Michigan issues two different Disabled Veteran license plates. While they look nearly identical on your bumper, the rules governing them are entirely different.
Depending on your exact VA disability rating, you will either receive a plate that is genuinely free for life with no annual paperwork, or a plate that bills you for registration renewals every year like a standard civilian plate. Here is how Michigan’s two-tier system works and exactly how to apply for the right one.
Michigan’s Two-Tier Disabled Veteran Plate System
The Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) splits its disabled veteran plates into a “Permanent” tier and a “Standard” tier. Your eligibility is strictly determined by your service-connected (SC) disability percentage.
| Plate Type | Minimum VA Rating | Registration Fee | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Plate | 100% P&T, or TDIU | $0 (Free for life) | Non-expiring |
| Standard Plate | 50% to 99% SC | Standard state fees apply | Annually on your birthday |
Note: If you have a 70% or 80% rating but are paid at the 100% rate due to Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), you qualify for the free Permanent Plate. The SOS does not issue a DV plate for veterans with a rating below 50%.
Essential Documents for Your Michigan DV Plate Application
Self-certification is not allowed. You must prove your eligibility using official documents before visiting the SOS branch office.
- Form BDVR-87: The Application for Veteran License Plate. You will use this form to select either the Permanent or Standard plate.
- VA Summary of Benefits Letter: Must clearly state your combined disability rating percentage or your TDIU status.
- DD-214: Your military discharge papers confirming an Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge.
- Vehicle Registration/Title: For the non-commercial passenger vehicle, pickup, or van you are registering. (Motorcycles and motor homes are not eligible).
- (Optional) Form MV-110: The Disability License Plate Application. You only need this if you also want disabled parking privileges (see below).
How to Apply for a Michigan Disabled Veteran Plate (Form BDVR-87)
- Download your VA Benefits Letter
- Log into VA.gov and print a fresh copy of your rating letter showing your exact percentage and TDIU status, if applicable.
- Complete Form BDVR-87
- Fill out the Application for Veteran License Plate, ensuring you check the correct box for the Permanent or Standard version based on your VA rating.
- Get a doctor’s signature on Form MV-110 (Required for handicapped parking access)
- If you need the wheelchair parking tab, a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant must complete and sign the medical certification section of Form MV-110.
- Submit your application to the SOS
- Bring all your forms, your DD-214, and your vehicle registration to your local SOS branch office (booking an appointment online is highly recommended), or mail your packet to the Internal Services Section in Lansing.
Important Warning: Michigan DV Plates Don’t Auto-Grant Handicap Parking
This is a critical detail: A Michigan Disabled Veteran plate does not automatically grant you disabled parking privileges.
Because many veterans have a 50%+ rating for non-mobility issues (like hearing loss or PTSD), the state does not print the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol) directly on the DV plate.
If your disability impairs your ability to walk, you must submit the medical Form MV-110 alongside your plate application. The SOS will issue you a special adhesive tab displaying the wheelchair symbol that you stick directly onto your DV plate. Issued free of charge, this tab legally authorizes you to park in handicapped spaces.
Other Michigan Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans
Veterans who qualify for the Tier 1 Permanent plate also qualify for significant statewide financial relief:
- Property Tax Exemption: Veterans with a 100% P&T rating or TDIU are fully exempt from property taxes on their primary residence. Crucial update: Under MCL 211.7c, once this exemption is granted by your local assessor, it remains in effect permanently. You no longer have to reapply for it every single year.
- Free State Park Entry: Vehicles displaying the Michigan Disabled Veteran plate receive free entry to all Michigan state parks and recreation areas.
- Veteran License Designation: You can add a red “Veteran” designation to the front of your Michigan driver’s license for free to easily prove your status for business discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The registration is non-expiring. You will not receive an annual renewal notice or owe a yearly fee. The only exception is if the state periodically reissues all physical plates statewide, at which point you will receive a replacement at no cost.
Michigan allows exactly one Disabled Veteran plate per qualifying applicant. You cannot put DV plates on additional vehicles you own unless a co-owner of that specific vehicle independently qualifies as a disabled veteran.
Yes. The surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran may transfer the DV plate to a vehicle titled in their own name and retain the benefits (including the fee waiver for the Permanent plate), provided they remain unremarried and do not already hold a DV plate of their own.
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