In Kansas, “tags” is just the everyday word for license plates, and the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles oversees the disabled veteran tag program statewide.
However, the application process confuses many veterans because outdated forms and instructions imply you need a “VA Regional Director” to physically sign your paperwork. You do not. Here is the modern, streamlined way to get your Kansas Disabled Veteran plate, and the crucial difference between the two versions the state offers.
Kansas’s Two Disabled Veteran Tag Options Explained
Effective in 2022, Kansas split its Disabled Veteran license plate into two categories based on whether you also meet the state’s medical definition of a “disabled citizen.” Both plates waive your vehicle registration fees, but they carry different parking privileges.
| Plate Version | Minimum VA Rating | Doctor’s Signature Required? | Disabled Parking Privileges |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Wheelchair Symbol (ISA) | 50% Service-Connected | Yes (Must certify mobility limitation) | Full Access (Public and private disabled spaces) |
| Without Wheelchair Symbol | 50% Service-Connected | No | Limited (Free metered parking and public lots only) |
Note: Veterans who have a 50%+ rating but do not have a mobility impairment (e.g., PTSD, hearing loss) should apply for the plate without the symbol.
Who Qualifies for a Kansas Disabled Veteran Plate?
To qualify, you must be a Kansas resident (or a service member stationed in Kansas), the vehicle must be titled or leased in your name, and you must meet one of the following criteria:
- 50% or Greater Rating: You have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Statutory Loss: You receive VA compensation for the loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet or hands, or severe permanent visual impairment of both eyes.
Required Documents (And the “Regional Director” Myth)
The official application — Form TR-103 — has a prominent section that asks for the signature of the “Regional Director of the Veterans Administration.” Tracking down this signature is notoriously difficult, but the state provides an alternative. You do not need this signature if you provide your official VA Benefits Letter.
- Form TR-103 (Application for Disabled Veterans License Plate): Completed and signed by you. If you want the wheelchair symbol, a licensed medical professional must sign Section C.
- VA Summary of Benefits Letter: Must clearly state your 50%+ service-connected rating. Download a current copy instantly from your VA eBenefits portal.
- Proof of Auto Insurance.
- Vehicle Title or Registration.
How to Apply for a Kansas Disabled Veteran Tag
- Download your VA Benefits Letter
- Log into VA.gov and print a fresh copy of your rating letter. This replaces the need for the VA Regional Director’s signature on the state form.
- Get physician certification on Form TR-103 (Required only for the wheelchair symbol plate)
- If your disability limits your mobility and you want full disabled parking access, have your doctor, chiropractor, or physician assistant complete Section C of the TR-103 form.
- Visit your County Treasurer’s Motor Vehicle Office (Registration is handled at the county level, not the state level)
- Bring your TR-103, VA letter, vehicle title, and proof of insurance to your local county treasurer. Do not mail this to the state capital.
Parking Rules: Why You Must Carry Your Kansas DV ID Card
Even if you get the plate with the wheelchair symbol, Kansas law (K.S.A. 8-161) mandates an extra step to use disabled parking legally.
When the state issues your DV plate, they will also give you an individual identification card. You must carry this card in your wallet whenever the vehicle is parked in a designated accessible parking space. If law enforcement asks for it and you don’t have it, you can be ticketed, even if you have the proper plate.
- For the plate without the symbol: Motor vehicles displaying the standard DV plate without the wheelchair emblem cannot legally park in standard private handicapped spaces (like at a grocery store). However, state law allows them to park without charge in any city metered zone, and in accessible spaces within public/government-operated parking facilities.
Registration Fees vs. Personal Property Taxes in Kansas
This is the most common point of confusion at the treasurer’s counter:
- Registration Fee: Your first Disabled Veteran plate is completely free — no initial registration fee and no annual renewal fee.
- Personal Property Tax: Kansas assesses vehicle property tax separately from registration fees. You must still pay your annual personal property tax on the vehicle, even though the plate itself is free.
- Additional Vehicles: You can get DV plates for additional vehicles, but you must pay the standard registration fees and property taxes for those secondary cars.
Additional Financial Perks for Disabled Kansas Veterans
Separate from vehicle plates, Kansas offers significant financial relief for disabled veterans:
- Property Tax Refund (K-40SVR): Kansas does not offer a traditional upfront property tax exemption. Instead, veterans with a 50% or greater permanent disability can claim a refund on their home’s property taxes by filing Form K-40SVR with the Kansas Department of Revenue.
- Sales Tax Exemption: Starting July 1, 2026, Kansas veterans with a 100% permanent and total (P&T) rating or TDIU are exempt from paying state sales tax on personal purchases up to $24,000 per year (excluding vehicles and alcohol).
- Discounted State Parks: Kansas residents who display the DV plate with the wheelchair symbol can purchase a reduced-cost annual vehicle park permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas vehicle registration is handled exclusively through your local county treasurer’s motor vehicle office, not a separate state-level DMV counter.
Not necessarily. If you already hold a DV plate and are simply registering a replacement vehicle, you can present your current registration receipt at the county treasurer’s office instead of completing a brand-new application.
Form TR-103 is specifically for the permanent license plate. If you also want a portable blue hangtag placard to use when riding in a spouse’s or friend’s vehicle, ask your county treasurer for Form TR-159 (Disabled Placard Application).
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