was telling some vets what I was doing and why. One man stepped up and said, "Man, you're speaking for all us." Nothing like a little pressure to help the motivation.

Now! If you want to see a compact motorhome that is truly off road capable, let me direct you to:
photos.yahoo.com/vet68tet
Since Agent Orange is starting to give me some problems, I had to sell it.

Dave T

Just a note: I am a California 100% disabled veteran who fought for almost two years to get the DV license place from CA DMV. My question to them was the same as it is to you. If you are 100% disabled, how can it be that you are not handicapped?

It is my argument that the statute is being mis read and mis-applied by DMV. I believe that the intent of the regulation was that "Veterans who are 100% disabled", "Veterans who are 100% Mobility Impaired" (even if not rated at 100%) are both eligible for the DV License Plates and the Regidtration and License Fees exemption.

Fortunately, in March of this year I was successfull in that I received the coveted plates.