North Dakota operates a strict but incredibly generous disabled veteran license plate program. Unlike states that offer tiered benefits for lower ratings, North Dakota reserves its official Disabled American Veteran (DAV) plates exclusively for those with a 100% rating.
If you meet this threshold, the financial and practical benefits are massive. However, outdated forms and incorrect application instructions frequently cause delays. Here is exactly what the DAV plate covers, the correct form you actually need to use, and how to apply.
Who Qualifies for North Dakota’s DAV License Plate?
To qualify for North Dakota’s DAV license plate, you must meet one of the following conditions as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
- 100% Service-Connected: You have a 100% service-connected disability rating, or you have an extra-schedular rating (TDIU) that brings your total disability rating to 100% unemployability.
- Federal Vehicle Grant: You meet the eligibility requirements under Public Law 79-663 (which authorizes the VA to provide automobiles to severely disabled veterans).
Note: Veterans with a rating of 90% or below do not qualify for the fee-exempt DAV plate. They may still purchase a standard “Veterans Number Plate” by paying standard registration fees.
Documents Required for the North Dakota DAV Plate Application
Crucial Form Correction: Many sources mistakenly tell veterans to use Form SFN 51628. That form is for standardveteran and Purple Heart plates. To get the fee-exempt DAV plate, you must use the standard title application.
- Form SFN 2872: The Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Vehicle. You must write Exemption Code 14 on this form to claim your veteran fee waiver.
- VA Certification Letter: A letter directly from the VA explicitly confirming your 100% rating or PL 79-663 eligibility.
- Proof of Vehicle Ownership: The current title or registration in your name.
How to Apply for North Dakota DAV License Plates
- Download your VA Benefits Letter
- Log into your VA.gov portal and download a current Summary of Benefits letter confirming your 100% or TDIU status.
- Complete Form SFN 2872 (Use Exemption Code 14)
- Fill out the standard Application for Certificate of Title & Registration. Be sure to note Exemption Code 14 to trigger the registration and excise tax waivers.
- Submit to the ND DOT
- Submit your completed SFN 2872, your VA letter, and your vehicle title to your local North Dakota Motor Vehicle office, or mail it to: ND DOT Motor Vehicle Division, 608 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505.
North Dakota DAV Plate Benefits: Fees, Tax, and Parking
The DAV plate provides three massive benefits under North Dakota Century Code (NDCC):
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| No Annual Registration Fees | Qualifying veterans are fully exempt from paying annual license/registration fees on up to two motor vehicles. |
| Excise (Sales) Tax Exemption | Under NDCC 39-04-18(2)(j), vehicles registered with the DAV plate are fully exempt from the state excise tax. This applies to up to two passenger vehicles or pickup trucks (under 26,000 lbs). |
| Built-In Disabled Parking | Under NDCC 39-01-15, vehicles displaying the North Dakota DAV plate are legally authorized to park in designated handicap spots statewide. You do not need a separate blue placard. |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. North Dakota’s DAV plates legally function as a disability parking credential. You can park in designated handicap spaces without an additional placard.
The exemption applies to passenger motor vehicles and pickup trucks not exceeding 26,000 pounds registered gross weight.
Yes, but with limitations. A surviving spouse who has not remarried and who is receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA retains the DAV fee exemption for one vehicle.
If you qualify for both the DAV plate and standard mobility impairment, you can request DAV Mobility Impaired Plates or a separate portable placard to use when riding in vehicles that do not have your DAV plates on them.
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