Florida DV License Plate 2026: Eligibility, Fees & Application

Florida Disabled Veteran License Plate: Requirements and How to Apply

Florida offers one free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate to qualifying Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. You must be a Florida resident for five continuous years or have established domicile under Florida law, and you must provide proof of your disability rating from the VA. Apply at your county tax collector’s office with HSMV Form 83007, proof of residency, proof of eligibility, and a copy of your vehicle registration.

Quick Facts

What Is a Florida Disabled Veteran License Plate?

A Florida Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is a special license plate issued to honorably discharged Veterans who have been determined by the VA to have a 100% service-connected disability rating. Florida law provides one free DV motor vehicle license plate for use on any motor vehicle owned or leased by a qualifying disabled Veteran, under Section 320.084, Florida Statutes.

The DV plate program matters because it provides tangible benefits that reduce costs for disabled Veterans:

• One free license plate — the first DV plate is tax-free and not subject to annual use tax.

• No parking fees — no state agency, county, municipality, or agency thereof may charge the driver of a vehicle displaying a DV plate any fee for parking on public streets, highways, or in metered parking spaces.

• Airport parking exemption — legislation prohibits publicly owned or operated airports from charging parking fees to vehicles displaying certain disabled veteran license plates.

• Free toll passage — licensed drivers who operate a vehicle specially equipped for the handicapped and certified by a physician or the VA as having permanent upper limb impairments that substantially affect their ability to deposit coins in toll baskets shall pass free through all toll gates.

• Retention of plate designation — under SB 1352 (effective July 1, 2026), a disabled Veteran may retain the unique alphanumeric designation assigned to the DV license plate upon reissuance, renewal, or transfer of the plate.

The DV plate itself identifies the vehicle as belonging to a disabled Veteran. The license number of each plate issued under this section is identified by the letter designation “DV”. Upon request, the department is authorized to issue a designation plate containing only the letters “DV,” to be displayed on the front of the vehicle.

Florida DV License Plate Eligibility Requirements

You may qualify for a Florida DV license plate if you meet three core requirements: you served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were honorably discharged, you have been a Florida resident continuously for the preceding five years or have established domicile in Florida, and you meet at least one of the three disability criteria below.

The Three Qualifying Disability Criteria

Under Section 320.084(1), Florida Statutes, you must provide proof of at least one of the following:

Florida Residency Requirement

You must have been a resident of Florida continuously for the preceding five years, or you must have established domicile in Florida as provided by Section 222.17(1), (2), or (3), Florida Statutes. If you have not lived in Florida for five years, you may still qualify by filing a Declaration of Domicile with the Clerk of Circuit Court in your Florida county.

Accepted proof of Florida residency includes:

• Florida driver license

• A copy of your Declaration of Domicile, properly filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court

• Florida Voter Information Card

• An affidavit stating you have been a resident of Florida continuously for the preceding five years

Honorable Discharge

You must have been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces. You will need to present your DD-214 or other discharge documents as proof.

Free Wheelchair Emblem Plate

Free license plates with a wheelchair emblem are available for veterans permanently confined to a wheelchair who otherwise qualify for a DV plate. The wheelchair-emblem plate is issued in lieu of the standard DV plate and provides the same parking privileges.

How to Apply for a Florida Disabled Veteran License Plate

Applying for a Florida DV license plate is done in person at your county tax collector’s office or a license plate agency. The plate can be issued on demand by the tax collector, meaning you can receive it the same day you apply, effective July 1, 2026 under SB 1352.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Gather your documents. You will need the items listed in the Required Documents section below. Make sure your proof of disability and proof of residency are current and complete.

2. Complete HSMV Form 83007. This is the Application for a Disabled, Disabled Veteran or Motorcycle International Wheelchair Symbol License Plate. The form requires your personal information, vehicle information, and a certifying practitioner’s statement if applying for the wheelchair-emblem version.

3. Visit your county tax collector’s office. Submit your completed form and all supporting documents to your local tax collector or license plate agency. Visit flhsmv.gov/offices to find the nearest location.

4. Present your proof of eligibility. Provide your VA identification card or letter from the VA or Armed Services certifying your 100% service-connected disability rating. Under Section 320.084(2), this is prima facie evidence of your eligibility.

