Search for an “Arizona disabled veteran license plate” and you might expect a single plate to apply for. However, Arizona actually splits this into two separate benefits: a standard Veteran plate that any qualifying veteran can add a disability symbol to, and a completely separate 100% Disabled Veteran exemption that waives your vehicle license tax (VLT) and registration fees.
Most people asking about a “disabled veteran plate” are really after both. Here is a complete guide on how each benefit works and how to apply for them through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
Arizona Doesn’t Have a Separate “Disabled Veteran” Plate Design
This is the detail that causes the most confusion. Unlike states like Colorado or California, the Arizona MVD doesn’t issue a distinctly designed plate specifically for disabled veterans.
Instead, any veteran who qualifies for the standard Veteran plate can request that the international wheelchair (disability) symbol be added to it, at no extra charge, if they also qualify under Arizona’s disability parking rules. The plate itself still looks like the standard “Veteran” plate—the wheelchair symbol is simply printed on it.
Step 1: Apply for the Arizona Veteran License Plate
Who Qualifies?
You must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves. You will need to provide one of the following documents to prove honorable service:
- A copy of DD Form 214, 215, 2, 1173, or 256A showing honorable service.
- A statement of honorable service from the VA or the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.
- A Veteran Health Identification Card, Uniformed Services ID card, or membership card from organizations like the American Legion, VFW, or DAV that documents service.
- An Arizona driver’s license or ID that already carries the “Veteran” designation.
Cost and Required Forms
To order the Veteran plate, you must complete the Special Plate Application (Form 96-0143).
- Standard Veteran Plate: Costs $25 to apply and $25 per year to renew ($17 of that annual fee goes to the Arizona Veterans’ Donations Fund).
- Personalized Veteran Plate: If you want custom characters on the plate, there is an additional $25 fee, bringing the total to $50 initially and $50 upon renewal.
Note: If your driver’s license already has the “Veteran” designation, or if you’ve had a Veteran plate before, you may be able to order a replacement plate online through AZ MVD Now instead of mailing paper forms.
Step 2: Add the Disability Symbol to Your Plate
If you want the handicap parking symbol on your Veteran plate, you must also submit the Disability / Deaf or Hard of Hearing Plate or Placard Application (Form 96-0104) along with your Special Plate Application.
The Medical Certification Waiver for Veterans
Normally, Form 96-0104 requires a licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or podiatrist to sign the form to certify your mobility impairment.
For veterans, this medical certification step is waived if you submit a copy of your U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 100% Disability Certificate. (This certification is also waived if you already have a disability placard or plate from another state).
If your VA disability rating is below 100%, you will still need a licensed medical professional to complete the certification section of the form. Arizona’s disability parking criteria (e.g., the inability to walk 200 feet without stopping) are assessed separately from your VA percentage.
| Benefit | Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran Plate | Proof of honorable service | $25 initial / $25 annual renewal (Add $25 for personalization) |
| Disability Symbol | Medical certification OR a VA 100% Disability Certificate | No additional charge |
| 100% Disabled Veteran Exemption | VA certification of a 100% service-connected disability rating | Waives VLT + registration fees on one vehicle |
The Biggest Benefit: The 100% Disabled Veteran VLT Exemption
This is where the real savings happen, and it is completely independent of the license plate design you choose.
Arizona veterans certified by the VA as 100% disabled are eligible to have their Vehicle License Tax (VLT) and registration fees waived entirely for one vehicle. Since Arizona calculates VLT as a percentage of the vehicle’s assessed value, this annual exemption can save veterans hundreds of dollars a year.
Rules for the VLT Exemption:
- One Vehicle Only: The exemption applies to only one vehicle you own or co-own at a time.
- Transferring Vehicles: If you buy a new vehicle, the exemption can be transferred to it, but you must apply the exemption to the new vehicle when you register it.
- Surviving Spouses: An unremarried surviving spouse of an eligible deceased veteran can continue to receive the exemption, but they must recertify their eligibility every year.
You must claim this exemption through the Arizona MVD using your VA disability award letter as proof. Be sure to ask your MVD office or an authorized third-party provider to apply this exemption during your initial registration or annual renewal.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Gather Service Proof: Collect your proof of honorable service (DD214 or equivalent).
- Prepare Disability Proof: If adding the handicap symbol, get your VA 100% Disability Certificate. If your rating is under 100%, schedule an appointment to have a medical professional sign Form 96-0104.
- Complete Forms: Fill out the Special Plate Application (Form 96-0143) for the plate, and Form 96-0104 for the disability symbol.
- Submit Documentation: Mail both forms, your payment, and copies of your documents to: Mail Drop 801Z, Special Plates Unit, Motor Vehicle Division, PO Box 2100, Phoenix, AZ 85001-2100. Alternatively, submit them in person at an MVD office.
- Claim VLT Exemption: Separately, present your VA 100% disability award letter to the MVD (or third-party provider) to apply the VLT and registration fee waiver to your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Arizona uses the standard Veteran plate for all veterans. If you qualify for disability parking privileges, the MVD simply prints the wheelchair symbol onto that standard Veteran plate.
No. You can submit a VA 100% Disability Certificate in place of the medical signature on the disability plate/placard application (Form 96-0104).
No. If you are already paying the fees for a new or existing Veteran plate, there is no extra charge to add the disability symbol to it.
Yes, but you will need a licensed medical professional to sign your application certifying that you meet Arizona’s mobility-impairment criteria. The symbol is only automatically granted without a doctor’s signature at the 100% VA rating.
No. The tax and registration fee waiver applies to a single vehicle at a time. If you replace that vehicle, you can transfer the exemption to the new one during registration.
Add Comment