Indiana currently has the following license plates available to eligible veterans:
Hoosier Veteran Plates:
Any resident of the State who was honorably separated from the active Armed Forces can purchase a Hoosier Veteran license plate. Simply take your DD-214 or your Discharge Certificate to your local BMV office and request the special plate. There is a $15 charge for the Hoosier Veteran plate.
Disabled Veteran Plates:
IC 9-18.5-5-1
Individuals eligible for a disabled Hoosier veteran license plate
Sec. 1. (a) An individual may apply for, receive, and display a disabled Hoosier veteran license plate on the individual's vehicle for private and personal use if the individual, as the result of having served in the armed forces of the United States, has:
(1) lost sight in both eyes or suffered permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to the extent of being eligible for service connected compensation for the loss;
(2) suffered the loss of one (1) or both feet or the permanent loss of use of one (1) or both feet;
(3) suffered the loss of one (1) or both hands or the permanent loss of use of one (1) or both hands;
(4) a United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating for a physical condition that precludes the individual from walking without pain or difficulty; or
(5) been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as being at least fifty percent (50%) disabled and is receiving service related compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. At least sixty percent (60%) of the disability rating under this subdivision must be attributable to a mobility disability.
(b) An application for a disabled Hoosier veteran license plate must be accompanied by a certificate from the:
(1) United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(2) appropriate branch of the armed forces of the United States;
confirming the eligibility of the individual submitting the application for the disabled Hoosier veteran license plate.
[Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-18-1.]
As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.
http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar18/ch18.html#IC9-18-18-1
* Note: Veterans can obtain a plate or a placard for each registered vehicle they own.
IC 9-18.5-4-1 Prisoner of war license plate
Ex-Prisoner of War Plates:
Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the bureau shall issue license plates for a vehicle that designate the vehicle as being owned or leased by a former prisoner of war.
(b) The bureau may issue one (1) or more former prisoner of war license plates to the surviving spouse of a former prisoner of war.
[Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-17-1.]
As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.
The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs must verify the eligibility of the applicant. Ref: IC 9-18-17-1.
IC 9-18.5-6 Purple Heart License Plates
Purple Heart Plates:
Sec. 1. (a) The bureau shall design a license plate that will designate a vehicle as being registered to:
(1) an individual; or
(2) the surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of an individual;
who has been awarded a Purple Heart decoration.
(b) Upon proper application, the bureau may modify a license plate designed under subsection (a)(1) to designate a vehicle as being registered to an individual who is:
(1) described in subsection (a)(1); and
(2) eligible to be issued:
(A) a placard under IC 9-14-5 (before its repeal) or IC 9-18.5-8; or
(B) a person with a disability registration plate under IC 9-18.5-8.
An individual described in subsection (a)(2) is not eligible to receive a modified license plate under this subsection.
(c) An individual who:
(1) knowingly; or
(2) intentionally;
falsely professes to have the qualifications to obtain a license plate under subsection (b) commits a Class C misdemeanor.
(d) An individual who owns a vehicle bearing a license plate issued under subsection (b) and knows that the individual is not entitled to a license plate issued under subsection (b) commits a Class C misdemeanor.
[Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-19-1.]
As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.29-2021, SEC.2.
Click HERE for the APPLICATION FOR DISABLED HOOSIER VETERAN/ PURPLE HEART/ FORMER POW/MIA LICENSE PLATE
Support Our Troops Plates
Effective January 1, 2007, this special plate with a yellow ribbon is now available for purchase by all Hoosiers, whether or not they are a veteran. Most of the proceeds from this plate will go into the Military Family Relief Fund.
Gold Star Plate
The Gold Star Family license plate is available to the spouses, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, or children of anyone who died while serving on duty in the military – active, Reserve or National Guard. There is no additional cost for the Gold Star Family license plate. Regular vehicle registration fees and taxes still apply. To be eligible for the plate, family members must provide an official DD Form 1300 from the Department of Defense. In many cases the Department of Defense issues only one copy of the DD Form 1300, normally to the person who is listed as the next-of-kin. In those cases, the next-of-kin will need to be contacted by other family members and a copy of the form obtained from him/her. This plate will be available at license branches and other customer service locations. You will be able to display this plate on passenger cars, trucks up to 11,000 pounds, and recreational vehicles. For more information go to: https://www.in.gov/bmv/2620.htm
Prisoner of War - Missing In Action Plate (current POWs/MIAs)
The Prisoner Of War - Missing In Action license plate sponsored by Indiana Rolling Thunder honors all Hoosier veterans who are currently missing in action or listed as prisoners of war. Funds from the sales of this plate will go to the Veterans Assistance Trust Fund established by the General Assembly in 2007 to assist veterans and their families in times of financial hardship. The cost of the Prisoner Of War - Missing In Action license plate includes vehicle registration fees and taxes, a group fee of $25, and an administrative fee of $15. This plate is available online through myBMV, at license branches, and at other customer service locations. You will be able to display this plate on passenger cars, trucks up to 11,000 pounds, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. Sponsoring Organization: Indiana Rolling Thunder, P.O. Box 40175, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240. For more information, go to: https://www.in.gov/bmv/2620.htm
All plates may be purchased through the mail or at your local license branch. All plates except the Hoosier Veteran, Gold Star and the Prisoner of War - Missing In Action plates must be applied for through the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The Hoosier Veteran plate does not require the completion of an application form, as do the other veteran plates. For more information on each plate, see eligibility for veteran license plates.
The application form may be downloaded and then either mailed, faxed, or brought to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (phone numbers and address are on the form). Applications for the Purple Heart plate must include documentation of the award. Applications for a Disabled Veteran plate must have the VA claim number. Approved applications are returned by mail to the applicant. They cannot be faxed since the required embossed seal on approved applications must be visible. Most applications will be approved within two (2) days after receipt. Applications may also be completed in person at the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, 777 North Meridian Street Suite 300, Indianapolis between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. It is recommended that you call first to be sure an approving authority will be available. In the Indianapolis calling area: 232-3910. Toll free in Indiana: 1/800/400-4520.