5. Pay any applicable fees. Your first DV plate is free of charge. However, a service charge under Section 320.04 applies for each initial application or renewal of registration, plus an additional 50 cents on each license plate and validation sticker.

6. Receive your plate. The tax collector is authorized to issue the DV plate immediately on demand. Your plate will be red, white, and blue — similar to the colors of the United States flag.

How to Renew Your DV Plate

DV license plates are renewed annually or biennially during the applicable renewal period. The renewal form includes a certified statement as to your continued eligibility to receive the DV plate.

To renew, you will need to submit proof of Florida insurance and a statement of continued eligibility. Renewals can be completed at your tax collector’s office, by mail, or online through the MyDMV portal where available.

Important: If you falsely or fraudulently submit the certified statement of continued eligibility, you are guilty of a noncriminal violation and subject to a civil penalty of $50.

Required Documents for a Florida DV License Plate

The documents you need fall into three categories: proof of disability, proof of Florida residency, and proof of vehicle registration and insurance.

Proof of Disabled Veteran Eligibility

Under Section 320.084(2), Florida Statutes, you can provide any one of the following:

Proof of Florida Residency

You must provide one of the following:

• Florida driver license

• Declaration of Domicile filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court

• Florida Voter Information Card

• Affidavit stating continuous Florida residency for the preceding five years

Vehicle Documents

Wheelchair Emblem Plate Additional Requirement

If you are applying for the wheelchair-emblem version of the DV plate, the “Physician/Certifying Practitioner’s Statement of Certification” section of HSMV Form 83007 must be completed by a certifying medical authority to verify your mobility impairment. Acceptable certifying authorities include a Florida-licensed physician, podiatric physician, optometrist (sight only), advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.

Fees and Costs for a Florida DV License Plate

The first Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is issued free of charge. The first DV or DV Wheelchair license plate is tax-free and not subject to the annual use tax.

If you qualify for a DV plate but choose a military license plate or specialty license plate instead, you must pay all applicable fees related to that plate, except for fees otherwise waived under subsections (1) and (4) of Section 320.084.

Additional Disabled Veteran license plates may be issued by charging the regular registration tax and applicable fees. However, only one tax-free DV or DV Wheelchair license plate can be issued to each disabled Veteran with a 100% service-connected disability.

Florida DV License Plate Parking and Toll Benefits

A Florida DV license plate entitles you to specific parking and toll benefits that reduce your daily transportation costs.

Free Parking on Public Streets and Metered Spaces

No state agency, county, municipality, or agency thereof may charge the driver of a vehicle displaying a DV license plate any fee for parking on public streets, highways, or in any metered parking space. This exemption applies broadly across Florida.

Important limitation: Disabled veterans who have been issued a DV plate may only park in designated handicapped parking spaces if they also have a mobility impairment. The DV plate by itself does not automatically grant accessible parking privileges. If you have a mobility impairment and need to use handicapped parking spaces, you should apply for the disabled parking plate with the wheelchair emblem to avoid possible fines and penalties.

Airport Parking Exemption

Florida law prohibits the governing body of each publicly owned or publicly operated airport from charging parking fees to vehicles displaying certain disabled veteran license plates. This can save you significant costs when traveling from Florida airports.

Free Toll Passage

Licensed drivers who operate a vehicle specially equipped for the handicapped and are certified by a licensed physician or the VA as having permanent upper limb impairments that substantially affect their ability to deposit coins in toll baskets shall pass free through all toll gates. A window sticker from the Florida Department of Transportation must be obtained and displayed.

Comparison: DV Plate vs. Wheelchair Emblem Plate

Military and Specialty License Plate Options for Disabled Veterans

Under SB 736 (2024), a disabled Veteran who qualifies for the DV license plate may be issued a military license plate or specialty license plate in lieu of the Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate.

What This Means

If you qualify for a free DV plate, you can choose to display a military license plate (such as a Purple Heart plate or Iraq campaign plate) or a specialty license plate instead. However, you must pay all applicable fees related to the military or specialty license plate, except for the fees that would otherwise be waived under the DV plate program.

Key points to understand:

• You may only receive one free plate under this program.

