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Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver

Service-connected disabled veterans with a VA rating of 10% or higher are exempt from the license plate issuance fee on their first plate.

State BenefitAlabamaTransportation

Verified May 12, 2026 against revenue.alabama.gov

At a glance

Benefit type
Transportation — Alabama
Who it's for
Veterans
VA rating needed
10% or higher
Where it applies
Alabama
Last verified
May 12, 2026

What is Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver?

Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver is a Alabama transportation benefit for veterans. Service-connected disabled veterans with a VA rating of 10% or higher are exempt from the license plate issuance fee on their first plate. Requires 10%+ VA disability rating.

Who qualifies

  • Veterans
  • Requires 10%+ VA disability rating
  • Alabama residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Alabama agency.

Open application

Who is eligible

Eligibility

A resident of Alabama who is a service-connected disabled veteran. The license plate issuance fee exemption applies to a disabled veteran who qualifies for a partial or full exemption from privilege license taxes, registration fees, or ad valorem taxes under Alabama Code Sections 32-6-130, 40-12-244, or 40-12-254. Effective January 1, 2022.

What Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver covers

Coverage

Under Alabama Code Section 40-12-271.1, a qualifying disabled veteran is exempt from the license plate issuance fee provided in Section 40-12-271. The first (qualifying) plate is exempt from both registration fees and license plate issuance fees. For a disability rating of 51% or higher, the registrant must pay a $5 annual fee for subsequent license plates; for a rating of 10-50%, subsequent plates require full payment of all applicable fees. The registrant is NOT exempt from ad valorem (property) taxes (unless the vehicle is VA-funded). This plate may not be personalized or transferred between vehicle owners, and the surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may not obtain or retain the plate.

Important to know

Regular (non-disabled) veteran distinctive plates are not automatically exempt from the issuance fee; the issuance fee exemption under Section 40-12-271.1 applies to disabled veterans who already qualify for an exemption under Sections 32-6-130, 40-12-244, or 40-12-254.

How to apply for Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver

How to apply

Provide a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating certification plus one of the following: proper military identification card, DD-214, or an affidavit from Veterans Affairs. Apply at the county tag/licensing office.

Verified information & sources

Last verified
May 12, 2026
Official source
revenue.alabama.gov

Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

How VetUnlock verifies benefits

Frequently asked questions about Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver

Who qualifies for Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver?

Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver is for Veterans; requires 10%+ VA disability rating; alabama residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.

What VA disability rating do I need for Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver?

Requires 10%+ VA disability rating.

How do I apply for Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver?

Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

Where can I verify Disabled Veteran License Plate Issuance Fee Waiver?

Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.

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