IDVA State Benefits Fact Sheet
Veteran License Plates
Indiana Code 9-18.5-29
What is the Benefit?
Indiana license plates for branches of the armed forces, disabled Hoosier veterans, Purple Heart recipients, disabled Purple Heart recipients, ex-POWs, armed forces Expeditionary Medal recipients, Gold Star Families, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and certain surviving spouses.
Who Might be Eligible?
- Military Branch License Plates: Honorably Discharged Veterans
- Indiana DNR Entrance Passes:
Disabled Hoosier Veteran Pass
Persons eligible for a Disabled Hoosier Veteran license plate under IC 9-18.5-5 may purchase an annual Disabled Hoosier Veteran Pass for $25. The pass is available to buy online and at DNR locations throughout the state. Passholders get unlimited admission to all Indiana state-owned parks, recreation areas, reservoirs, and forests for one calendar year. The pass is NOT valid for historic sites, museums, memorials and other Department of Natural Resource facilities.
If you have Disabled Hoosier Veteran plates on your vehicle, a state park gate attendant or office staff will sell you the annual Disabled Hoosier Veteran Pass. Otherwise, show state form 32584 signed by the IDVA.
Golden Hoosier Passport
Former Prisoners of War will receive their Golden Hoosier Passport in the mail after their license plates are issued. Passport holders get unlimited admission to all Indiana state-owned parks, recreation areas, reservoirs, and forests for one calendar year. The pass is NOT valid for historic sites, museums, memorials and other Department of Natural Resource facilities. If you do not receive it in a reasonable time or have other plates on your vehicle but are entitled to POW plates, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-622-4931.
- Purple Heart Plate: Must have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal
- Disabled Purple Heart Plate: Available with the universal handicap emblem for those that are also authorized a disabled plate and/or placard in Indiana. This plate is also available to surviving spouses if the veteran is deceased.
- Ex-POW Plate: Must have been a former Prisoner of War OR the surviving spouse of a former Prisoner of War
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Plate: Must have been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (no other expeditionary medals can be substituted)
- Gold Star Family plate: Available to spouse, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, and children of anyone who died while serving on military duty
- Pearl Harbor Survivor Plate: Available to Pearl Harbor survivors. The surviving spouse is entitled to the license plate.
Plate applications must be approved by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs or authorized County Veteran Service Officers.
How to Apply:
- Use State Form 32584 for Disabled Hoosier Veteran, Purple Heart, and Ex-POW plates.
- Use State Form 57107 for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal plate.
- Show proper documentation as shown above at the BMV License branch for first issuance of all other plates.
Full Eligibility Requirements at:
