BEDFORD – According to Veterans Affairs Officer Brad Bough, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers several distinctive license plates for military personnel, Hoosier veterans, and civilians to show their support for the armed forces.
“100 percent of the sales generated go directly into the Military Family Relief Fund, which helps veterans and their families with food, housing, medical expenses, and other resources,” said Bough. “Our office can help anyone wanting one of these license plates.”
During the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday morning, Bough showed them a poster of the various plates available for veterans and their widows and families.
To purchase a new Hoosier Veteran license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide at least one of the following:
- The United States Uniformed Services Retiree Identification Card;
- A DD214 or DD215;
- United States military discharge papers;
- A current armed forces identification card or
- An Indiana credential, such as a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card containing an indication of veteran status. The indicator is located in the upper right corner on the back of the Indiana credential. An indicator of Veteran (“V”) or Active Military (“AM”) may be accepted.
To purchase a new Disabled Hoosier Veteran license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide the following on first issuance:
Military License Plates
National Guard License Plate
To purchase a National Guard license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide the following annually with registration renewal:
For active members:
- A current U.S. Armed Forces ID, AND
- A letter signed by the individual’s commanding officer identifying the individual as a current active member
For former members:
- National Guard Bureau Form 22 or 22A showing the individual received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions or
- National Guard Bureau Form 23D or 23E showing the individual as retired
Purple Heart License Plate
To purchase a new Purple Heart license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide the following (a surviving spouse is eligible to receive the plate on or after July 1, 2021):
- The Certification of Eligibility for Veteran License Plate – State Form 32584 is submitted confirming eligibility for a Purple Heart License plate.
Purple Heart Disability License Plate
To purchase a new Purple Heart Disability license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide both the above State Form 32584 in addition to the following (a surviving spouse is eligible to receive the plate on or after July 1, 2021):
- The Application for Application for Disability License Plate or Parking Placard – State Form 42070 is submitted confirming eligibility for a permanent disability license plate or parking placard, or the customer has a current Indiana registration with a Disability plate or permanent parking placard.
Ex-Prisoner of War (POW) License Plate
To purchase a new Ex-POW or Purple Heart license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide the following upon first issuance:
Pearl Harbor License Plate
Pearl Harbor plates are available to Pearl Harbor survivors. Upon the death of a Pearl Harbor survivor, the surviving spouse is entitled to the license plate. To purchase a new Pearl Harbor license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide the following at first issuance:
- Any military document verifying the person was an active member of the United States armed forces and served at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack.
Gold Star Family License Plate
The Gold Star Family license plate is available to the spouses, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings and children of anyone who died while serving on duty in the military – active, Reserve or National Guard.
To purchase a new Gold Star Family license plate, you must visit any Indiana branch and are required to provide the following upon first issuance only:
- Form DD1300 from the Department of Defense or Affidavit for Gold Star Family License Plate – State Form 54181.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Plate
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plate is available to individuals awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. To purchase this plate, you must visit a branch and are required to provide the following:
- A completed Certification of Eligibility for Veteran License Plate – State Form 57107 signed and authorized by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs indicating Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal status.
Support Our Troops License Plate
The special recognition license plate program allows civilian motorists to support military personnel. There is no documentation requirement to purchase a Support Our Troops military plate. Hoosiers who purchase special recognition license plates should expect to pay the following fees:
- Group fees are determined by the organization sponsoring the license plate;
- An administrative fee of $15, except for Air Force Veterans, Army Veterans, Coast Guard Veterans, Ex-Prisoner of War, Marine Corps Veterans, Navy Veterans, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Purple Heart, and Support Our Troops plates;
- Excise taxes are determined by the year and make of the vehicle, as well as by county and municipality of residence. For more information, please view registration fees.
All Indiana license plates supporting military personnel are available as motorcycle plates.
