California veterans can proudly display their status with veteran license plates which are again available.

A new law brought the California specialty license plates back at the request of veterans who were disappointed when license plates stating “Veteran” – which had been available – were replaced by an “Honoring Veterans” version.

“Honoring Veterans” license plates are still available, so both veteran and nonveteran drivers can honor military service.

Veteran license plates 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 CalVet and 56 county veteran service offices to connect veterans and their families with the benefits and services they have earned through military service.

Veteran plates can be reserved now, but they are not immediately available.

According to the new law, CalVet must collect and hold prepaid veteran license plate applications until 7,500 are received before the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will actually produce the plates.

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 approved in California.

For more information or to reserve your VETERAN license plates, go to http://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/VeteransPlate.aspx to download the application.

You also may call CalVet at 877-741-8532 toll free to request a veteran license plate application be mailed to you. “Honoring Veterans” license plates can be ordered by following that same link.

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.