(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the department in its discretion may issue a temporary permit to operate a vehicle when a payment of fees has been accepted in an amount to be determined by, and paid to, the department by the owner or other person in lawful possession of the vehicle, for a vehicle for which registration may be refused pursuant to Section 4000.17. The permit shall be subject to the terms and conditions that the department shall deem appropriate under the circumstances.

(b) The department shall not issue a temporary permit pursuant to subdivision (a) to operate a vehicle for which a certificate of compliance is required pursuant to Section 4000.17, and for which that certificate of compliance has not been issued, unless the department is presented with sufficient evidence, as determined by the department, that the vehicle has failed its most recent inspection pursuant to the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program (Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 44150) of Part 5 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code).

(c) Only one temporary permit may be issued pursuant to this section for any vehicle, unless otherwise approved by the State Air Resources Board.

(d) A temporary permit issued pursuant to this section is valid for either 60 days after the expiration of the registration of the vehicle or 60 days after the date that vehicle is removed from nonoperation, whichever is applicable at the time the temporary permit is issued.

(e) (1) A fee of fifty dollars ($50) shall be paid for a temporary permit issued pursuant to this section.

(2) The fee authorized pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be adjusted annually based on the California Consumer Price Index as compiled and reported by the Department of Industrial Relations.

(3) After deducting its administrative costs, the department shall deposit fees collected pursuant to paragraph (1) in the Truck Emission Check (TEC) Fund created pursuant to Section 44154 of the Health and Safety Code, to be used for regulatory activities under the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program (Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 44150) of Part 5 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code).

(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 298, Sec. 4. (SB 210) Effective January 1, 2020.)