Connecticut offers several veteran license plate options through the Department of Motor Vehicles (CT DMV). Whether you served in peacetime, deployed to a combat zone, or live with a service-connected disability, the state provides specific plates to honor your service. This guide walks you through every plate type, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply.
The Pre-Application Checklist Every CT Veteran Needs to Review
Before filling out any applications, ensure you have the required documentation ready. All forms mentioned below can be downloaded directly from the official CT.gov DMV portal.
- Proof of Honorable Discharge: You will need a copy of your DD-214 (Certificate of Honorable Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
- Current Registration: The vehicle must be currently registered in Connecticut with a permanent registration. You can only request a plate type that matches your current registration class (e.g., passenger plates can only be swapped for veteran passenger plates).
- Pro-Tip: If your Connecticut driver’s license or state ID already features the U.S. flag “Veteran” symbol, the DMV already has your discharge paperwork on file. You can simply submit a copy of your license instead of your DD-214.
Types of Veteran Plates Offered by the CT DMV
Connecticut offers multiple veteran plate designs. Understanding which one applies to you—and the associated costs—is the first step.
| Plate Type | Who Qualifies | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Standard & Flag-Style | Honorably discharged veterans or surviving spouses | Regular registration + $27.50 one-time fee |
| Wartime Veteran | Veterans with service during specific conflicts | Regular registration + $27.50 one-time fee |
| Disabled Veteran | VA-certified service-connected disabilities | No fee |
| Gold Star Family | Immediate family of fallen service members | Regular registration |
| Organization Plates | Active members of specific military orgs | Varies by organization |
Note: If you want a custom “Vanity” veteran plate with personalized text, it is available but comes with a significantly higher fee (typically $139 or more, depending on the plate class).
CT DMV Disabled Veteran Plates
Connecticut offers free Disabled Veteran plates for those with qualifying service-connected disabilities. You may register up to three vehicles with these plates, provided each vehicle is owned or leased by the disabled veteran (or registered in two names if the veteran is one of the owners).
Eligibility Requirements
Under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-254, you must have served during wartime and have one of the following service-connected disabilities certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
- Amputation or loss of use of one or both legs or arms
- Blindness, paraplegia, or hemiplegia
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A general VA disability rating percentage is not enough. The specific qualifying condition must be verified on official VA letterhead.
How to Apply
- Obtain Your VA Letter (Must explicitly list the qualifying condition)
- Get a letter on official letterhead from the VA confirming your service-connected disability aligns with the state’s specific qualifying conditions.
- Make an Appointment (Walk-ins are not accepted)
- Schedule an appointment online for the DMV Wethersfield Office (60 State Street). Initial requests for Disabled Veteran plates cannot be processed at any other DMV location.
- Submit in Person
- Bring your VA approval letter, vehicle information, and current CT ID to your appointment.
Note: While there is no fee for the plates, new registration, transfers, or renewals, standard vehicle fees like title, lien, and clean air act fees still apply. Renewals and transfers after the initial issuance can be handled at any CT DMV full-service office.
How to Apply for CT Flag-Style and Wartime Veteran Plates Using Form M-46
The standard flag-style plate features a light blue background with an American flag and the word “Veteran.” Wartime-specific versions replace the flag with the name of a specific conflict.
The CT DMV currently offers campaign plates for 10 specific periods: Afghanistan War, Grenada, Iraq War, Korean War, Lebanon, Operation Ernest Will, Panama, Persian Gulf War, Vietnam War, and World War II.
To apply for a Flag-Style or Wartime plate:
- Download the Application: Get the Special Order Veteran Plate Application (Form M-46) from the CT.gov website.
- Gather Identification: Make a copy of your DD-214, a current U.S. Uniformed Services ID card, or your CT license/ID with the veteran flag symbol.
- Mail the Packet: Send the completed form, your documentation, and a check for the $27.50 one-time plate fee to:Department of Motor Vehicles, Customized Plates Unit, 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161.
Gold Star, Military Organization, and DAV Plates: How Each Is Handled Differently by the CT DMV
Gold Star Family Plates: Immediate family members (spouses, parents, siblings, children) of service members who lost their lives in the line of duty can apply for a Gold Star plate using Form M-38.
Military Organization Plates: The DMV offers specialized plates for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Marine Corps League, and Pearl Harbor Survivors. You must contact the specific organization’s local chapter to verify membership and obtain the application.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Plate: This plate is exclusively for active members of the DAV organization, not all disabled veterans. To apply, contact the DAV Department of Connecticut at (203) 440-4440 or visit their office in Meriden to obtain the authorized paperwork.
Surviving Spouse Benefits
Upon the death of a disabled veteran, the surviving spouse may retain the free Disabled Veteran plate for their lifetime, or until they remarry. For flag-style and wartime veteran plates, surviving spouses can apply for or retain the plates by submitting a copy of their marriage certificate and the veteran’s death certificate along with Form M-46.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The CT disabled veteran plate comes with an overtime parking card (Form A-19). This allows you to park in municipal spaces (like street meters) for up to 24 hours without a ticket. It does not authorize you to park in blue, wheelchair-accessible handicapped spaces. A separate state disability placard is required for that.
Yes. You may register up to three vehicles with Disabled Veteran plates, provided each vehicle is owned or leased by the disabled veteran.
There is no fee for new registration, plate manufacturing, transfers, or renewals. However, standard administrative fees (title fees, lien fees, and the clean air act fee) still apply.
Initial applications for Disabled Veteran plates must be made by appointment at the CT DMV Wethersfield Office. Other DMV offices can handle your renewals and vehicle transfers later on.
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