Ala. Admin. Code r. 810-5-1-.232

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 02, November 27, 2024

Section 810-5-1-.232 - Military And Veteran Related License Plate Eligibility

(1)Certification. Alabama residents qualifying for military and veteran related categories or Alabama Gold Star Family distinctive license plate(s) or tag(s) as provided in Chapter 6 of Title 32, Code of Ala. 1975, must provide the licensing official with the Form 00214 or other qualifying documentation as prescribed by law or this rule as evidence of qualifications for the license plate. If Form DO214 or other qualifying documentation prescribed by law or as provided in this rule is unavailable, the applicant must provide the licensing official with a certification of eligibility from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (OVA) after the applicant provides the OVA with other authoritative documentation evidencing eligibility for the license plate or a service issued identification card that evidences eligibility for the requested license plate.

(2)Recertification. In accordance with § 32-6-64, Code of Ala. 1975, persons who qualify for military and veteran related categories or Alabama Gold Star distinctive license plates are required to recertify their eligibility for the license plate upon reissuance of a license plate design as required under § 32-6-62, Code of Ala. 1975, or every five (5) years if a permanent license plate is issued or the license plate design does not change.

(3)Issued to Private Passenger Vehicles. The military and veteran distinctive license plates or tags along with the Gold Star Family plates so issued in accordance with Chapter 6 of Title 32, Code of Ala. 1975, must be used only upon and for personally-owned, private passenger vehicles (to include motorcycles, station wagons, pick-up trucks and motor homes with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 12,000 pounds) registered in the name of the person making application therefor, and when so issued to such applicant must be used upon the vehicle for which issued in lieu of the standard license plates or license tags normally issued for such vehicle.

(4)Specific license plate requirements.

(a)Permanent License Plates. In accordance with § 32-6-250, Code of Ala. 1975, a distinctive permanent license plate shall be issued to any resident of this state who:

1. Is a recipient of the Medal of Honor or the widow of a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

2. Is a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal.

3. Is a member of the Legion of Valor with positive proof of membership and the award of the Medal of Honor, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross.

4. Is a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

5. Is a recipient of the Silver Star.

6. Is a recipient of the Bronze Star.

7. Shows by satisfactory proof that he or she was a duly recognized former prisoner of war, for use on a private motor vehicle registered in the name of the resident.

The license plates are permanent in nature and are not reissued each year. A recipient is entitled to keep his or her license plate for life. Provided further, upon the death of any recipient, the surviving spouse shall be, where permitted by law, entitled to retain the distinctive permanent plate for the remainder of the spouse's lifetime or until his or her remarriage. Annual renewal decals will be provided after payment, if required, of license fees and taxes for the years during which a new tag or plate is not issued as provided in § 32-6-63, Code of Ala. 1975.

(b)United States Armed Forces Retired. In accordance with § 32-6-291 and 32-6-292, Code of Ala. 1975, retired military persons retired under honorable conditions, national guard retirees, and retired military reservists, or their spouse may, upon application to the licensing official, be issued United States Armed Forces Retired distinctive license plates. In accordance with § 32-6-290, Code of Ala. 1975, the words "retired military" means only those persons who are non-disability retirees from active duty in the Army, or the Navy, or the Marine Corps, or the Air Force, or the Coast Guard of the United States. Upon the death of this retired military license plate category recipient, the surviving spouse is entitled to retain the distinctive plate, upon the continued payment of the regular taxes and fees required by law, for one private passenger vehicle owned by the surviving spouse for the remainder of the lifetime of the surviving spouse or until the remarriage of the spouse.

(c)National Guard. In accordance with § 32-6-111, Code of Ala. 1975, applicants for distinctive National Guard of Alabama license plates must present to the licensing official proof of their membership in the National Guard or Air National Guard of Alabama by means of a properly executed AGO Form 7 along with a current Common Access Card (CAC) military ID card. If the guard member is deployed outside AL, the most recent copy of the service member's "Leave and Earnings Statement" (LES) or a copy of their mobilization orders along with the military identification card of the spouse/dependent with power of attorney to obtain the license plate on the guard member's behalf may be provided. Applicants for National Guard Retired license plates must present a United States Uniformed Services identification card and a NGB Form 22, Notice of Eligibility for Retired Pay at Age 60 or 20 year letter as proof of retirement status.

(d)United States Armed Forces Reserve. In accordance with § 32-6-351, Code of Ala. 1975, a resident of this state who is an active member of the United States Armed Forces Reserve may obtain a distinctive motor vehicle license tag or tags signifying service in the Armed Forces Reserve upon presenting to the licensing official an active reserve identification card or Common Access Card (CAC) military ID card and an affidavit signed by the unit commander confirming the reservist/vehicle owner remains in military service and is entitled to the registration fee exemption.

(e)Global War on Terrorism. In accordance with § 32-6-353, Code of Ala. 1975, a distinctive global war on terrorism license plate may be issued to motor vehicle owners who have served or are currently serving in an active status either on active duty or within a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, including the Alabama National Guard and civilian employees of the United States government who are on military orders, in current or future conflicts in support of the global war on terrorism occurring on or after September 11, 2001. The eligible U.S. service member or civilian employee of the U.S. government must present to the licensing official one of the following documents as proof of eligibility:

1. A DD Form 214 stating that the service member was on active duty in support of the global war on terrorism or any future conflicts.

2. A copy of military travel orders activating the service member, or a copy of the military orders directed to a civilian employee of the United States government to serve in support of the global war on terrorism or any future conflicts.

3. A letter from the unit commander certifying that the service member was on active duty during the time covered by the global war on terrorism or any future conflicts.

4. A copy of the certificate which accompanied the service medal or ribbon signifying the participation of the service member in the global war on terrorism or any future conflicts.

(f) Alabama State Defense Force. In accordance with § 32-6-480, Code of Ala. 1975, an active or inactive member of the Alabama State Defense Force who is the owner of a motor vehicle and a resident of the state may be issued a distinctive Alabama State Defense Force license tag or plate. Applicants for the distinctive plates must present to the licensing official proof of active or inactive membership in the Alabama State Defense Force on forms prescribed by the Commander of the Alabama State Defense Force. Upon termination of active and inactive membership with the Alabama State Defense Force, the registrant must, within 30 days, return the plate to the licensing official of the county of the applicant's residence in accordance with § 32-6-482, Code of Ala. 1975.

(g) Gold Star Family. In accordance with § 32-6-630, Code of Ala. 1975, one of the following documents must be presented to the licensing official to receive the "Alabama Gold Star Family" distinctive license plate:

1. DD Form 2064 - Overseas Death Certificate or prior era Department of Defense Death Certificate.

2. DD Form 1300 - Report of Casualty.

3. In the event that the applicant is not identified as the next of kin on one of the documents listed in subparagraphs 1. and 2., the applicant must submit a notarized affidavit obtained from the Alabama OVA, certifying applicant's relationship to the deceased service member.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 810-5-1-.232

Adopted January 25, 1988; filed April 28, 1988. Amended: Filed October 22, 2010; effective November 26, 2010.

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 04, January 31, 2022, eff. 3/17/2022.

Author: James P. Starling

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 40-2A-7(a)(5), Chapter 6 of Title 32.