In Montana, “tags” is the everyday word for license plates and vehicle registration. The Montana Disabled Veteran (DV) plate is one of the more straightforward veteran benefits in the state: it displays the letters “DV,” automatically includes parking privileges, and waives annual registration fees. Here is exactly who qualifies and how to apply through your county treasurer.
Who Qualifies for Montana’s DV Plate
Montana’s DV plate is available through either of two paths:
- Path 1: You received the Purple Heart and have a service-connected disability rated at 50% or higher. (Requires VA rating letter + DD-214 to prove the Purple Heart).
- Path 2: You are currently rated 100% disabled, or paid at the 100% disabled rate, for a service-connected disability. (Requires VA rating letter).
Does Montana’s DV Plate Include Parking Privileges?
In several other states, a disabled veteran plate and accessible parking privileges are two separate things. Montana simplifies this: the DV plate automatically acts as a disability placard, with no separate symbol version or extra parking application. That’s a real saving in effort — a standard Montana placard needs Form MV5 with a fresh medical certification every three years, and the DV plate needs neither.
What Does a Montana DV Plate Cost?
- Plate production cost: $12
- Annual renewal fee: None — registration fees are waived
- Veterans’ cemetery fee (passenger vehicle): None
- Veterans’ cemetery fee (motorcycle): $10
- Limitation: You can only apply the disabled veteran fee exemption to a maximum of two vehicles at a time.
How to Apply for Montana DV Plates Through Your County Treasurer
- Gather your current, freshly dated VA Summary of Benefits letter showing your qualifying rating. (If applying via the Purple Heart path, also bring your DD-214).
- Visit your County Treasurer’s Office. (Montana vehicle registration is handled at the county level, not a state DMV counter).
- Submit your documentation with your vehicle registration information. If the vehicle isn’t registered in Montana yet, you’ll need a Temporary Registration Permit first — the DV exemption applies to registration, not to getting the car legal in the first place.
- Pay the $12 production cost.
- Receive your DV plates, which immediately grant accessible parking privileges. Note: Montana does not accept the “Veteran” designation on your driver’s license as proof for the DV plate. You must bring the actual VA letter.
Renewing Your Montana DV Plate Each Year
While you do not pay a registration fee for your DV plates, you must renew your registration annually. Important: Montana requires you to present a new, freshly dated VA Summary of Benefits Letter every single year when you renew. You cannot rely on the letter you submitted last year; download a current letter from VA.gov right before you go to the treasurer’s office, or you will be charged full registration fees.
Registration Fee Reduction If You Keep Your Current Plates
If you’d rather keep a standard or specialty plate design, qualifying 100% disabled veterans can still apply the reduced registration fees to those plates. Note that personalised military plates cap at five characters — four on motorcycle plates. Ask your county treasurer how to apply the fee waiver to your current plates.
Surviving Spouse Benefits: Can the DV Plate Transfer?
The DV plate itself is strictly non-transferable; surviving spouses must return the plates and register the vehicle under standard procedures. However, unmarried surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans should look into the Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV), which offers significant property tax reductions on their primary residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The DV plate automatically functions as a disability placard for accessible parking.
No. Without the Purple Heart, Montana’s DV plate strictly requires a 100% disability rating (or being paid at the 100% rate). With the Purple Heart, the threshold is 50%.
No. You must present your official VA disability letter.
No. Applications and renewals go exclusively through your local County Treasurer’s office.
Conclusion
Download a current VA Summary of Benefits letter from VA.gov, locate your DD-214 (if applying via the Purple Heart path), and head to your County Treasurer’s office. Remember to set a calendar reminder to download a fresh VA letter next year when it’s time to renew.
Add Comment