Veteran and Military License Plates in California: How to Apply

Quick answer: To get a California veteran license plate, choose the plate category that matches your eligibility. The Honoring Veterans plate is open to any California motorist and uses REG 17. Military recognition plates require qualifying service, an award, or family status and use REG 17A. Disabled Veteran plates require a qualifying service-connected disability and REG 256V. Only Disabled Veteran plates provide disabled-parking privileges on their own.

Those plate labels aren't interchangeable. The term California veteran license plate can refer to several programs, but their forms, proof, fees, and benefits differ. DMV handles new applications and eligibility decisions. We can assist only with eligible replacement plate, registration sticker, or registration card requests after a plate has been issued.

Which California veteran license plate should you choose?

Choose the Honoring Veterans plate to show support, a recognition plate if you hold the required military distinction or family status, or a Disabled Veteran plate if you meet California's service-connected disability rules. On its Choosing Your License Plate page, DMV lists the available veteran and military options.

How to apply for an Honoring Veterans license plate

The Honoring Veterans plate is the simplest option because you don't have to be a veteran. California DMV calls it a Veterans' Organization plate, while CalVet uses the name Honoring Veterans.

• Confirm the vehicle is eligible. The plate can be issued for an automobile, commercial vehicle, trailer, or motorcycle registered in California. A personalized plate must be assigned to a currently registered vehicle that isn't on Planned Nonoperation.
• Choose sequential or personalized. A sequential plate receives the next available number. A personalized auto, commercial, or trailer plate allows two to six characters; a motorcycle plate allows two to five.
• Choose a decal. Review CalVet's License Plate Logos for Cars and Trucks or License Plate Logos for Motorcycles, then enter the decal's organization code on the application.
• Submit the application. Original sequential and personalized orders can be placed through DMV's Special Interest and Personalized License Plates Orders page. Complete the Special Interest or Environmental License Plate Application (REG 17) for a mailed request or a gift, renewal, retention, replacement, conversion, or transfer transaction.
• Pay the correct fee. The original fee is $50 for a sequential plate or $78 for a personalized plate. Both carry a $40 annual renewal fee in addition to the vehicle's regular registration charges.
• Wait for the new plates. DMV mails original online orders to the address on file. Keep the current plates installed until DMV directs you to exchange or surrender them.

How to apply for a military recognition plate

A California veteran license plate tied to an award, POW status, Pearl Harbor service, or Gold Star eligibility requires documentary proof. Complete the Special Recognition License Plate Application (REG 17A) and attach the documents for the selected plate.

On DMV's Gold Star Family License Plates page, qualified relatives include a widow or widower; biological parent, adoptive parent, stepparent, or foster parent in loco parentis; biological child or stepchild; sibling or half sibling; grandparent; or grandchild. The service member's death must meet DMV's rules for wartime, a recognized international terrorist attack, military operations outside the United States, or an authorized U.N. peacekeeping operation.

To submit a complete application:

• Enter the plate holder and currently registered California vehicle information on REG 17A.
• Select the correct plate and complete the not-for-hire declaration when the form requires it.
• Attach copies of the required eligibility documents. Gold Star applicants should obtain VSD 5 1918 through CalVet or a local County Veterans Service Office.
• Follow DMV's instructions for registration documents, fees, and exchanging the vehicle's current plates. Keep copies of the entire packet.
• Mail the application to: DMV SPU, Mail Station D238, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450

DMV's Forms page states that recognition plates requiring proof can't be ordered online. Submit the complete REG 17A packet by mail.

How to apply for Disabled Veteran license plates

This California veteran license plate is limited to veterans whose permanent disability resulted from an injury or disease suffered during active U.S. military service. The disability must meet at least one DMV condition:

• A 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the discharging military service for a diagnosed disease or disorder that substantially impairs mobility
• Inability to move without an assistive device
• Loss or loss of use of one or more limbs
• Permanent blindness under California's definition

To apply:

• Complete the Certification for Disabled Veterans License Plates (REG 256V). Use the current REG 256V, not the older REG 256A cited on some third-party pages.
• Obtain the required certification. A qualified medical professional may complete the medical section, or a County Veterans Service Officer, authorized CalVet representative, or authorized U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs representative may certify eligibility.
• Include proof of your true full name and date of birth, your current registration card or documents needed to register the vehicle in your name, and the plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• Take the packet to a DMV office or mail it to: Department of Motor Vehicles, Special Processing Unit, MS D238, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-0001

On DMV's Disabled Veteran License Plates page, the one-vehicle fee exemption covers an owned passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial vehicle with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less that isn't used for hire, compensation, or profit. Duplicate plates, certificates, and cards remain subject to replacement fees.

