OAR 735-040-0090: Veterans’ Recognition Registration Plates for Veterans' Groups; Restrictions on Issuance; Proof of Veteran Status

(1) Issuance of veterans' recognition registration plates may be restricted to certain persons as provided under ORS 805.105 and this rule. Conditions for restrictions are as follows: (a) Restrictions on issuance of a particular veterans' recognition registration plate as requested by a veterans' group must relate to a person's service in the Armed Services of the United States. For example: (A) DMV may approve a request to restrict issuance of a particular veterans' recognition registration plate to only veterans or to only those awarded a Purple Heart medal; and (B) DMV will not approve a request to restrict veterans' recognition registration plate issuance to only veterans who are members of a particular group. (b) A veterans group requesting a restriction on plate issuance must do so on the initial Application for Approval of Veteran Group Plates. The group must describe the restriction and the basis for the restriction; (c) All restrictions must be approved by DMV. (d) If a requested restriction is approved, DMV will consult the group in determining the criteria DMV uses in issuing veterans' recognition registration plates for that group. (2) Veterans' recognition registration plates may not be issued as custom plates, or in conjunction with any other special registration or plate type. (3) When a veterans' group approved by DMV or the Director of Veterans' Affairs requires proof of veteran status or proof of receipt of a service-related medal, or the applicant requests “Gold Star Family” registration plates, DMV will accept the following as proof of eligibility: (a) For plates that include a decal depicting an insignia of a branch of the Armed Services, a completed and signed Veteran Plate Certification (DMV Form 735-7307), certifying the applicant is eligible to receive the plates, and any of the following: (A) For military service year 1950 or after, a US Department of Defense Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD 214) or Correction to DD 214 Form (DD 215); (B) For military service before year 1950, a separation document or form issued by a branch or department of the US Armed Services; or (C) An applicant’s Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) For a veterans' group with a service-related restriction approved by DMV under OAR 735-040-0080, a completed and signed Veteran Plate Certification (DMV Form 735-7307), certifying the applicant is eligible to receive the plates, and one of the following: (A) For military service year 1950 or after, a DD 214 or DD 215; (B) For military service before year 1950, a separation document or form issued by a branch or department of the US Armed Services; (C) An applicant’s Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to documentation that demonstrates the applicant qualifies under the service-related restriction. (c) For plates that include a decal depicting a service-related medal: (A) A completed and signed Veteran Plate Certification (DMV Form 735-7307), certifying the applicant is eligible to receive the plates; (B) A letter, award certificate or other document issued by the US Department of Defense showing the applicant is a recipient of the service-related medal; and (C) Either of the following: (i) For military service year 1950 or after, a DD 214, DD 215 or an applicant’s Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or (ii) For military service before year 1950, a separation document or form issued by a branch or department of the US Armed Services.(d) For plates displaying a gold star and the words “Gold Star Family,” a completed and signed Gold Star Family Certification (DMV Form 735-6940), certifying the applicant is a Gold Star Family member, as defined in ORS 366.931. (4) “Non-Commissioned Officers Association” and “Vietnam Veterans of America” registration plates issued prior to January 1, 2024, were issued to any applicant who applied for the plates and may be renewed without providing proof of eligibility as described in this section. Effective January 1, 2024, DMV will issue the registration plates only to veterans who are determined eligible by DMV. An applicant must provide the following information as proof of eligibility: (a) For Non-Commissioned Officers Association plates, a completed and signed Veteran Plate Certification (DMV Form 735-7307), certifying the applicant is eligible to receive the plates; and one of the following: (A) For military service year 1950 or after, a DD 214 or DD 215 that indicates a Non-Commissioned Officer rank of E5 to E9; (B) For military service before year 1950, a separation document or form issued by a branch or department of the US Armed Services that indicates a Non-Commissioned Officer rank of E5 to E9; (C) A separation document described in subsections (A) or (B) of this section that does not indicate on the document the member held a Non-Commissioned Officer rank, and an unexpired military ID card or other documentation issued by a branch or department of the US Armed Services that indicates a Non-Commissioned Officer rank of E5 to E9; or (D) An applicant’s Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and a military ID card or other documentation issued by a branch or department of the US Armed Services that specifies a rank of E5 to E9. (b) For Vietnam Veterans of America plates: (A) A completed and signed Veteran Plate Certification (DMV Form 735-7307), certifying the applicant is eligible to receive the plates; and (B) A DD 214, DD 215 or the applicant’s Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, that indicates a term of service during the Vietnam era, the period beginning November 1, 1955, and ending on May 7, 1975. (5) A DD 214, DD 215 or separation form or document required under section (3) or (4) of this rule must indicate that the applicant is a veteran as defined in ORS 408.225. The required document must be provided as follows: (a) For military service year 1950 or after, a DD 214, DD 215 or a Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs must indicate that the veteran was discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions, as defined in section (6) of this rule. (b) For military service before year 1950, the applicant must present a separation form or document. (6) For the purposes of this rule and ORS 408.225, “under honorable conditions” or “honorable conditions” has the meaning given the phrase by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs in OAR 274-012-0001 and means that the official documents of discharge, service, or separation issued upon the termination of the veteran's active duty service with the Armed Forces are characterized by the relevant branch of the Armed Forces as one of the following: (a) "Honorable"; or (b) "General” also known as “General Under Honorable Conditions."