PEACE OFFICERS WITH DISABILITIES.

(a) In this section, "peace officer" means an individual described by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(b) A person entitled to specialty license plates under this section may register, for the person's own use, one vehicle without payment of any fee paid for or at the time of registration except the fee for the license plates. Registration under this section is valid for one year.

(c) A peace officer is entitled to register, for the person's own use, motor vehicles under this section if:

(1) the person is disabled as a result of an injury suffered during the course and scope of the person's employment as a peace officer; and

(2) the motor vehicle:

(A) is owned by the person; and

(B) has a gross vehicle weight of 18,000 pounds or less or is a motor home.

(d) A person described by Subsection (c) who is eligible to receive license plates under Section 504.201 may elect to receive license plates under this section that include the symbol described by Section 504.201(f). The initial application for license plates under this subsection must be accompanied by:

(1) the written statement required by Section 504.201(d) certifying that the applicant has a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to ambulate;

(2) a written statement completed by the chief law enforcement officer of the law enforcement agency that employed the person, certifying that the person is disabled as a result of an injury suffered during the course and scope of the person's employment as a peace officer; and

(3) any other information required for an application under this section.

(e) Other than license plates issued under Subsection (h), license plates issued under this section must include:

(1) the letters "DPO" on the plate if the plate is issued for a vehicle other than a motorcycle; and

(2) the words "Disabled Peace Officer" at the bottom of each license plate.

(f) The fee for the first set of license plates is $3. There is no fee for each additional set of license plates.

(g) A person who receives license plates under Subsection (d) may receive a disabled parking placard under Section 681.004 for each set of license plates.

(h) A person entitled to license plates under this section may elect to receive license plates issued under Chapter 502 under the same conditions for the issuance of license plates under this section.

(i) A license plate with the letters "DPO" may be personalized with up to four characters.

(j) A person entitled to license plates under this section may instead use, for a vehicle that meets the requirements of Section 504.501 or 504.502, disabled peace officer license plates issued by this state that:

(1) are embossed with an alphanumeric pattern;

(2) are of a plate design that was issued in the same year as the model year of the vehicle;

(3) are approved for use by the department; and

(4) include the symbol described by Section 504.201(f), if the person satisfies the requirements for the issuance of license plates under Subsection (d) and elects to include the symbol on the plates.

(k) A reference in law to license plates issued under Subsection (d) includes disabled peace officer license plates described by Subsection (j)(4).