Disabled Veteran license plates

Automobiles
Motor homes (annual registration only)
Motor trucks
- 4,500, 6,000 or 8,000 pound gross weight including dual purpose farm and dual purpose motor home
- 12,000 pound gross weight farm truck

Veterans with permanent disabilities are eligible

A Disabled Veteran license plate may be issued to a military veteran with a permanent disability incurred in active U.S. military service that limits or impairs ability to walk, who is the:

Owner of a vehicle
Lessee, of a vehicle, or
Beneficiary of a trust that owns or leases a vehicle

Any person certified by an authorized U.S. Department of Veterans Administration (VA) representative as having a permanent disability that impairs mobility and is a result of injuries while on active U.S. military duty is eligible for the Disabled Veteran parking license plates. By legal definition, this includes any person who:

Cannot walk 200 feet or more without stopping to rest
Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, another person or brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistance device
Is restricted by lung disease to the extent that forced expiratory volume for 1 second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest
Uses portable oxygen
Has a cardiac condition to the extent that functional limitations are classified in severity as class III or IV, according to standards accepted by the American Heart Association
Is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition

If the disability that qualifies you for disabled parking privileges is not a result of an injury while on active U.S. military duty, you may apply for disabled parking license plates or a disabled parking identification card. Disabled parking license plates and the disabled parking identification card provide the same parking privileges as the Disabled Veteran parking license plates.

For information about other military-related special license plates, please see military license plates. These plates do not provide any special parking privileges.

Things you should know:

Only one disabled parking identification card may be issued to persons with Disabled Veteran license plates.
WisDOT may cancel a Disabled Veteran license plate that was issued as a result of fraud or error.
If you are a licensed driver, WisDOT will review your disability relating to your ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control over a motor vehicle. If the VA representative recommends a re-examination, you will be required to complete a knowledge, highway signs and road test to determine appropriate license restrictions.
A copy of your Certificate of Registration or the complete vehicle description on the application must be submitted before plates may be ordered.

Disabled Veteran license plates privileges

A motor vehicle displaying Disabled Veteran license plates issued by Wisconsin or any other state or country, is subject to all Wisconsin motor vehicle laws and is granted the following privileges. Read this important information about authorized disabled parking privileges.

How to apply

Complete the Disabled Veteran Parking License Plates Application form MV2172 "Applicant Section." (page 1)
Have an authorized VA representative complete the "VA Certification." (page 2)
If you wish to receive one disabled parking identification card, indicate this on your application. When using the ID card, individuals must keep a copy of the completed eligibility certification on their person or in the vehicle to provide to a traffic officer upon request. Please make and keep a copy of the certification, signed by your health care provider, before submitting the application to DMV.
If you want personalized Disabled Veteran plates, check the "I would like personalized Disabled Veteran plates" box and complete the "Personalized Disabled Veteran License Plate Application." (page 2)
If the vehicle that you wish to register with Disabled Veteran plates is already registered in your name, send:

Completed Disabled Veteran Parking License Plates Application "Applicant Section" (page1);

A current VA rating sheet or a certification from the VA (page 2);

A copy of your Certificate of Registration OR complete the vehicle description on the application;

Registration fee if you do not have plates or if your plates expire within the next three months;

An additional $15 if applying for personalized plates.

6. If the vehicle is NOT titled in your name, send:

A completed title application MV1 (401 KB) or MV11 (available through a car dealer)

All required documents and fees, including your annual registration fee

An additional $15, if applying for personalized plates.

7. If a fee is required, check or money order made payable to: Registration Fee Trust.

8. Mail the application with payment (if required) to:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Special Plates Unit - VET
P.O. Box 7306
Madison WI 53707-7306

For personalized plates

A $15 personalized plate fee is required each year in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
No refund or adjustment will be made for a change of choice or spacing after the plate has been ordered, or if the application is incorrectly or unclearly completed.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) may refuse to issue OR may recall after issuance, a request that is misleading or may be offensive to good taste or decency.
Allow approximately 4-6 weeks for the plates to be manufactured after you have received your Certificate of Registration. If you do not currently have disabled parking plates or an ID card, we will send a temporary disabled parking ID card for use until the personalized plates arrive.

Temporary plates required

To legally operate your vehicle, you must display license plates within two business days of purchase. If you do not have current plates, apply to a DMV service center or an agent authorized by DMV to obtain a temporary plate while your Ducks Unlimited plate order is processed. An agent may charge a $3 plate fee and/or may also charge a $5 service fee.

Changing from personalized to regular disabled veteran plates

If you wish to re-register your vehicle with regular disabled Veteran license plates at renewal time or within three months of the renewal expiration date, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration or renewal notice with a request for regular Disabled Veteran plates along with the registration fee. Subtract $15 from the fee shown on the renewal notice. If you wish to re-register other than at renewal time, submit the request and a copy of the Certificate of Registration.

Release of information

WisDOT uses the information on the MV2172 form to issue Disabled Veteran parking license plates. Under open records laws, WisDOT must make nonexempt information available upon request. WisDOT makes some information available to companies for business purposes. If you want your name and address withheld from such business mailing lists, complete the "Release of Nonexempt Information" portion on the application form.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you have any questions about Disabled Veteran parking license plates:

E-mail: special-plates.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
Call: (608) 266-3041 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Fax: (608) 267-5106
Write to the address above

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Disabled veteran license plate