Vermont’s disabled veteran license plate program is built around a strict two-step certification process. Unlike most states where you take your military documents directly to the motor vehicle office, Vermont routes all veteran plate applications through the state’s Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) first.
If you walk into a DMV without prior OVA certification, you will be turned away. This guide walks you through exactly who qualifies, the fastest digital way to process your forms, and the specific medical requirements you must meet.
Standard vs. Disabled Veteran Plates
Vermont offers two primary plates for veterans. It is important to know the difference, as the documentation for each is entirely different.
| Feature | Standard Veteran Plate | Disabled Veteran Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Benefit | Military Recognition | Handicap Parking Privileges |
| Medical Form (VS-113) Required? | No | Yes (Doctor’s signature required) |
| Grants Handicap Parking? | No | Yes |
| OVA Certification (VG-168) Required? | Yes | Yes |
Who Is Eligible for Vermont Disabled Veteran License Plates?
To qualify for the Vermont Disabled Veteran license plate, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (verified via DD-214).
- Own a vehicle registered at the pleasure car rate, or a truck registered for less than 26,001 lbs.
- Have a qualifying severe mobility impairment. Because this plate grants disability parking access, you must have a medical condition that severely limits your ability to walk, verified by a medical professional. A VA disability rating alone (even 100% for non-mobility issues like PTSD) does not automatically qualify you for this specific plate.
Forms You Need for Vermont Disabled Veteran Tags
You cannot complete this process with just a DD-214. You must gather three specific documents:
- Form VG-168 (Vermont Certificate of Veteran Status): The core application that must be certified by the VT OVA.Vermont DMV
- Form VS-113 (Universal Medical Evaluation): Your physician must complete and sign this form to prove your mobility impairment. (Note: If you have already filed a medical form with the VT DMV within the last four years, you do not need to submit it again).
- DD-214: Your official discharge papers showing your character of service.
How to Apply Vermont Disabled Veteran License Plate
Do not start at the DMV. The fastest way to get your plates is to email your paperwork to the OVA before you ever set foot in a motor vehicle office.
- Complete the Medical Form
- Have your doctor complete and sign Form VS-113 to verify your mobility impairment.
- Email the Office of Veterans Affairs
- Complete Form VG-168. Email the completed form, along with a clear copy of your DD-214, to
[email protected].
- Complete Form VG-168. Email the completed form, along with a clear copy of your DD-214, to
- Wait for Certification Forwarding
- The VT Office of Veterans Affairs will review your DD-214, verify your eligibility, and officially certify your VG-168. They will forward the certified form directly to the DMV on your behalf.
- Visit the DMV
- Once the OVA confirms your certification has been sent, bring your medical form (VS-113) and your standard vehicle registration documents to any Vermont DMV office. Pay the standard registration fee, and the DMV will issue your Disabled Veteran plates.
Note: If you live near Montpelier, the Office of Veterans Affairs (118 State Street) is located next door to the DMV. You can walk your VG-168 and DD-214 into the OVA for on-the-spot certification, and then walk next door to the DMV to get your plates.
The Free Registration Misconception
Many veterans assume that a Disabled Veteran plate comes with free vehicle registration. In Vermont, standard vehicle registration fees apply to the Disabled Veteran plate.
There is only one exception: Vermont law (23 V.S.A. § 378) provides a complete DMV fee waiver only to veterans who acquired or modified their vehicle using a specific financial grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Form 21-4502). If this applies to you, no registration or title fees are charged for that vehicle during your lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Because it requires a medical certification (Form VS-113), Vermont treats the Disabled Veteran plate as a fully valid disability parking credential.
You can get the Standard Veteran Plate to recognize your service, but you cannot get the Disabled Veteran Plate. Vermont’s DV plate is strictly for veterans with physical mobility impairments that require handicap parking access.
No. None of Vermont’s veteran plates can be personalized or converted to vanity plates.
Vermont disabled veteran plates can be reissued and transferred to the surviving spouse. They cannot be transferred to other family members or third parties.
Conclusion:
Vermont’s disabled veteran license plate program is well-organized, but it requires working through the Office of Veterans Affairs before arriving at the DMV. Start by gathering your DD-214 and completing Forms VG-168 and VS-113 — then mail them to Montpelier for certification. For questions, contact the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs at 802-828-3379 or visit dmv.vermont.gov/military for current forms and detailed instructions.
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