DMV Now Offers Veteran’s Plates Online

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DMV Now Offers Veteran’s Plates Online

SACRAMENTO – The State of California’s specialized veteran’s license plates are now available for purchase online. Previously, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in conjunction with the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) has offered these specialized license plates through in person and mail-in sales only. This new online system of purchasing will make it easier for all California motorists to show their support for veterans and the men and women serving in our military.
“These plates are available for any motorist to buy. The more plates purchased the more our state is able to help veterans,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary. “Every plate purchased basically covers the cost of filing a claim for a veteran, so that he or she can get the benefits they have earned.”

“We are pleased to now offer the sale of veteran’s plates online to our customers,” said George Valverde, Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles. “These plates reflect the rich and storied history of the contributions of California Veterans to our state.”

These plates have several models that help honor and recognize specific veteran groups, military units and services. In addition to these plates, over 200 insignias are available to put on these plates to help signify which organizations or military affiliations each motorist represents. To view all available logos for your cars, motorcycles and trucks, go to http://www.cacvso.org/page/2011-1-19-59 ... ate-logos/.

The cost for sequential plate is $30 and $10 more for personalized plates. With online sales CalVet expects the annual sales of these plates to rise. All proceeds from the sale of veteran’s plates are used to expand veteran’s service in your community.

Since the inception of the Veterans plate program in 1995, approximately 24,500 Veteran plates have been issued with $6.8 million raised and distributed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs to benefit participating county veteran service offices and to commemorate veteran organizations.

To purchase your plate or to learn more visit http://dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/welcome.do?localeName=en

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CA Vet License Plates ► Sales Low | Production Uncertain

California veterans were quick to voice their disappointment when the state’s VETERAN license plate was replaced by an HONORING VETERANS version that appealed to family and friends of veterans. A bill, sponsored by the County Veterans Service Officers and the California State Commanders Veterans Council and signed by the Governor authorized the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to recreate the specialty plate. The law requires CalVet to collect and hold pre-paid VETERAN license plate applications until 7,500 are received before DMV will actually produce the plate. CalVet has until the end of this year to accomplish that task. Once that threshold is crossed, DMV will produce the plates and take responsibility for processing future applications. That same “hold and wait” process applies to all new specialty license plates in California. As of June 30, CalVet had received fewer than 200 of the 7,500 hundred applications needed by year’s end for plate to be produced. Unless sales skyrocket in the next six months and the threshold number is reached, the VETERAN plates will not be produced, and the money sent to CalVet to reserve plates will be refunded to those who paid. HONORING VETERANS plates will still be available.

Both VETERAN and HONORING VETERANS plates can be personalized and can be customized with the distinctive military branch or veterans service organization logo of choice. Proceeds from the sale of these plates help support efforts of the California Department of Veterans Affairs and 56 county veteran service offices to connect veterans and their families with the benefits they’ve earned through military service. The veteran license plate program is a partnership between the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the California Association of County Veterans Services Officers, Inc. To purchase either of the two specialty plates, go to http://www.calvet.ca.gov/ VetServices/Pages/License-Plates. aspx . You may also call CalVet at (877) 741-8532 (toll free) to request that a specialty license plate application be mailed to you. [Source: CALVET Newsletter Jul 2014 ++]

Joe Wright
Kings County Public Guardian
Veterans Service Officer
(559)852-2659
joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us