Which plates include fee exemptions or disabled parking?

Only Disabled Veteran plates provide disabled-parking privileges by themselves. They allow the qualifying veteran, when driving or riding in the vehicle, to use accessible spaces, blue curbs, green curbs without a time limit, on-street meters without payment, and resident or merchant permit areas. They don't allow parking at red, yellow, or white curbs or in crosshatched access aisles.

The cost of a California veteran license plate depends on its legal category. DMV's Special License Plate Fees page lists the current transaction charges:

• Disabled Veteran, Congressional Medal of Honor, and Ex-Prisoner of War: Qualified holders may receive a fee exemption for one eligible vehicle. A person who qualifies for more than one of these exemptions can't use multiple exempt registrations.
• Gold Star Family, Legion of Valor, Pearl Harbor Survivor, and Purple Heart: DMV charges $0 for original issuance and annual plate renewal, but normal vehicle registration fees generally remain due.
• Honoring Veterans: The special-interest plate has initial and annual plate fees in addition to ordinary registration charges.

A Purple Heart recipient who also qualifies as a disabled veteran may request the Disabled Veteran fee exemption on Purple Heart plates instead of displaying DV plates. The Purple Heart plate still doesn't provide disabled-parking privileges, so the driver needs a valid Disabled Person placard for accessible parking. See California Disabled Person Parking Placard: How to Apply and Replace for the placard process.

How to replace or move veteran and military plates

Use the form assigned to the plate category. Veterans' Organization plate owners use REG 17 for replacement, reassignment, retention, or release. Military recognition plate owners use REG 17A. Disabled Veteran plate owners use the Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) for a lost, stolen, or damaged plate.

Pay the applicable replacement fee and surrender any damaged plate. If a plate was stolen, include the police report required by DMV. Special-interest plates generally belong to the plate owner rather than the vehicle, but reassignment remains subject to vehicle- and plate-specific eligibility rules. DMV's Replacement License Plates and Stickers page identifies the correct replacement form for each plate type.

Frequently asked questions

Can a non-veteran get a California veteran license plate?

Any motorist, veteran or not, may order the Honoring Veterans plate. Recognition plates require the military award, service history, POW status, or family relationship named by the plate. Disabled Veteran plates require a qualifying service-connected disability.

Can a veteran or military plate be personalized?

The Veterans' Organization plate can be personalized with two to six characters on an automobile, commercial vehicle, or trailer and two to five on a motorcycle. Most military recognition plates and Disabled Veteran plates aren't personalized; DMV assigns their configurations. Ex-Prisoner of War applicants may request four specific digits under DMV rules.

Can veteran or military plates go on a motorcycle?

Some can. Veterans' Organization, Disabled Veteran, Ex-Prisoner of War, Gold Star Family, and Purple Heart plates are available for qualifying motorcycles. Congressional Medal of Honor plates may also be assigned to an eligible motorcycle. Legion of Valor and Pearl Harbor Survivor plates aren't motorcycle options.

How long does it take to receive a veteran or military plate?

On DMV's Processing Times page, sequential plates are currently estimated at three weeks and personalized plates at four months, online or by mail. Recognition and Disabled Veteran applications may take longer when supporting documents need additional review. All processing times are estimates. See How Long Does It Take To Receive Replacement Plates in California for more on timing.

What happens to eligibility-based plates when the holder dies?

Surrender and survivor-retention rules depend on the plate. For example, REG 256V says Disabled Veteran plates must be surrendered within 60 days of the veteran's death or by December 31 of that year, whichever comes first. Some recognition plates may be retained by a surviving spouse or kept as a non-display heirloom. Contact DMV before transferring, displaying, or discarding an eligibility-based plate.

Apply for the plate that matches your eligibility

Start with the plate category, then submit the matching form and every required proof document. Keeping a copy of the application, supporting records, payment, and DMV correspondence makes later replacement or reassignment much easier.

New veteran and military plate applications and eligibility decisions must go through DMV. Our service applies to eligible replacement requests for an existing California license plate, registration sticker, or registration card; we don't determine military eligibility or issue an original recognition or Disabled Veteran plate.

If your replacement qualifies, replace your existing California plate, registration sticker, or registration card online with Xtreet and happily check one more DMV task off your list.