Special Recognition License Plates

Congressional Medal of Honor

congressional medal of

These license plates are issued, upon request, to recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The plates are not available for vehicles operated for hire or compensation and do not grant parking privileges. A surviving spouse may retain the plates. For more information about the Congressional Medal of Honor plates including an application, follow this link.

Statutory Authority: Vehicle Code (VC) §§5101.6, 9105

Gold Star Family

Gold Star Plate

These license plates are issued, upon request, to qualified family members whose relative lost their life in the line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.

A Gold Star License Plate (PDF) application is available at your local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO). The CVSO and DMV will require proof of the family relationship and one of the following:

  • Report of Casualty (DD 1300)
  • A letter or telegram from the Federal Government (Department of Defense (DOD), Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, or War Dept).
  • A letter from a Commanding Officer.
  • A Purple Heart Citation that states the recipient was killed in action.
  • Any form of verifiable official notification.

Submit the completed Special License Plates Application (REG 17A) (PDF) form, Project: Gold Star license plate form and one of the documents listed above to:

DMV Special Processing Unit
ATTN: Gold Star Family
P.O. Box 932345 MS D238
Sacramento, CA 94232-3450.

Additional information regarding Project: Gold Star is available on the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) website.

NOTE: The Gold Star Family motorcycle plate is issued with a decal.

Statutory Authority: VC ยง5156(d) (1)

Legion of Valor

legion of valor license plate

Air Force cross tab for legion of valor license plate  air force medal of honor tab for legion of valor plate

Air Force CrossAir Force Medal of Honor

army medal of honor tab for legion of valor license plate distinguished service cross for legion of valor plate

Army Medal of HonorDistinguished Service Cross

navy cross tab for legion of valor license plate navy medal of honor tab for legion of valor license plate

Navy CrossNavy Medal of Honor

These plates are issued, upon request and conclusive evidence, to recipients of the Army Medal of Honor, Navy Medal of Honor, Air Force Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, or Army Distinguished Service Cross.

In addition to the registration month and year stickers, there will be a sticker to the right of the license plate number denoting the decoration of valor held by the recipient. A surviving spouse may retain plates. Not available for motorcycles. For an application, For an application for the Legion of Valor license plates, follow this link.

Statutory Authority: VC §5101.4

Pearl Harbor Survivor

pearl harbor survivor license plate

These plates are Issued, upon request and submission of appropriate substantiating documents, to survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Not available for motorcycles or commercial vehicles used for hire. For more information about the Pearl Harbor Survivor plates and an application, follow this link.

Statutory Authority: VC §5101.3

Ex-Prisoner of War

prisoner of war license plate prisoner of war license plate prisoner of war license plate

prisoner of war license plate prisoner of war license plate prisoner of war motorcycle license plate

These plates have the replica of the Ex-POW Medal followed by the letters POW and four numbers of choice. Issued, upon request and submission of appropriate substantiating documents, to Ex-Prisoners of War. For an application for the Ex-POW plates, follow this link.

Statutory Authority: VC §5101.5

Purple Heart

purple heart license plate purple heart motorcycle license plate

These plates are issued, upon request, to holders of the Purple Heart medal. The medal is awarded to veterans who were wounded in action. These plates must be surrendered to the department upon the death of the Purple Heart recipient or a surviving spouse may retain the plates. Not available for vehicles operated for hire or compensation. For an application for the Purple Heart license plates, follow this link.

Statutory Authority:VC § 5101.8