(a) The license fee imposed by this part does not apply to a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle, or a commercial vehicle of less than 8,001 pounds unladen weight, unless the vehicle is used for transportation for hire, compensation, or profit, if the vehicle is owned by either of the following:

(1) The surviving spouse of a former American prisoner of war who has elected under subdivision (c) of § 5101.5 of the Vehicle Code to retain the special license plates.

(2) The surviving spouse of a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who has elected under subdivision (d) of § 5101.6 of the Vehicle Code to retain the special license plates.

(b) The exemption granted by subdivision (a) does not extend to more than one vehicle owned by the surviving spouse, and is applicable to the same vehicle as described in subdivision (b) of § 9105 of the Vehicle Code.

(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 382, Sec. 5. (AB 2509) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. See later operative version amended by Sec. 206 of Stats. 2023, Ch. 131.)