Texas sate legislators recently passed legislation that expanded the list of acceptable military medals which allow some vehicle registration fees to be waived.  Military service members and Retirees who have received one of the listed medals will be provided a FREE set of license plates and some vehicle registration fees will be waived as long as the military member/Retiree registers that vehicle in the state of Texas.  Retirees can submit proof of medal awards via their DD214.  The form to be used is the VTR-421 Rev 01/16. One and only one waiver is granted per individual despite multiple eligible awards.

WHO:  All military members who have received at least one of the following medals:

 

Air Force Cross			Air Medal
Air Medal w/Valor			Airman's Medal
Army Distinguished Service Cross			Bronze Star
Bronze Star with Valor			Coast Guard Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal			Defense Superior Service Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross			Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force
Distinguished Service Medal, Army			Distinguished Service Medal, Coast Guard
Distinguished Service Medal, Department of Defense			Distinguished Service Medal, Department of Homeland Security
Distinguished Service Medal, Department of Transportation			Distinguished Service Medal, Navy
Legion of Merit			Meritorious Service Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Medal			Navy Cross
Prisoner of War Medal			Silver Star
Soldier's Medal			Surviving Spouse

WHAT: Free Texas vehicle license plates & lifetime registration for members who have received certain decorations. Texas legislators recently passed a bill that expanded acceptable military medals which allow registration fees to be waived. However, one and only one waiver is granted per individual despite multiple eligible awards.

A military member who has received one of the medals listed on the attached application form will be provided a free set of license plates and vehicle registration fees will be waived as long as the military member registers that vehicle in the state of Texas. 

One medal can only be used to waive registration for one vehicle. For instance, a military member with multiple MSMs can only register one vehicle using the MSM medal. However, a person who has earned two different types of medals listed can register two vehicles in this program, and three different medals equal registration for three vehicles, etc...  Keep in mind that these license plates depict a military medal, which does identify them as either a present or former military member. One and only one waiver is granted per individual despite multiple eligible awards. If an individual desires to register more vehicles into the program, a fee is required to register the remaining vehicles.

HOW:  Bring the following items with you to the vehicle registration office: