LANSING — State Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township) introduced legislation yesterday that would allow veterans with disabilities who have been honorably discharged to purchase up to five special vehicle registration plates with the Disabled Veteran (DV) designation. Currently, veterans in Michigan who are permanently disabled are limited to only one special registration plate with this designation.
“Michigan’s veterans deserve greater recognition for their service and their sacrifice for our communities,” said Camilleri. “As a constituent in my district rightfully pointed out, veterans, particularly in Michigan with its long tradition of automobile culture, often own more than one vehicle. The men and women who have served our country deserve to be recognized for their sacrifice regardless of which car they decide to drive on any given day.”
House Bill 4673 would keep the application process for plate(s) the same, with each additional plate incurring the regular vehicle registration fee plus a $5.00 service fee. The current application for a single special registration plate requires proof of the veteran’s honorable discharge, proof of their total or permanent disability rating, and payment of a $5.00 service fee with no additional registration fee. This inscription on the plate does not grant permission for the vehicle to park in a handicapped space, but rather is an indication of pride and honor.
“In the spirit of Memorial Day, I hope my colleagues in the Legislature will join me in recognizing the veterans in our communities,” Camilleri said. “We owe a great deal to our veterans, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on issues that Michigan’s veterans face.”
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