Disabled Veteran parking license plates

Disabled veteran license plate 

​​​A Disabled Veteran Parking license plate is available to military veterans with an eligible permanent disability incurred while in active U.S. military service that limits or impairs the ability to walk. (Or see permanent disabled parking). The plate must be displayed when parking in a space reserved for persons with a physical disability.

Disabled veteran parking license plates are available to any Wisconsin motorist who is a veteran and is certified by an authorized VA& health care specialist as having a permanent disability incurred while in active U.S. military service that limits or impairs the ability to walk. This includes any person who:

  • Cannot walk 200 feet or more without stopping to rest
  • Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, another person or brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistance device
  • Is restricted by lung disease to the extent that forced expiratory volume for one second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest
  • Uses portable oxygen
  • Has a cardiac condition to the extent that functional limitations are classified in severity as class III or IV, according to standards accepted by the American Heart Association
  • Is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition

Who qualifies:

Vehicles that qualify:

  • Automobile
  • Motor home (annual registration only)
  • Private truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck that has a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less
  • A farm truck that has a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less

A motor vehicle displaying disabled veteran parking license plates issued by Wisconsin or any other state or country is subject to all Wisconsin motor vehicle laws and qualifies for these privileges:

  • May park in spaces marked by official traffic signs reserving the space for vehicles displaying DIS or VET plates or a Disabled parking identification (DIS ID) permit
  • Is exempt from any parking ordinance imposing time limits of one-half hour or more, and is subject to the laws relating to parking
  • May park at a municipally-owned/leased lot without payment in metered spaces when the time limit is one-half hour or more. Payment may be required for privately-owned parking lots or those with an attendant.
  • May obtain fuel from a full-service pump at the same price as the fuel from a self-service pump at locations with both types of service, if the driver is the person with the disability.

  • The vehicle must be titled to the Disabled Veteran in order to receive Disabled Veteran plates.
  • A person with Disabled Veteran parking license plates may be issued one permanent Disabled Parking identification (DIS ID) permit.
  • Standard disabled parking permit eligibility does not automatically qualify the applicant for Disabled Veteran license plate eligibility.
  • Disabled Veteran plate is one set design and cannot be customized to any military branch, service medal or military conflict.
  • If you are a licensed driver, the DMV may review your disability to make sure you are able to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of a motor vehicle. If the certifying health care specialist recommends a re-examination, you will be required to complete a knowledge, highway signs and road test to determine any license restrictions.
  • WisDOT may cancel Disabled Veteran parking license plates that were issued as a result of fraud or error or that were used by anyone not authorized to do so.
  • Disabled Veteran Parking plates are valid in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
  • Upon the death of the qualifying person, Disabled Veteran Parking license plates must be replaced with regular plates unless surviving spouse or heir has their own disabled veteran certification. Credit will be given for any remaining months of registration to the surviving spouse. (see Wisconsin DMV guide for family members of recently deceased.)
  • See below for information about other military-related special license plates. These plates do not provide special parking privileges.

Personalizing your Disabled Veteran Parking plates is optional. A $15 personalized plate fee is required each year in addition to the regular annual registration fee. Visit personalized and special plates FAQs.

How to apply for personalized license plates

  • Visit Personalized Plate Search to find out if your choice for a personalized license plate is available. WisDOT may refuse to issue, or may recall after issuance, a request that may be offensive to good taste or decency, misleading or conflicts with any other license plate.
  • Disabled Veteran plate is one set design and cannot be customized to any military branch, service medal or military conflict.
  • Please allow an additional 4-6 weeks for delivery. If you do not currently have disabled parking plates or an ID card, DMV can send a temporary disabled parking ID permit upon request for use until the personalized plates arrive.

Information on military-related specialty license plates

Disabled Veteran Parking license plates are not available at DMV customer service centers.

Apply by mail

  1. Download and complete the U.S. Disabled Veteran Parking License Plates Application MV2172 - Applicant Section
  2. Have your VA health care specialist complete the VA certification section.
  3. If you wish to receive one permanent DIS ID permit, check the box under the DIS ID permit information section.
    • When using the DIS ID permit, you must keep a copy of the completed application on your person or in the vehicle and provide it to any traffic officer.
    • Please make and keep a copy of the application, signed by your health care specialist, before sending the application to WisDOT.
  4. Check whether you want personalized or non-personalized Disabled Veteran Parking license plates under the Personalized plate section.
  5. Send the following items:
    • If the vehicle you want to register with Disabled Veteran Parking plates is already titled in your name, send the following items:
      • Completed disabled Veteran Parking License Plates application
        • Include the vehicle description or send a copy of your Certificate of Registration with the application
      • $15 personalized plate fee, if applying for personalized plates

      OR

    • If the vehicle you want to register with Disabled Veteran Parking plates is NOT titled in your name, send the following items with the completed application:
      • The title signed over to you
      • A completed Wisconsin Title & License Plates Application MV1 (private sale) or MV11 (dealer sale)
      • A completed U.S. Disabled Veteran Parking License Plates application
      • All required fees, including the annual registration fee or show a valid plate to transfer
      • $15 personalized plate fee, if apply for personalized plates
  6. The annual registration fee if you do not have plates or your current plates expire within the next three months
  7. If a payment is needed, make the check or money order made payable to Registration Fee Trust.
  8. Mail with payment to:
    WisDOT
    Special Plates Unit - DIS
    P.O. Box 7306
    Madison WI 53707-7306

WisDOT complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

​Questions?

Special Plates Unit
Email Wisconsin DMV email service
Phone (608) 266-3041
Fax (608) 267-5106