Oklahoma calls its disabled veteran plate the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) plate, and it is a completely different benefit from the state’s Purple Heart plate. The two have different eligibility rules, different application paths, and entirely different financial impacts on your annual vehicle registration.
This guide covers both, including how to maximize your tax benefits and the exact order of operations to get your plate without delays.
Quick Comparison: Which Plate is Right for You?
Before diving into the paperwork, here is the most important financial distinction: while both plates waive the “special license plate fee,” only the DAV plate reduces your annual vehicle registration cost.
| Feature | Disabled American Veteran (DAV) | Purple Heart |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Requirement | 50%+ service-connected rating | Proof of Purple Heart award |
| Annual Registration Fee | $5 flat rate | Standard sliding scale (up to $96) |
| Handicapped Parking | Optional (Requires existing placard) | Not tied to handicapped parking |
| Application Form | Form 751-J | Form 751-K |
Strategic Tip: If you qualify for both the DAV plate and the Purple Heart plate, it is far more cost-effective to put the DAV plate on your primary vehicle to lock in the $5 registration rate.
1. The Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Plate
The Financial Benefits
Securing a DAV plate drops your standard Oklahoma vehicle registration fee to a flat $5 per year for up to two vehicles.
Additionally, if you are rated at 100% disabled and hold an Oklahoma Sales Tax Exemption Card (Form 599), you are entirely exempt from the 3.25% motor vehicle excise tax when purchasing and registering a vehicle (limited to one vehicle every three years).
Who Qualifies
To qualify, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- A service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or greater, certified by the VA or your branch of service.
- You have been awarded a vehicle by the U.S. government.
- You receive a VA grant for the purchase of an automobile due to a service-connected disability or the loss of use of a limb or eye.
How to Apply for an Oklahoma DAV License Plate (Form 751-J
If you want the international accessibility (wheelchair) symbol on your DAV plate, order matters. Follow these steps exactly to avoid having your application rejected.
- Secure a Handicap Placard (Skip this step if you do not need the wheelchair symbol)
- A 50% rating does not automatically grant handicapped parking. To get the accessibility symbol on your plate, you must first hold a valid physical disability parking placard. Apply for one using Form DPS 302DC (requires a physician’s signature).
- Complete Form 751-J
- Fill out the Application for a Disabled American Veteran License Plate. If you completed Step 1, you must list your handicap placard number and expiration date directly on this form to get the accessibility version of the plate.
- Gather Your Documents and Payment
- You will need a copy of your VA awards letter (or your Form 599), current vehicle insurance verification, and your payment. The fee is $13.10 total ($5 plate fee + $1.50 insurance fee + $6.60 mail fee).
- Mail the Application
- Send your complete packet to: Service Oklahoma, PO Box 26940, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0940. Allow about four weeks for processing. Subsequent renewals can be handled in person at a local tag office.
2. The Oklahoma Purple Heart License Plate
The Purple Heart plate does not require a specific disability rating — only documentation that you were awarded the Purple Heart (such as your DD-214). Under Oklahoma law, eligible applicants include the recipient or their unremarried surviving spouse.
The Catch: Registration Fees Still Apply
While Purple Heart plates are exempt from special license plate production fees, they do not grant you the $5 flat annual registration rate. You will still have to pay the standard Oklahoma vehicle registration sliding-scale fee every year.
How to Apply
You can apply using Form 751-K in person at a Service Oklahoma location, or by mailing your application and supporting award documentation to the Service Oklahoma address listed above.
Conclusion:
Start by confirming which benefit fits your situation: if you have a 50 percent or higher service-connected rating, Form 751-J is your path to the DAV plate. If your qualifying event is the Purple Heart itself, you don’t need a disability rating at all — just your award documentation. Either way, having your VA letter, DD-214, and current insurance verification ready before you submit will keep your application moving through Service Oklahoma without the delays that come from missing paperwork.
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