Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 22 of 38

Chapter 21: Special Plates

21.095 Disabled Veteran License Plates and Fees Exemption (VC §§5007 and 9105)

A qualified disabled veteran is exempt from the payment of all fees, except fees for duplicate certificates, license plates, and stickers for one passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial motor vehicle with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less, that is not used for transportation for hire, compensation, or profit that is owned by the disabled veteran and displays Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates. Vehicles assigned DV License Plates expire on 12/31/XX and must be renewed annually.

The fee exemption in VC §9105 can be used for one vehicle only. An individual who qualifies for more than one type of fee-exempt license plate, such as POW or DV License Plate, cannot obtain both.

Certification Card—A disabled veteran must present a Disabled Person or Disabled Veteran License Plate Certification Form (REG 3060), upon request, to law enforcement or parking enforcement personnel, which verifies the person’s eligibility for DV License Plates. The license plate owner must be the driver or a passenger for the vehicle to be eligible for disabled person (DP) parking privileges.

Disabled Veterans With Special Interest License Plates—A qualified disabled veteran who chooses to have special license plates on his/her vehicle rather than DV License Plates must have a DP placard displayed in the vehicle to receive the disabled veteran parking privileges.

Disabled Veterans Who Are Also Purple Heart Recipients—A disabled veteran who is also a Purple Heart recipient may request the DV License Plate fee exemption and issuance of Purple Heart License Plates in lieu of DV License Plates.

In this case, advise the applicant that a DP placard must be displayed in the vehicle to receive the DP parking privileges.

In addition to the requirements for a DV License Plate application, the applicant must provide the proof of eligibility documentation required for the issuance of Purple Heart License Plates, as shown in the Purple Heart License Plates section in this chapter.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The following must be submitted:

  • The current registration card in the applicant’s name or the document required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
  • A letter issued by a USDVA Regional Office specifically for the disabled veteran program stating the veteran’s service-connected disabilities or a USDVA letter certifying that the veteran meets the service-connected qualifications of a disabled veteran, according to the provisions of VC §295.7.
  • A Disabled Veteran Certification front of Miscellaneous Statement of Facts (REG 256A) form completed by the applicant and must include the:
    — License plate number, vehicle identification number, year model, and make of the vehicle.
    — Disabled veteran’s certification (Section A).
    — Disabled veteran’s signature (Section F).
  • A medical certification (reverse of REG 256A) form completed by an authorized medical provider certifying that the veteran meets the qualifications of a disabled veteran, according to the provisions of the VC §295.7. Only one eligibility box on the form needs to be checked.
  • A USDVA certification letter is acceptable in lieu of a medical certification on the back of the REG 256A.

The USDVA certification letter:


  • Must certifying that the veteran meets the service-connected qualifications of a disabled veteran, according to the provisions of the VC §295.7. Only one eligibility box on the form needs to be checked.
  • Does not require the signature of a medical professional.
  • Can be signed by an authorized employee of USDVA.

Continue to accept a letter from the USDVA that certifies the applicant meets the service-connected qualifications of a disabled veteran as described in VC § 295.7 in lieu of the medical certification

The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle or a completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) form requesting fees exemption but not disabled veteran license plates.

Proof of Eligibility Required—The veteran must submit a letter issued by a USDVA Regional Office specifically for the disabled veteran program stating the veteran’s service-connected disabilities or a USDVA letter certifying that the veteran meets the service-connected qualifications of a disabled veteran, according to the provisions of VC §295.7.

Renewal/Reassignment—No additional fee for renewal or reassignment . Retention—Do not require an additional fee for retention.

Surrender of License Plates Required—DV License Plates must be returned to DMV within 60 days of the death of the disabled veteran, or by December 31 of the current registration year, whichever occurs first.

Transfer of Ownership—The DV License Plate remains with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.