Free "Purple Heart" License Plates

Revised Statute 47:463.26 provides for the issuance of a Free License Plate for recipients of the "Purple Heart" medal to be used in lieu of the regular motor vehicle registration plates. The recipient may be issued only one plate and such plate shall not be subject to renewal requirements applicable to regular numbered plates. A written request submitted with proof of receiving the Purple Heart should be sent to the Department of Public Safety. The surviving spouse may retain this plate in the event of the recipients death.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION BUREAU
P.O. BOX 64886, BATON ROUGE, LA 70896

Motor Vehicle - Disabled Veterans - Special License Plates, Exemptions

Subsection B of Section 463 of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended and re-enacted by Act 263, Section 1 of the Louisiana Legislature, provides for any amputee or blind veteran of World War II or of service on or after June 27, 1950, who is a Louisiana citizen and who received financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the purchase of an automobile under provisions of Public Law 663 of the 79th Congress as amended, or under Public Law 187 of the 82nd Congress to be exempt from payment of any motor vehicle registration or license tax on such automobile thus received and is also exempt from payment of such tax on each subsequent automobile purchased by him as replacement, so long as it is determined by evidence from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that his disability (disabilities) still meet(s) the requirements which were met originally in establishing his eligibility to an automobile. Fifty percent or more service connected disabled veterans are eligible for the free license plate.

The plates now issued are red, white, and blue in color with the letters "DV" followed by an appropriate number. The license plate is non-transferable to any other individual, but may be transferred from one vehicle to another owned by the veteran, provided the Louisiana Department of Public Safety is furnished the appropriate information concerning the other vehicle. Only one (1) plate may be issued to each eligible veteran. The plates are not subject to renewal requirements by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, and they are issued upon application to any disabled veteran in lieu of the regular motor vehicle registration license plates.

Act Number 150 of the 1986, Louisiana Legislature provides the holders of these plates be accorded the same privileges as holders of special license plates for handicapped persons.
FREE "X-POW" LICENSE PLATES

Act 121 of the Louisiana Legislature amends Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 to provide for the issuance of special license plates to those veterans who were former Prisoners-of-Wars during a Wartime period as defined by R.S. 29:251.2.

The plates are issued without charge and contain the designation of "X-POW" followed by an appropriate number.

The plates are not subject to renewal requirements by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, and they are issued upon application to any former Prisoner-of-War in lieu of the regular motor vehicle registration license plates. The application must be accompanied by appropriate verification of the veteran's status as a former Prisoner-of-War.

The plates are permanent and may be transferred from one vehicle to another, provided the Louisiana Department of Public Safety is furnished the necessary information on the other vehicle. More than one plate may be issued to each eligible veteran. This plate may be retained and used by the surviving spouse in the event of the death of the X-POW (Act 824, 1985 Regular Session).

Applications for the above mentioned benefits may be obtained at your local Parish Veterans Service Office.

Special Prestigious License Plates for Certain Veterans and Retirees

The Louisiana Legislature has authorized the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue prestige license plates to certain Louisiana veterans and retired (military) veterans. These plates will be issued for use on any privately-owned passenger car, pickup truck, or van of the veteran applicant. The cost of these plates are the same as the regular issue. Contact the Office of Motor Vehicles to obtain a detailed list of these prestige plates and the requirements for issuance thereof.