Texas DV Tags (How to get them)

Texas DV (Disabled Veteran) License Plates, or “tags” are a super power.

Okay… Maybe not like a comic superhero power, but legally you get to do far more things than the regular driver, which is pretty useful since you drive everywhere in Houston.

So here are a few things that you can do with a DV Plate:

Here’s the breakdown:

1, Free metered parking

This one is easy: free metered parking in the city of Houston or Texas (except for a branch of the federal government) if you have Disabled Veteran Plates

Currently in Transportation Code 504, the following Medals are noted as eligible for no metered parking fees (except federal government parking meters):

Distinguished Flying Cross with or without Valor
World War II Army of Occupation Medal
Air Medal with or without V
Distinguished Service Medal
Commendation Medal with V
Pearl Harbor Survivor designation
Medal of Honor
Air Force Cross
Air Force, Army and Navy Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Silver Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Coast Guard Medal
Airman’s Medal
Soldier’s Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Prisoner of War Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit

2, Parking in Handicap Spots

Disabled Veterans may park in any handicap spot if they display the ISA symbol, either as a hang tag (on rear view mirror) or on the license plate itself.

Since this was a policy change in 2022, we regularly hear from veterans that they were not aware of the ISR symbol requirement. Remember to check with your local authority!

We have posted about this earlier when the policy was changing, you may learn more about the process to obtain the ISA symbol tags on our previous publication <Click Here >

3, No tolls on certain toll roads (like Hardy Toll Road / Beltway 8 / 99 Grand Parkway)

The Mobility Authority’s Qualified Veteran Discount Program waives tolls on several Mobility Authority toll roads for eligible veterans, who must be in a vehicle registered with the State of Texas and display a qualifying specialty license plate.

Qualifying Texas license plates are disabled veterans and recipients of the Purple Heart, Legion of Valor and Medal of Honor awards.

Participating toll authorities:

Austin: Texas Department of Transportation
Brownsville: Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority
Dallas - Ft Worth: North Texas Tollway Authority
Houston area: Harris County Toll Road Authority and Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority
Tyler: North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority

*Please check with your local authority before assuming that all toll roads are free to DV Plates. For example, the MoPac Express Lane, located in central Austin, is NOT included in the Mobility Authority’s Qualified Veteran Discount Program.

4, Free Airport Parking

Houston Airports offer certain military veterans and military award recipients complimentary parking each time they visit George Bush Intercontinental Airport or William P. Hobby Airport.

Veterans who have an active, permanently affixed license plate issued by any U.S. state qualify for the savings. A complete list of approved license plates is at the bottom of this webpage. In order to receive the complimentary parking, the veteran must be present at the time of exiting the parking facility.

*The complimentary service is per visit to the airport, subject to parking availability and cannot be combined with an online parking reservation.
*Qualifying disabled veterans who enter a Houston Airports parking facility before September 15 will not be affected.

Qualifying veterans can choose between:

Up to 60 consecutive days in an ecopark lot or
Up to 5 consecutive days in a parking garage

We have previously published on this, learn more here: <Click Here>

5, Free (solo driver) use of HOV/HOT lanes during toll times

Express Toll Lanes honors free tolling for disabled veterans plates that are registered in Texas. In Harris County, HOV stands for High Occupancy Vehicle. HOT stands for High Occupancy Toll. Both refer to a barrier-separated lane in the middle of I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290.

In the mornings, vehicles travel toward downtown Houston. In the afternoons, they travel away from downtown.

DV Plate holders may use the TOLL ONLY HOV lanes with a solo driver free of charge during toll hours (rush hour). This does not apply to the HOV lane that requires multiple vehicle occupants.

Learn more here <Click Here>

How do you qualify for a DV plate?

If you are one of the following, you qualify for a Disabled Veteran Plate:

at least a 50 percent service-connected disability

a 40 percent service-connected disability because of the amputation of a lower extremity

Furthermore, the following specialty plates also have the benefits of a DV plate:

Purple Heart Recipient
Legion of Valor Recipient

Do you have a VA Disability Rating?

Do you have a VA disability rating?

Do you qualify for a VA disability rating? More than 70% of “eligible” veterans do not utilize VA healthcare benefits in Houston. We’re here to help you get more for your quality of life.

Call us TODAY for one of our accredited Veteran Services Officer (VSO) from our office find out if you are eligible for a VA disability rating.

Unlike many other veteran service groups, the Harris County Veteran Services Office is primarily staffed by veterans (many whom are combat veterans) who have also gone through the separation process. Let us help your case!