Vehicles

Veteran plate

Who is eligible The owner of a vehicle who served in the U.S. Armed Forces of the United States and was discharged under honorable conditions.
Requirements A copy of the DD 214 (other than copy 1) or other documentation (WD AGO form 53-55) (WW2) approved by the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. Documents must show the dates of service and character of service at least under honorable conditions. National Guard and Reserve members must have served at least 90 days of active duty service for other than training, or National Guard and/or Reserve minimum of 20 years of service, discharge under honorable conditions, eligible for retired pay at age 60.
Eligible vehicles Automobiles
Multipurpose vehicles
Sport utility vehicles
Vans
Motorcycles
Trucks
Motor homes
Trailers and travel trailers
Numbered plate fee
  • One set at no charge
  • Second or subsequent sets at $25
  • Annual registration renewal fee PLUS $5 annual registration fee to the Veterans License Fee Fund at the time of renewal.

Note: The $5 annual validation fee will be credited to the Veterans License Fee Fund.

Plates (including personalized plates) may be purchased as a gift. Gift certificates will be mailed to the purchaser.

Personalized plate fee
  • One set at $25
  • Second or subsequent sets at $50
  • $5 annual validation fee to the Veterans License Fee Fund at the time of renewal
  • Annual registration renewal fee (paid to county treasurer)

Note: The $5 annual validation fee will be credited to the Veterans License Fee Fund.

Second or subsequent plates, $25 of the personalized plate fee will be credited to the Veterans License Fee Fund

Personalized license plates may consist of up to five characters and numbers. All personalized plate choices must have at least two characters.

  • No punctuation marks are allowed.
  • No denoting a government agency (i.e., DOT).
  • No display of characters that are sexual in connotation.
  • No characters suggesting profane, obscene or inflammatory words or phrases, or those contrary to public policy.
  • No characters or words defined in dictionaries as a term of vulgarity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, or racial or ethnic degradation.
  • No characters considered to be offensive.
  • No characters that conflict with the regular license numbering system.
  • Recognized as a swear word.
  • Reference to an illegal substance or criminal act.
  • Any foreign word falling in any of these categories.
  • Cannot be all numbers.
How to apply Special Plate Application

Make checks payable to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Completed applications may be returned the following address.

Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
7105 NW 70th Ave., Building 3465
Johnston, IA 50131

Your plates will be sent to your county treasurer's office and staff will notify you when your plates are available. Plates must be assigned to a vehicle within 90 days or the plates will be voided and no refund issued. Your current plates must be exchanged for your new plates.

For questions

Telephone: 515-237-3110
E-mail:  dot.plates@iowadot.us

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