What disabled veteran plates are and who can get them

Disabled veteran plates are special license plates issued by Texas that identify your vehicle as belonging to a veteran with a service-connected disability. The plates are free, and they come with parking privileges — you can park in disabled parking spaces without displaying a separate placard, as long as your vehicle displays the plates.

To get them, you must be a veteran with a disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Texas does not issue these plates based on your own assessment of disability; the VA rating is the requirement. The disability must be service-connected, meaning the VA determined it was caused by or made worse by your military service.

You do not need to be a Texas resident, but your vehicle must be registered in Texas. If you move out of state, you can keep the plates as long as your vehicle registration stays active in Texas.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a VA disability rating letter showing a service-connected disability to request disabled veteran plates from Texas.
  • The plates are free and allow you to use disabled parking spaces without a separate placard.
  • You request the plates through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by mail or in person at a local office.
  • Processing takes roughly two to four weeks after the DMV receives your completed request.
  • You can have disabled veteran plates on multiple vehicles if you own them, but each vehicle needs its own set.

What documents you need to bring or mail

Gather these items before you contact the DMV. You will need your current VA disability rating letter, which shows your disability percentage and confirms it is service-connected. If you do not have a physical copy, you can print one from VA.gov by logging into your VA account, or you can call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and request they mail you a copy.

You also need your vehicle registration (the current registration card for the vehicle you want the plates on), a valid photo ID, and proof of Texas residency if you are explore in person. If you are mailing your request, include a copy of your photo ID and residency proof along with the other documents.

Some DMV offices also accept a VA disability placard as proof instead of the rating letter, but the rating letter is the safest option because it is the official document the VA issues. Bring both if you have them.

How to request the plates by mail

read the process for Disabled Veteran License Plates form (Form VTR-130) from the Texas DMV website at dmv.texas.gov. Fill it out completely, including your name, driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and current license plate number.

Make copies of your VA disability rating letter, vehicle registration, and photo ID. Mail the completed form and copies to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Customer Service Division, P.O. Box 15432, Austin, TX 78761-5432. Include a note with your phone number and email address so the DMV can contact you if they need anything else.

The DMV typically processes mail requests in two to four weeks. You will receive your new plates by mail at the address on your vehicle registration. Keep your old plates until the new ones arrive, then turn the old plates in at any DMV office or authorized agent.

How to request the plates in person at a DMV office

Bring your VA disability rating letter, vehicle registration, valid photo ID, and proof of Texas residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works) to your local DMV office. You can find office locations and hours at dmv.texas.gov or by calling 1-888-368-4689.

Tell the clerk you want to request disabled veteran plates. They will verify your VA rating letter, check your vehicle registration, and process the request on the spot. You will pay no fee. The DMV will order your plates and mail them to you within two to four weeks.

If you want your new plates right away, some DMV offices can issue temporary plates on the day you explore, though this varies by location. Ask the clerk whether your office offers this option. Temporary plates are valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent plates to arrive.

What happens after you receive your new plates

When your disabled veteran plates arrive, remove your old plates from your vehicle and install the new ones. You do not need to return to the DMV or do anything else — the registration transfer happens automatically in the system.

Your vehicle registration card will still show your old plate number until you renew your registration. When you renew (usually every two years), the registration card will update to show your disabled veteran plates. This does not affect your ability to use the plates or park in disabled spaces in the meantime.

You can now park in any disabled parking space without displaying a separate placard. The plates themselves serve as your authorization. If you lose or damage a plate, you can request a replacement at any DMV office or through the mail using the same form.

Using your plates at renewal time

When your vehicle registration expires, you renew it the same way you normally would — online at dmv.texas.gov, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. You do not need to resubmit your VA rating letter or request the plates again.

Your disabled veteran plates stay on your vehicle as long as your registration is active. If your registration lapses, your plates are no longer valid for parking purposes, so keep your registration current.

If your VA disability rating changes or is terminated, you should notify the Texas DMV. You can do this by mailing a new rating letter to the address above, or by visiting a DMV office in person. If your rating is terminated, you will no longer be able to use the disabled parking privileges, though you can keep the plates on your vehicle if you choose.

What to do if your request is denied or delayed

The DMV will deny your request only if your VA rating letter does not show a service-connected disability or if there is a problem with your vehicle registration. If this happens, the DMV will mail you a letter explaining the reason. Check that your VA rating letter clearly states "service-connected" and that your vehicle registration is current and matches the name on your process.

If your request is delayed beyond four weeks, call the Texas DMV at 1-888-368-4689 and provide your process reference number (the DMV gives you this when you explore). They can check the status and tell you whether your plates are in production or if there is a hold-up.

If you believe your VA rating letter was lost or mishandled, contact the DMV office where you applied and ask them to check their records. If you applied by mail and are concerned your envelope did not arrive, you can resubmit with a new copy of your rating letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get disabled veteran plates if my disability rating is 0 percent?

No. Texas requires a service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent. A 0 percent rating means the VA found a service-connected condition but determined it does not cause a measurable disability. You do not meet the threshold for these plates.

Do I need a separate disabled parking placard if I have the plates?

No. The plates themselves authorize you to park in disabled spaces. You do not need a placard. However, if you sometimes drive someone else's vehicle, you may want to keep a placard in that vehicle so you can still use disabled parking when you are not driving your own car.

What if I have multiple vehicles?

You can request disabled veteran plates for each vehicle you own. Submit a separate process for each one, including that vehicle's registration and VIN. Each vehicle gets its own set of plates. You pay no fee for any of them.

Can I transfer my disabled veteran plates to a new vehicle?

Yes. When you buy a new vehicle and register it in Texas, you can request to transfer your disabled veteran plates to the new registration. Bring your current plates, the new vehicle's registration, and your VA rating letter to a DMV office, or mail them with a new process form. The process is the same as requesting plates for the first time.

What if I move out of Texas?

If you move to another state, you will need to register your vehicle there and request disabled veteran plates through that state's DMV. Texas plates are only valid in Texas. Some states have similar programs for disabled veterans, but each state has its own rules and process process.