State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

Prisoner of War (POW) Registrations

Prisoner of War Plate

Under Connecticut State Law (Title 14 Sec. 21(d)), a Prisoner of War (POW) registration can be issued to any member or former member of the armed forces who is a former Prisoner of War. The following is a list of requirements and guidelines that must be met in order to obtain and possess this special plate and registration: 

  • A letter of approval from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) is needed to verify the prisoner of war status and must be submitted on VA letterhead.
  • The vehicle to be registered must be owned or leased by the former POW.
  • A registrant is limited to only two POW plates.  Vehicles can be registered in the following classes only:
       -   Passenger
       -   Camper
       -   Combination
  • Upon the death of the POW, the surviving spouse may retain the plate for their lifetime, or until they remarry.

There is no fee for a new POW registration, transfer or renewal. However, all other fees apply. (i.e. title fee, lien, clean air act fee, etc.)

Initial requests for the POW plate and registration must be made in person at the DMV Wethersfield Office only. However, registration renewals and transfers can be processed at any DMV Hub Office or Limited Service Office.