• A military or specialty license plate elected in lieu of the DV plate does not provide the protections or rights afforded by Florida Statutes 316.1955, 316.1964, 320.0848, 526.141, and 553.5041 — the parking and accessibility statutes.

• The elected plate is not eligible for the international symbol of accessibility.

If you want both the free DV plate and a military or specialty plate, you would need to request the DV plate as your free plate and pay for the additional plate separately.

Available Military License Plates

FLHSMV issues a wide range of military license plates, including:

• Air Force Combat Action Medal

• Army Commendation Medal

• Bronze Star

• Disabled Veteran

• Disabled Veteran Wheelchair

• Disabled Veteran Motorcycle

• Paralyzed Veterans of America

• Purple Heart

• National Guard

• Woman Veteran

• World War II Veteran

Personalized DV Plates

The maximum number of characters allowed on the Disabled Veteran personalized license plate has been increased to seven (7) characters to allow for additional configurations. Note that personalized Disabled Veteran license plates will not have the “DV” prefix on the license plate. There is an additional $15 annual fee for personalized license plates.

Florida Gold Star License Plate for Surviving Spouses

If you are the surviving spouse or surviving parent of a servicemember killed while serving, you may qualify for a Florida Gold Star license plate. The Gold Star plate is issued to family members of a servicemember killed while serving.

Who Qualifies

The surviving spouse and a surviving parent each get the Gold Star plate free of charge for up to three vehicles per household, with renewal decals at no cost. Every other qualifying relative — grandparent, child, stepchild, sibling, half sibling, foster parent, stepparent — pays the full license tax and fees.

To qualify, the applicant must be directly related to a fallen servicemember as spouse, legal mother or father, or stepparent who is currently married to the mother or father of the fallen servicemember. The plate is issued only to family members of a servicemember who resided in Florida at the time of death.

How to Apply

1. Take documentation of the servicemember’s death while serving AND proof of your relationship to them.

2. Ask about documentation waiver if the tax collector has actual knowledge of the family relationship and that the servicemember was killed while serving.

3. Specify which paragraph you are applying under. Surviving spouse and surviving parent applications go under paragraph (3)(b) and are free for up to three vehicles per household; everyone else goes under paragraph (3)(a) and pays.

4. You do not need to wait for a renewal date. Subsection (5) lets an eligible family member request the plate at any time during their registration period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing the DV plate with a handicapped parking permit. A DV plate only grants handicapped parking access if you also have a mobility impairment. If you need accessible parking, apply for the wheelchair-emblem plate.

2. Assuming you qualify based on any disability rating. The DV plate requires a 100% service-connected disability rating — not 50%, 70%, or even 90%. You must meet the specific 100% threshold.

3. Failing to prove five-year Florida residency. If you have not lived in Florida for five continuous years, you must file a Declaration of Domicile with the Clerk of Circuit Court before applying.

4. Not having your proof of eligibility ready. The VA ID card or letter certifying your 100% service-connected disability rating is prima facie evidence of eligibility. Without it, the tax collector cannot process your application.

5. Choosing a military or specialty plate without understanding the trade-off. If you elect a military or specialty plate in lieu of the DV plate, you lose the parking and accessibility protections that come with the DV plate.

6. Submitting a false certified statement at renewal. Falsely or fraudulently submitting the certified statement of continued eligibility is a noncriminal violation with a $50 civil penalty.

7. Forgetting that only one free plate is available. Only one tax-free DV or DV Wheelchair plate can be issued to each qualifying Veteran. Additional plates require payment of regular registration taxes and fees.

Common Questions

What is a Florida Disabled Veteran license plate?

A Florida DV license plate is a special license plate issued to honorably discharged Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. It provides free parking on public streets and metered spaces and exempts the holder from airport parking fees. The first plate is issued free of charge.

Who qualifies for a Florida DV license plate?

You must have an honorable discharge, be a Florida resident for five continuous years or have established domicile, and meet one of three criteria: your vehicle was acquired through VA financial assistance, you have a 100% service-connected disability rating for compensation, or you have a 100% rating and receive disability retirement pay.

How much does a Florida DV license plate cost?

