5301.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code and Part
5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and
Taxation Code, the registered owner or lessee of a fleet of vehicles
consisting of commercial motor vehicles base plated in the state
under Article 4 (commencing with Section 8050) of Chapter 4, or
passenger automobiles may, upon payment of appropriate fees, apply to
the department for license plates, permanent decals, and
registration cards.
   (b) Fleets shall consist of at least 50 motor vehicles to qualify
for this program.  However, the department may provide for permanent
fleet registration through an association providing a combination of
fleets of motor vehicles of 250 or more vehicles with no individual
fleet of fewer than 25 motor vehicles.  An association submitting an
application of participation in the program shall provide within the
overall application a listing identifying the registered owner of
each fleet and the motor vehicles within each fleet.  Identification
of the motor vehicles as provided in this article applies to the
ownership of the motor vehicles and not the association submitting
the application.
   (c) With the concurrence of both the department and the
participant, the changes made in this section by the enactment of the
Commercial Vehicle Registration Act of 2001 shall not affect those
participants who were lawfully participating in the permanent fleet
registration program on December 31, 2001.  Any fleet that qualifies
for permanent fleet registration as of December 31, 2001, will
continue to count trailers to qualify as a fleet until January 1,
2007.  However, five years following the implementation of the
permanent trailer identification program, all participants in the
permanent fleet registration program shall meet the requirements of
this section in order to continue enrollment in the program described
in this section.



5302.  (a) Motor vehicles registered in any state other than
California shall not be permitted to participate in this program.
   (b) Section 4604 does not apply to vehicles registered under this
article.
   (c) The department may conduct an audit of the records of each
fleet owner or lessee of the vehicle fleets electing to participate
in the program.  The department shall be fully reimbursed by the
fleet owner or lessee for the costs of conducting the audits.
   (d) Vehicles registered under this article shall display in a
conspicuous place on both the right and the left side of each motor
vehicle the name, trademark, or logo of the company.  The display of
the name, trademark, or logo shall be in letters in sharp contrast to
the background and shall be of a size, shape, and color that is
readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet.
   (e) A motor vehicle under 6,000 pounds unladen weight that is
owned or leased by a public utility may be registered under this
article by displaying the permanent fleet registration number on both
the right and left side or on the front and rear of the motor
vehicle.  The display shall be in sharp contrast to the background
and shall be of a size, shape, and color that is readily legible
during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet.



5303.  (a) The applicant for initial issuance of permanent
registration or renewal of registration shall file an application in
such form as the department shall require.
   (b) Upon initial application, the department shall issue a
distinguishing license plate or decal which indicates that the
vehicle has been registered under this article.
   (c) Display of the distinguishing license plate or decal and
registration card shall constitute prima facie evidence that the
vehicle is currently registered.



5304.  Renewal fees shall be paid pursuant to a schedule established
by the department.  Submission of renewal fees by an association
pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5301 shall be specific as to
each fleet and vehicle thereof covered by the renewal application.



5305.  In addition to any other fees due for motor vehicles
registered pursuant to this article, the department may charge and
collect a service fee of one dollar ($1) for each fleet motor vehicle
at the time the initial application is submitted to the department
and at the time of registration renewal of each fleet vehicle.




5306.  Upon payment of appropriate fees, the license plate or decal
and registration card issued pursuant to this article for the vehicle
shall remain valid until the provisions of Section 5307 have been
met.


5307.  (a) A fleet vehicle registered under this article may be
deleted from the identified fleet when the fleet operator notifies
the department of the proposed deletion on a form approved by the
department and the distinguishing license plate or decal and
registration card issued for the vehicle are surrendered to the
department.
   (b) Failure to comply with subdivision (a) will require that the
payment of fees due for the registration of the vehicle shall be the
responsibility of the fleet owner as though the vehicle remained part
of the fleet.
   (c) The fees determined to be due and owing under this article
shall be a lien upon all vehicles of the applicant of a type subject
to registration under this code, and the provisions of Article 6
(commencing with Section 9800) of Chapter 6 shall apply.




5308.  The director shall adopt procedures for initial application,
payment of fees, fleet additions or deletions, and for the
cancellation of the distinguishing plates or decals and registration
card issued to a vehicle of a fleet owner or lessee who does not
comply with this article.



5309.  The registration of any identified fleet vehicle is required
annually.