Requires creation of license plates that allow disabled veterans to park in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 4 co-sponsors

NJ grants specially designated "Disabled Veteran" license plates (no placard needed) allowing qualified disabled veterans to park in disabled spaces.

Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading

Summary of Bill A 2380 (NJ, 222nd Session)

Purpose and intent

Require the creation and issuance of specially designated license plates for qualified disabled veterans.

Allow disabled veterans to park in parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities, provided they display the plate on the vehicle.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions

“Disabled veteran” = a New Jersey resident certified by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs as having any degree of service-connected disability.

License plates

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator must issue a qualified disabled veteran license plate for any motor vehicle owned, leased, and registered in the state by a disabled veteran.
Plate design and markings: must display the words “Disabled Veteran” and a wheelchair symbol, in addition to standard plate elements.
Compliance: issuance follows existing plate issuance provisions (Chapter 3 of Title 39, Revised Statutes) with any specific adjustments in the bill.
Application and cost: applicants apply to the MVC in the prescribed form; there is no cost for these plates.
Non-transferability: plates are not transferable and are exclusively for the issued individual.
Notice and outreach: the MVC must notify motorists about plate availability via registration renewal notices and posters/signs in MVC facilities.

Parking privileges

A vehicle displaying a qualified disabled veteran plate may park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
The veteran is exempt from needing a separate disability placard or identification card to use designated spaces, as long as the vehicle displays the qualified disabled veteran plate.
Misuse: knowingly abusing the benefits can lead to revocation of all benefits and forfeiture of the plate.

Effective date and implementation

The act takes effect on the first day of the sixth month after enactment.
The MVC Chief Administrator can undertake anticipatory actions to implement the act timely.

Who is affected

Disabled veterans residing in New Jersey who have a service-connected disability certified by the VA.

Vehicles owned or leased and registered in New Jersey by qualified disabled veterans.

DMV/MVC operations and communications, including plate production, issuance, and public notice.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introductions and referrals:

Introduced January 13, 2026; referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.
Reported out of Assembly committee with amendments and referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 7, 2026.

Effective date: six months after enactment, with authority for anticipatory action by the MVC to implement sooner.

Practical impact and considerations

Benefits: simplifies parking rights for disabled veterans by allowing use of the new plate alone (no need for separate placards), potentially reducing the procedural burden for qualifying individuals.

Compliance and enforcement: clear prohibition on misuse and a mechanism for revocation of benefits if abused.

Implementation considerations: cost is stated as zero for applicants, but there may be costs related to production, distribution, and signage for MVC to manage the new plates and notices.