State & Local Perks
What DMV benefits do veterans get by state?
Every state offers at least one DMV benefit for veterans — most commonly a free or discounted disabled veteran license plate. About half of states also waive vehicle registration fees for veterans with a qualifying disability rating, saving $100 to $300+ per year per vehicle. A handful of states additionally waive the CDL skills test for veterans with equivalent military driving experience.
Updated June 2026 · Browse all benefits
Disabled veteran and Purple Heart license plates
Every state has a dedicated license plate program for disabled veterans or Purple Heart recipients. These plates are typically free or deeply discounted compared to standard specialty plates.
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DV (Disabled Veteran) plates — available in all 50 states for veterans with a service-connected disability. Most states issue them free of the standard plate fee. Required disability rating thresholds vary (some require 100%, others accept any rating).
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Purple Heart plates — available in most states for Purple Heart recipients at no or minimal fee. Purple Heart plates sometimes carry additional privileges such as free parking at state facilities or toll waivers.
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POW and Medal of Honor plates — specialty plates in most states with similar or greater privileges, typically at no charge.
Plate privileges (free parking, toll waivers, park access) are site-specific and vary by state and jurisdiction. A DV plate that waives state park parking fees in Massachusetts may not waive parking fees in neighboring states.
Vehicle registration fee waivers
In approximately half of U.S. states, veterans with a qualifying disability rating or those holding a DV plate registration pay no annual registration fee on at least one vehicle.
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Some states waive fees on one vehicle; others extend the waiver to two vehicles.
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Minimum disability rating requirements range from 10% to 100% depending on the state.
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Surviving spouses of disabled veterans retain the waiver in several states.
Registration fee waivers vary significantly by state — verify the current rule directly with your state DMV or department of motor vehicles before assuming the exemption applies to your vehicle.
CDL skills test waivers for veterans
Some states exempt veterans with recent military commercial vehicle experience from the CDL (commercial driver's license) skills test. This applies to service members who operated heavy military vehicles including HEMTTs, MRAPs, LMTV/FMTVs, and other Class 8 equivalents.
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Alaska — CDL skills test waiver for veterans with qualifying equivalent military commercial vehicle experience. Contact the Alaska DMV directly to confirm eligibility and documentation requirements.
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Colorado — Veterans who operated heavy military vehicles for at least two years with a clean driving record may apply for a skills test waiver using Form DR 2742 (Skills Test Waiver Application). Submit to the CDL Unit in Lakewood, CO.
CDL waiver eligibility typically requires recent and equivalent military experience. Driving a Humvee does not qualify — the program is for operators of vehicles in the Class A CDL weight range.
Frequently asked questions
Does a DV plate automatically waive parking fees at all locations?
No. Parking fee waivers are site-specific. For example, Massachusetts waives state park parking fees for vehicles with DV or Purple Heart plates — but that waiver only applies to DCR-managed state parks in Massachusetts. Each venue, city, or state sets its own DV plate parking policy independently.
Do I need to be a state resident to get a DV license plate?
Yes. State DMV license plates require state residency. If you move, you'll need to transfer your vehicle registration to your new state and apply for that state's DV plate.
Can I transfer a DV plate to a new vehicle?
In most states, yes — you pay the standard transfer fee and move the plate to the new vehicle. The disabled veteran status of the plate follows the plate, not the vehicle.
Does a DV plate affect car insurance rates?
Plates themselves generally don't affect insurance rates directly. However, some states offer separate auto insurance discounts for disabled veterans through state-sponsored programs — check with your state's insurance commissioner's office.
Boon Atlas is an independent benefits and perks directory. Boon Atlas is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or any military branch. Confirm benefit details directly with the company, program, or official source before relying on any information listed here.
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