43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.26 – Military Specialty License Plates

(a) Purpose and Scope. Transportation Code, Chapter 504 authorizes the department to issue military specialty license plates. This section prescribes the policies and procedures for the application, issuance, and renewal of military specialty license plates.
(b) Classification.
1. (1) Meritorious Service. There are no fees for the first set of specialty license plates. Registration fees and any additional fees will be collected at the time of registration for additional sets. These plates include:
  1. (A) Congressional Medal of Honor;
  2. (B) Legion of Valor, consisting of Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross;
  3. (C) Legion of Merit;
  4. (D) Silver Star;
  5. (E) Bronze Star and Bronze Star with Valor;
  6. (F) Distinguished Service Medal;
  7. (G) Defense Superior Service Medal; and
  8. (H) Air Medal and Air Medal with Valor.
2. (2) Recognition Award. The first set of specialty license plates is $3 and no registration fee is collected. Registration fees and any additional fees will be collected at the time of registration for additional sets. These plates include:
  1. (A) Former Prisoner of War (POW);
  2. (B) Disabled Veteran;
  3. (C) Purple Heart; and
  4. (D) Pearl Harbor Survivor.
3. (3) Issued to members or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. There is no charge for the specialty plate, however, registration fees and any additional fees collected at the time of registration apply. These plates include:
  1. (A) World War II, Korea, Vietnam Operations, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, Desert Storm and Desert Shield;
  2. (B) Coast Guard Auxiliary;
  3. (C) Armed Forces Reserved;
  4. (D) U.S. Paratrooper;
  5. (E) Marine Corps League;
  6. (F) Texas Guard (National and State);
  7. (G) Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol;
  8. (H) Woman Veteran;
  9. (I) U.S. Air Force;
  10. (J) U.S. Army;
  11. (K) U.S. Coast Guard;
  12. (L) U.S. Marine Corps; or
  13. (M) U.S. Navy.
4. (4) Honorably discharged and retired. The following license plates may include the words "Honorably Discharged" or "Retired" if the applicant is a former member of one of the following branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and meets eligibility criteria as established in Transportation Code, Chapter 504:
  1. (A) U.S. Air Force;
  2. (B) U.S. Army;
  3. (C) U.S. Coast Guard;
  4. (D) U.S. Marine Corps; or
  5. (E) U.S. Navy.
(c) Surviving spouse license plates.
1. (1) The surviving spouse of a deceased Disabled Veteran may apply for "Surviving Spouse Disabled Veteran" specialty license plates, if proof exists that Disabled Veteran License Plates were issued to the veteran prior to the time of death, and the surviving spouse remains unmarried. The first set of specialty license plates is $3 and no registration fee is collected. Registration fees and additional fees will be collected at the time of registration for additional sets.
2. (2) The surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who, prior to death, had been issued other military specialty plates, may apply for and continue to register one vehicle and pay the fee applicable for that military specialty license plate. The surviving spouse must remain unmarried to remain eligible.
(d) Application. Applications for military specialty license plates must be made to the department and include evidence of eligibility. The evidence of eligibility may include, but is not limited to:
1. (1) an official document issued by a governmental entity;
2. (2) a letter issued by a governmental entity on that agency's letterhead;
3. (3) discharge papers; or
4. (4) a death certificate.
(e) Period.
1. (1) Military Vehicle license plates and registration numbers are issued for a five-year period.
2. (2) The registration for Congressional Medal of Honor license plates expires each March 31.
(f) Assignment and Transfer. Military plates may not be assigned and may only be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same vehicle owner.
(g) Applicability. Section 217.28 of this subchapter (relating to Specialty License Plates, Symbols, Tabs, and Other Devices) applies to military plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices as to:
1. (1) what is considered one set of plates per vehicle as determined by vehicle type;
2. (2) issuance of validation tabs and insignia;
3. (3) stolen or replaced plates;
4. (4) payment of other applicable fees;
5. (5) personalization, except that Congressional Medal of Honor plates may not be personalized;
6. (6) renewal, except that the owner of a vehicle with Congressional Medal of Honor license plates must return the documentation and specialty license plate fee, if any, directly to the department;
7. (7) refunds; and
8. (8) expiration.

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.26 adopted to be effective August 9, 2012, 37 TexReg 5816; amended to be effective February 6, 2014, 39 TexReg 503.