NY veteran license plates are available in more than a dozen designs covering each armed forces branch, specific conflicts, combat decorations, and veteran organizations. Most applicants use Form CP-30, mail it to the DMV’s Custom Plates Unit in Albany with proof of service, and pay a fee that runs from nothing for former prisoners of war up to $70 for a personalized general Veteran plate.
Which Plate You Can Get
The plates sort into four groups. Branch plates cover the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, each carrying the branch emblem. A general “Veteran” plate is also available, including a motorcycle version.
Conflict plates recognize service in a specific war. New York issues plates for Pearl Harbor survivors, Korean War veterans, Vietnam War veterans, Persian Gulf War veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, among others. Each conflict has its own eligibility window written into the statute. For the Iraq and Afghanistan plates, qualifying service starts October 16, 2002 for Iraq and October 7, 2001 for Afghanistan.1New York State Senate. New York Code VAT 404-Y – Distinctive Plates for Veterans of the Iraq War and Veterans of the Afghanistan War
Award plates honor recipients of the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Congressional Medal of Honor. You need documentation of the specific decoration.
Organization plates include Marine Corps League, Jewish War Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans, among others. These require active membership and approval from the organization before the DMV will process the plate.2New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled American Veteran (Vehicle)
Two plates recognize family rather than the veteran’s own service. Gold Star Mother plates go to a parent whose child died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.3New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Gold Star Mother Former Prisoner of War plates are available to eligible former POWs.4New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Former Prisoner of War
Who Qualifies
For most veteran plates you need to be a New York resident who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. That standard is broader than an honorable discharge alone, so a general discharge under honorable conditions still qualifies. The Iraq and Afghanistan plate statute is broader still, expressly covering veterans with qualifying conditions under the Veterans’ Services Law and LGBT veterans discharged with anything above a bad conduct discharge.1New York State Senate. New York Code VAT 404-Y – Distinctive Plates for Veterans of the Iraq War and Veterans of the Afghanistan War
For a conflict plate, your service dates have to fall within the period the statute defines for that war. Award plates require proof of the specific decoration. Organization plates require active membership. The DAV plate, for example, requires lifetime DAV membership and direct approval from the organization.2New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled American Veteran (Vehicle)
Former POW plates require proof of POW status, which can come from a DD-214, a military service certification, or a letter from the Veterans Administration.4New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Former Prisoner of War Gold Star Mother plates require official documentation of the child’s death in service.3New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Gold Star Mother
What Each Plate Costs
Fees vary by plate. The main ones:
- General Veteran plate: $38.75 for the initial plate with a DMV-assigned number, or $70.00 for a personalized number. Personalized plates carry a $31.25 renewal fee billed with your registration.5New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Veteran (Vehicle)
- Gold Star Mother plate: $28.75 initial purchase, no renewal fee, cannot be personalized.3New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Gold Star Mother
- Former Prisoner of War plate: $0.00 initial, $0.00 renewal, no personalization.4New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Former Prisoner of War
- Iraq or Afghanistan War Veteran plate: a one-time $10.00 service charge on top of the regular registration fee.1New York State Senate. New York Code VAT 404-Y – Distinctive Plates for Veterans of the Iraq War and Veterans of the Afghanistan War
These are separate from the standard biennial vehicle registration fee, which applies to every New York driver.
Two groups get more than a plate-fee break. Former POWs pay nothing.4New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Former Prisoner of War Congressional Medal of Honor recipients can also receive an exemption from the standard vehicle registration fee itself.6New York State Division of Veterans’ Services. New York State Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption Veterans with disabilities may also qualify for a registration fee exemption depending on their disability status and VA documentation.
Documents to Gather
The DMV accepts several forms of proof of service. For the general Veteran plate any of these will work: a copy of your DD-214 (Report of Separation), a Certification of Military Service (NA Form 13038), other discharge papers, or a New York driver license that already displays the veteran designation.5New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Veteran (Vehicle) The last option saves the most time if you already added veteran status to your license.
You also need a completed Application for Custom Plates (Form CP-30). The form asks for your vehicle registration information, and your registration cannot expire within 60 days of the application. The CP-30 is available on the DMV website or at any motor vehicle office.7New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Picture and Professional Plates
For an award plate, bring documentation of that specific decoration. For an organization plate, bring the approval letter from the organization.
How to Order
Military and veteran plates go through the DMV’s Custom Plates Unit, not a standard counter. Mail the completed CP-30, your proof of eligibility, and payment to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Custom Plates Unit
P.O. Box 2775
Albany, NY 12220-07757New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Picture and Professional Plates
Organization plates work differently. You apply through the organization first, and the group coordinates with the DMV.2New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled American Veteran (Vehicle)
After approval, expect four to six weeks for the plates to arrive by mail.8New York Department of Motor Vehicles. Application for Custom Plates Keep your current plates on the vehicle in the meantime, and surrender them at a local DMV office once the new plates are on.
If You’re the Spouse
Many of the veteran plate statutes extend eligibility to a qualifying veteran’s spouse. The Iraq and Afghanistan plate statute allows a spouse to apply, but not if the veteran already holds the plate on another vehicle.1New York State Senate. New York Code VAT 404-Y – Distinctive Plates for Veterans of the Iraq War and Veterans of the Afghanistan War Similar spousal provisions appear in the statutes for Former Prisoner of War plates, organized militia and reserve plates, Purple Heart plates, and Pearl Harbor survivor plates. A spouse applying still needs the veteran’s service documentation, typically the DD-214 or equivalent, along with the CP-30.