How to Get Delaware Disabled Veterans License Plates

Delaware disabled veterans license plates are issued through the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to honor veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities. Beyond recognition, these plates offer practical benefits, including potential parking privileges and significant registration fee exemptions.

This guide covers exactly who qualifies, the specific VA documents you need, and how to successfully complete your application without delays.

Important: Before You Apply

Before starting the paperwork, there are two major Delaware-specific rules that frequently catch veterans off guard:

• Rear Plate Only: Delaware is a rear-plate-only state for this category. The DAV plate must be displayed only on the rear of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Weight Limits: These plates cannot go on just any vehicle.
  • Standard DAV Plates are restricted to private passenger vehicles or trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs or less.
  • DAV-HP Plates (with the handicap symbol) lower the truck limit to a GVWR of 14,000 lbs or less.

Two Delaware Disabled Veteran Plate Types — Understanding the Difference Before You Apply

Delaware offers two distinct plate types for disabled veterans. Under state law, only one plate (of either type) is issued per applicant.

• DAV Plate (Standard): Issued to veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability. The plate includes the letters “DAV” followed by a consecutive number.
• DAV-HP Plate (Handicap Parking): Issued to veterans whose service-connected disability also causes a severe mobility impairment. This plate displays the universally recognized wheelchair symbol and grants access to blue handicapped parking spaces. Because only one DAV plate is issued per applicant and it covers a single vehicle, many veterans also apply for a portable handicap placard for use in other vehicles.

Eligibility Requirements Under 21 Delaware Code §2138: Who Qualifies for Delaware DAV Plates

Under Title 21 of the Delaware Code (§ 2138), you must meet strict service and certification requirements. A general VA disability rating is not enough.

1. The Wartime Service Requirement Your official records must show that you served in any war, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, Operation Desert Storm, or another military conflict on foreign soil in which U.S. Armed Forces were formally engaged in battle.

2. The Disability Certification You must provide official documentation proving that you have a service-connected disability directly tied to that qualifying wartime service. (See the “Documents Required” section below for exactly how to prove this).

Documents Required for Delaware DAV and DAV-HP Plate Applications

Gathering the correct paperwork is the most critical step. You will need:

• Form MV549: The Application for Special DAV or DAV-HP License Plates.
• Proof of Veteran Status: Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
• The Correct VA Letter: Do not just bring any VA letter. Log into VA.gov and download your “Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter.” Ensure the boxes for “Service-Connected Disability” and your specific eras of service are checked. The DMV needs to see both the disability status and the wartime service.
• Payment: A check or money order for the $10 administrative fee (payable to Delaware DMV).

How to Apply for Delaware Disabled Veterans License Plates

Path A: Applying for the Standard DAV Plate

1. Download Form MV549 from the Delaware DMV website (dmv.de.gov).
2. Complete the Applicant Section: Fill out your vehicle details (VIN, make, year) and personal information.
3. Attach Your Proof: Staple your DD-214 and your VA Benefit Summary Letter to the application.
4. Submit: Bring the packet and your $10 fee to any Delaware DMV office,  or mail it to: Delaware DMV, P.O. Box 698, Dover, DE 19903.

Path B: Applying for the DAV-HP (Handicap) Plate

1. Download Form MV549 from the Delaware DMV website.
2. Complete the Applicant Section: Fill out the vehicle and personal details.
3. Get Your Physician’s Signature: Because this plate grants handicap parking, you must take the form to your licensed physician. They must fill out and sign page 2, certifying that your mobility impairment is permanent.
   • The Age Exemption Rule: Veterans 80 years of age or older (often mistakenly cited online as 85+) do notneed a physician to sign the medical certification section. However, you absolutely still must submit your DD-214 and VA disability letter to prove your veteran status. Age only waves the doctor’s note, not the military requirements.
4. Submit: Mail the completed application, DD-214, VA letter, and $10 fee to the Dover P.O. Box listed above, or drop it off at any DMV branch.

Financial Benefits: Registration & Document Fee Waivers

There is a one-time $10 administrative fee to order the physical plate. After that, standard annual registration fees apply to most veterans—but there is a massive exception:

The Adaptive Equipment Exemption Veterans who are eligible for VA “adaptive equipment” benefits (meaning severe mobility impairments requiring vehicle modifications like power lifts, specialized hand controls, or modified steering/brakes) are exempt from standard registration fees for one vehicle at a time.

Furthermore, veterans who qualify for this adaptive equipment registration waiver may also be exempt from Delaware’s steep Document Fee — effectively a vehicle sales tax applied when titling a car. The rate is 5.25% of the purchase price or NADA book value, whichever is higher; it rose from 4.25% on 1 October 2025, so older guides still quote the lower figure. On a $35,000 vehicle that is roughly $1,800, which makes this waiver worth considerably more than every other benefit on this page put together.

Surviving Spouse Provisions: Transferring the Delaware DAV Plate After the Veteran Passes Away

Upon the death of a disabled veteran who held a Delaware DAV or DAV-HP plate, the surviving spouse may transfer the plate to a vehicle they own, provided the vehicle meets the weight and class requirements. No additional fee beyond the standard annual registration fee is required for this transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions