Vehicles

U.S. Armed Forces plates


Air Force Cross Medal
Air Force Cross Medal
 
Airman's Medal
Airman's Medal
Distinguished Service Cross Medal
Distinguished Service Cross Medal
Navy Cross Medal
Navy Cross Medal
Navy/Marine Corps Medal
Navy/Marine Corps Medal
Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
Who is eligible The owner of a vehicle who was awarded the Air Force Cross, Airman's Medal, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Navy/Marine Corps Medal or the Soldier's Medal by the United States government.
Requirements A satisfactory copy of the official government or military document verifying the owner's receipt of the Air Force Cross, Airman's Medal, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy cross, Navy/Marine Corps Medal or the Soldier's Medal.  This information will also be required before a gift certificate can be issued.
Eligible vehicles Automobiles
Multipurpose vehicles
Sport utility vehicles
Vans
Motorcycles
Trucks
Motor homes
Trailers and travel trailers
Numbered plates
  • One set at no charge
  • Second or subsequent sets at $25
  • $5 annual registration fee to the Veterans License Fee Fund at the time of renewal
  • Annual registration fee

Note: The $5 annual validation fee will be credited to the Veterans License Fee Fund.

Plates (including personalized plates) may be purchased as a gift. Gift certificates will be mailed to the purchaser.

Personalized plates
  • One set at $25
  • Second or subsequent sets at $50
  • $5 annual registration fee to the Veterans License fee Fund at the time of renewal
  • Annual registration fee (paid to county treasurer)

Note: The $5 annual validation fee will be credited to the Veterans License Fee Fund.

Second or subsequent plates, $25 of the personalized plate fee will be credited to the Veterans License Fee Fund.

Personalized license plates may consist of up to five characters and numbers. All personalized plate choices must have at least two characters.

  • No punctuation marks are allowed.
  • No denoting a government agency (i.e., DOT).
  • No display of characters that are sexual in connotation.
  • No characters suggesting profane, obscene or inflammatory words or phrases, or those contrary to public policy.
  • No characters or words defined in dictionaries as a term of vulgarity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, or racial or ethnic degradation.
  • No characters considered to be offensive.
  • No characters that conflict with the regular license numbering system.
  • Recognized as a swear word.
  • Reference to an illegal substance or criminal act.
  • Any foreign word falling in any of these categories.
  • Cannot be all numbers.
How to apply Complete the Special Plate Application form, print and mail with the fees that are due.

Vehicle & Motor Carrier Services
Iowa Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines, Iowa  50306-9278

Your plates will be sent to your county treasurer's office and staff will notify you when your plates are available. Typical processing time is 3-6 weeks. Plates must be assigned to a vehicle within 90 days or the plates will be voided and no refund issued. Your current plates must be exchanged for your new plates.

For questions

Telephone: 515-237-3110
E-mail:  dot.plates@iowadot.us

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