Purpose

• Add a program for special veterans license plates, including a new National Defense Service Medal plate, and make technical updates to Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168.123) related to veterans plates and design requirements.

Who is eligible

• Active military service members who were honorably discharged and who own a qualifying vehicle (passenger car, recreational vehicle, or pickup truck that is not a commercial vehicle) can receive special veterans plates.
• Motorcyclists who are registered owners of a motorcycle and meet the plate design criteria can receive a special veterans motorcycle plate.
• If a veteran cannot provide discharge documents, the commissioner of veterans affairs may certify eligibility.

What plates and designs are available

• General “veterans plates” for eligible vehicle types.
• Special veterans motorcycle plates for motorcycles.
• Specific inscriptions and emblems on plates include:
  • VIETNAM VET
  • PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR
  • WORLD WAR VET
  • KOREAN VET
  • COMBAT WOUNDED VET (with a Purple Heart emblem)
  • GULF WAR VET
  • LAOS WAR VET
  • IRAQ WAR VET
  • AFGHAN WAR VET
  • GWOT VETERAN (Global War on Terrorism)
  • National Defense Service Medal: NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE VET with a full medal image
  • KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE: KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE
  • NATION DEFENSE SERVICE VET (and related Medal imagery) for National Defense Service Medal recipients
  • BRONZE STAR VET
  • SILVER STAR VET
  • WOMAN VETERAN
• Some design requirements:
  • Plate designs must include a facsimile or emblem of the corresponding medal when applicable.
  • The year and size requirements: special motorcycle plates must be the same size as regular motorcycle plates.
  • For certain campaign and service medals, the inscription appears directly below the plate number.

How eligibility and design are determined

• The commissioner of veterans affairs designs the plate emblems, with approval from the commissioner (public safety).
• For Purple Heart recipients, the plate must include a facsimile of the Purple Heart and the inscription COMBAT WOUNDED VET.
• For National Defense Service Medal and other campaigns, the plate includes the corresponding inscription and medal image or a facsimile.

Fees, transfers, and administration

• A fee is charged for each set of plates (and is due when plates are issued; not charged in years when only stickers are issued).
• A separate transfer fee of $5 applies when transferring plates to another eligible vehicle or to another motorcycle, within the same owner.
• Plate transfers between vehicles must be to a vehicle that is eligible to bear the same special plates and registered to the same person.
• The commissioner may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to govern issuance and use of these plates.

Significance and changes to existing law

• Expands the Minnesota veterans plate program to include a National Defense Service Medal plate and a broad set of new or designated medal/award inscriptions.
• Clarifies proof of eligibility and adds a pathway for certification if discharge papers are not available.
• Creates explicit design standards for many medals and campaigns, including branding elements (emblems/facsimiles) on plates.
• Provides transfer and fee provisions to manage the new plates and ensure orderly administration.

What this bill seeks to accomplish

• Provide veterans with personalized license plates that reflect their service, awards, and campaigns.
• Recognize a wide range of military honors through distinct plate inscriptions and emblems.
• Improve accessibility and administration of veteran plate eligibility and issuance.

Relevant Terms - National Defense Service Medal - National Defense Service Vet - veterans plates - special plates - veterans affairs - commissioner's design/emblem - Vietnam Vet - Pearl Harbor Survivor - World War Vet - Korean Vet - Combat Wounded Vet - Purple Heart - Gulf War Vet - GWOT Vet (Global War on Terrorism) - Iraq War Vet - Afghanistan War Vet - GWOT Service Medal - Korea Defense Service Medal - Bronze Star Vet - Silver Star Vet - Woman Veteran - facsimile - emblem - transfer fee - plate transfer - Administrative Procedure Act (rules)