The first DV license plate is free. A service charge under Section 320.04 applies for each initial application or renewal of registration, plus 50 cents on each plate and validation sticker. Additional DV plates require payment of regular registration taxes and fees.

What documents do I need to apply for a Florida DV license plate?

You need HSMV Form 83007, proof of Florida residency (driver license, Declaration of Domicile, voter card, or affidavit), proof of your 100% service-connected disability (VA ID card or letter), a copy of your vehicle registration, proof of Florida insurance, and your Florida driver license or ID.

Where do I apply for a Florida DV license plate?

Apply in person at your county tax collector’s office or a license plate agency. The tax collector is authorized to issue the DV plate immediately on demand. Find your nearest office at flhsmv.gov/offices.

Can I park in handicapped parking spaces with a DV plate?

Only if you also have a mobility impairment. The DV plate alone does not grant handicapped parking privileges. If you have a mobility impairment, apply for the wheelchair-emblem plate to avoid fines and penalties.

Is the DV plate really free?

Yes. One DV or DV Wheelchair license plate is issued tax-free and is not subject to the annual use tax. Only minor service charges and per-plate fees apply.

What is the difference between a DV plate and a wheelchair-emblem plate?

A DV plate is issued to any qualifying 100% disabled Veteran. A wheelchair-emblem plate is issued to Veterans who are permanently confined to a wheelchair or have a qualifying mobility impairment. The wheelchair-emblem plate grants full handicapped parking access; the DV plate grants free parking on public streets but not necessarily accessible parking spaces.

Can I choose a military license plate instead of the DV plate?

Yes, under SB 736 (2024). You can elect a military or specialty license plate in lieu of the DV plate, but you must pay all applicable fees for that plate. Note that the military or specialty plate does not provide the parking and accessibility protections of the DV plate.

Does my spouse qualify for a Gold Star license plate?

The surviving spouse of a servicemember killed while serving may qualify for a free Gold Star plate for up to three vehicles per household, with renewal decals at no cost. The servicemember must have resided in Florida at the time of death.

How do I renew my DV license plate?

Renew annually or biennially during the applicable renewal period. Submit proof of Florida insurance and a certified statement of continued eligibility. Renewals can be completed at your tax collector’s office, by mail, or online through the MyDMV portal where available.

Can I transfer my DV plate to another vehicle?

Yes. Under SB 1352 (2026), a disabled Veteran may retain the unique alphanumeric designation assigned to the DV plate upon reissuance, renewal, or transfer of the plate to another vehicle owned by the Veteran. The permanent DV plate must be removed upon sale of the vehicle but may be transferred to another vehicle owned by the Veteran.

Key Takeaways

• Florida issues one free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate to qualifying Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating.

• Eligibility requires honorable discharge, five years of continuous Florida residency (or established domicile), and proof of 100% service-connected disability.

• Apply in person at your county tax collector’s office with HSMV Form 83007, proof of residency, proof of eligibility, and vehicle documents.

• The first DV plate is free; only minor service charges apply. Additional plates require regular fees.

• DV plate holders may park free on public streets and metered spaces, but handicapped parking access requires a separate mobility impairment.

• The wheelchair-emblem plate grants full handicapped parking access and is available to qualifying Veterans permanently confined to a wheelchair.

• Under SB 736 (2024), you may elect a military or specialty plate instead of the DV plate, but you lose parking and accessibility protections.

• Under SB 1352 (2026), you can retain your unique plate designation when renewing or transferring the plate.

• The Gold Star license plate is free for surviving spouses and surviving parents for up to three vehicles per household.

• Renew your DV plate annually or biennially with proof of insurance and a certified statement of continued eligibility.

Official Resources

• FLHSMV — Disabled Person Parking Permits: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/disabled-person-parking-permits/

• FLHSMV — Wheelchair License Plate: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/disabled-person-parking-permits/wheelchair-license-plate/

• FLHSMV — HSMV Form 83007: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/83007.pdf

• FLHSMV — Find an Office: https://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/

• Florida Statutes — Section 320.084: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/320.084

• Florida Statutes — Section 320.0848 (Disabled Parking Permits): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/320.0848

• VA.gov — Download Your VA Benefit Summary Letter: https://www.va.gov/records/download-va-letters/

• Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs: https://www.floridavets.org/

• Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

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