(a) Any citizen and resident of this state who has been discharged from the armed forces under conditions other than dishonorable or who is currently serving in the armed forces, who is disabled but does not qualify as totally disabled pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Code Section 48-5-48 for purposes of qualification for a license plate issued pursuant to Code Section 40-2-69, shall be entitled to special and distinctive license plates for up to two motorcycles or passenger cars for personal use registered pursuant to this chapter in his or her name. Such license plates shall be transferred to another vehicle acquired by such veteran or jointly by such veteran and his or her spouse as provided in Code Section 40-2-80. Such veteran shall be entitled to license plates issued pursuant to this Code section regardless of whether he or she is suffering from a service connected or nonservice connected disability.

(b) Upon proper application and compliance with the state motor vehicle laws for licensing of motor vehicles and without payment of the regular license fee for plates as prescribed under Article 7 of this chapter, a disabled veteran who does not qualify for license plates pursuant to Code Section 40-2-69 shall be issued similar license plates as prescribed in Code Section 40-2-71 for up to two motorcycles or passenger cars for personal use. There shall be no charge for revalidation decals for license plates issued pursuant to this Code section.

(c) For purposes of applying for license plates issued pursuant to this Code section, a veteran who has not been certified as disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs may submit to the Department of Veterans Service such veteran’s discharge papers and a certified statement from a physician, licensed under Chapter 34 of Title 43, certifying that, in the opinion of such physician, such veteran is disabled. If the certificate from the physician indicates the qualifying disabilities meet the standards of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the commissioner of veterans service shall submit a letter to the state revenue commissioner indicating that the veteran meets the requirements of this Code section and qualifies for special license plates as provided in this Code section.

(d) Once a disabled veteran has established his or her eligibility to receive free motor vehicle license plates pursuant to this Code section but his or her disability has not been determined to be a permanent disability, he or she shall be entitled to receive free license plates or free revalidation decals in succeeding years upon furnishing, on an annual basis, proof of his or her status as a disabled veteran through a letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Such free license plates or free revalidation decals shall be for up to two motorcycles or passenger cars for personal use registered pursuant to this chapter that he or she may own or jointly with his or her spouse or minor child own or acquire in the future.