2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 4 - REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (§§ 55-4-NEW — 55-4-702) › Part 2 - SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES (§§ 55-4-201 — 55-4-299) › Section 55-4-279 - Combat badges, medals, and ribbons

(a)
A recipient of a combat badge, medal, or ribbon who is a resident of this state and who is an owner or lessee of a motor vehicle, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a distinctive license plate corresponding to an awarded combat badge, medal, or ribbon for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).
(b)
The following combat badge, medal, and ribbon license plates are authorized pursuant to this section:
(1)
The Combat Action Badge plate, which must include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Combat Action Badge. The legend must read "Combat Action Badge";
(2)
The Combat Infantryman Badge plate, which must include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge. The legend must read "Combat Infantryman Badge";
(3)
The Combat Medical Badge plate, which must include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Combat Medical Badge. The legend must read "Combat Medical Badge";
(4)
The Combat Action Medal plate, which must include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Combat Action Medal. The legend must read "Combat Action Medal";
(5)
The Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps plate, which must include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Combat Action Medal, Navy and Marine Corps. The legend must read "Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps"; and
(6)
The Combat Action Ribbon, Coast Guard plate, which must include an identification legend distinctive to recipients of the Combat Action Medal, Coast Guard. The legend must read "Combat Action Ribbon, Coast Guard".
(c)
All applications pursuant to this section must be accompanied by the following as proof of eligibility for issuance of a plate pursuant to this section:
(1)
(A)
A valid military identification card or such other document as the commissioner designates as sufficient proof that the applicant is an active member of the United States armed forces; or
(B)
(i)
A certified copy of the veteran's certificate of release or discharge from active duty, department of defense form 214 (DD 214), honorable discharge certificate, department of defense form 256 (DD 256), or report of separation and record of service, NGB form 22, that indicates an honorable discharge characterization;
(ii)
A valid DD form 2 (Retired) military identification card; or
(iii)
A Tennessee driver license that indicates military service in accordance with § 55-50-354; and
(2)
Documentation certifying that the application for the plate is submitted by a recipient of the Combat Action Badge; Combat Infantryman Badge; Combat Medical Badge; Combat Action Medal; Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps; or Combat Action Ribbon, Coast Guard, to include:
(A)
Military orders awarding the Combat Action Badge; Combat Infantryman Badge; Combat Medical Badge; Combat Action Medal; Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps; or Combat Action Ribbon, Coast Guard, to the member or veteran; or
(B)
The veteran's certificate of release or discharge from active duty, department of defense form 214 (DD 214), or report of separation and record of service, NGB form 22, indicating the awarding of the Combat Action Badge; Combat Infantryman Badge; Combat Medical Badge; Combat Action Medal; Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps; or Combat Action Ribbon, Coast Guard.
(d)
An applicant is required to submit the documentation required by subsection (c) only when initially applying for license plates under this section. Subsequent license plates under this section must be issued to that person without the repeated presentation of documentation.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 3, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 968, s 42, eff. 7/1/2022.