Subdivision 1. Issuance and design. (a) The commissioner shall issue special plates bearing the inscription "EX-POW" to any applicant who:
(1) is both a former prisoner of war and a registered owner of a passenger automobile, motorcycle, or recreational motor vehicle; and
(2) complies with this chapter and rules governing the registration of motor vehicles and licensing of drivers.
(b) The special plates must be of a design and size to be determined by the commissioner. Only one set of plates, or a single plate in the case of a motorcycle, bearing the "EX-POW" inscription may be issued for each qualified applicant.
Subd. 1a. Application. Application for issuance of these plates must be made at the time of renewal or first application for registration. The application must include a certification by the commissioner of veterans affairs that the applicant was a member of the military forces of the United States who was captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy of the United States during a period of armed conflict.
Subd. 1b. No fee. The commissioner shall issue a set of EX-POW plates, or a single plate for a motorcycle, to qualified applicants, free of charge, and shall replace them without charge if they become damaged. In addition, no fee may be charged for a subsequent year when stickers are issued for that motor vehicle on which the EX-POW plates are placed.
Subd. 1c. Plates transfer. Despite the provisions of section 168.12, subdivision 1, the special plates issued under this section may be transferred to another motor vehicle registered to the former prisoner of war upon notification to the commissioner.
Subd. 1d. Surviving spouse. Upon the death of a former prisoner of war, the commissioner shall continue to issue free of charge, upon renewal, the special plates to a motor vehicle owned by the surviving spouse of the former prisoner of war. Special plates issued to a surviving spouse may be transferred to another motor vehicle registered to the surviving spouse as provided in subdivision 1c. No fee may be charged for replacement plates issued to a surviving spouse or for stickers issued for the motor vehicle on which the special "EX-POW" plates are placed. A surviving spouse is not exempt from the motor vehicle registration tax.
Subd. 1e. [Repealed by amendment, 1Sp2005 c 6 art 2 s 11]
Subd. 2. Plates; EX-POW and disability emblems. The commissioner shall issue special plates bearing both the "EX-POW" and disability emblems to any applicant who is entitled to the special plates provided under this section and who is also entitled to special plates for the physically disabled under section 168.021 upon compliance with the provisions of both sections. The plates must be of a design and size determined by the commissioner.
Subd. 3. Rules; commissioner of public safety. The commissioner of public safety may adopt by rule, in accordance with chapter 14, the procedures for issuance or transfer of the special plates authorized under this section.
Subd. 4. Rules; commissioner of veterans affairs. The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish the procedure for obtaining the certification of former prisoner of war status.
Subd. 5. Savings provision. Nothing in this section alters the exemption for disabled war veterans provided for in section 168.031.
1982 c 424 s 130; 1982 c 593 s 1; 1988 c 636 s 5; 1989 c 140 s 11; 1989 c 301 s 2; 1990 c 497 s 6; 1993 c 214 s 3; 1Sp2005 c 6 art 2 s 11; 2011 c 109 s 16; 2014 c 255 s 13
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 160 - 174A — Transportation
Chapter 168 — Vehicle Registration, Taxation, Sale
Section 168.002 — Definitions.
Section 168.012 — Vehicles Exempt From Tax Or License Fees.
Section 168.013 — Vehicle Registration Taxes.
Section 168.0135 — Motor Vehicle Registration Self-service Kiosks.
Section 168.014 — Owner's Registration Certificate; Expiration.
Section 168.016 — Collection Of Tax Rate Increase.
Section 168.017 — Monthly Series Registration System.
Section 168.018 — Quarterly Registration Of Farm Trucks.
Section 168.0185 — Record Of Vehicle Registration; Disclosure.
Section 168.021 — Plates For Physically Disabled Persons.
Section 168.022 — Mandatory Tax Refund Due To Lemon Law.
Section 168.031 — Registration Exemption; Active Military Service.
Section 168.032 — Proportionate Refund To Person On Active Military Service.
Section 168.033 — May Pay Proportionate Part Of Tax.
Section 168.04 — Military Personnel; Exemptions.
Section 168.041 — Impounding Registration Plates.
Section 168.05 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.053 — Drive-away In-transit License.
Section 168.054 — Liability Insurance Policy.
Section 168.056 — Towing Violation A Misdemeanor; Exceptions.
Section 168.057 — Fees Credited To Highway User Fund.
Section 168.09 — Registration; Reregistration.
Section 168.091 — 31-day Temporary Vehicle Permit.
Section 168.092 — 21-day Temporary Vehicle Permit.
Section 168.10 — Registration; Collector Vehicle.
Section 168.101 — Ownership And Registration By Minor; Prohibitions.
Section 168.102 — School Bus; Preregistration Inspection.
Section 168.105 — Classic Motorcycle Registration.
Section 168.11 — Registration Certificate.
Section 168.121 — Special Plates Remembering Victims Of Impaired Drivers.
Section 168.123 — Veterans; Special Plates.
Section 168.1235 — Veterans Service Group Emblems.
Section 168.124 — Special Plates For Medal Of Honor Recipients.
Section 168.125 — Special Plates For Former Prisoners Of War.
Section 168.1253 — Gold Star License Plate.
Section 168.1255 — "proud To Be A Veteran" Plate.
Section 168.1256 — Retired Law Enforcement Special Plates.
Section 168.126 — Commuter Vans; Registration, Special License Plates.
Section 168.127 — Fleet Vehicles; Registration, Fee.
Section 168.128 — Limousine Plates.
Section 168.1282 — "start Seeing Motorcycles" Special Plates.
Section 168.1284 — Minnesota 100 Club Plates.
Section 168.1285 — Minnesota Agriculture Plates.
Section 168.1286 — Honorary Consul Plates.
Section 168.129 — Special Collegiate Plates.
Section 168.1291 — Certain Special Plates; Uniform Design, Unique Emblems.
Section 168.1293 — Certain Special Plates; Authorization, Discontinuance.
Section 168.1294 — Law Enforcement Memorial Plates.
Section 168.1295 — State Parks And Trails Plates.
Section 168.1296 — Critical Habitat Plates.
Section 168.1297 — Special "rotary Member" Plates.
Section 168.1298 — Special "support Our Troops" Plates.
Section 168.1299 — Minnesota Golf Plates.
Section 168.13 — Proof Of Ownership.
Section 168.15 — Rights As To Registration Certificate And Plates.
Section 168.16 — Registration Tax Refund; Appropriation.
Section 168.17 — Suspension Of Registration.
Section 168.181 — Nonresidents, Reciprocity Agreements Or Arrangements.
Section 168.183 — Motor Vehicles Of Certain Nonresidents.
Section 168.185 — Usdot Numbers.
Section 168.187 — Interstate Registration And Reciprocity.
Section 168.201 — Denial Or Withdrawal Of Benefits And Privileges.
Section 168.211 — Subjection To State Laws Generally.
Section 168.221 — Commercial Vehicles; Taxes Or Fees.
Section 168.25 — Vehicles Used For Testing.
Section 168.26 — Certain Manufacturers Need Not Register.
Section 168.27 — Motor Vehicle Dealers; Violations, Penalties.
Section 168.2701 — Liability Of Lessors For Unpaid Traffic Fines.
Section 168.2702 — Motor Vehicle Leases; Indemnity Agreements.
Section 168.271 — Informational Labels On Pickup Trucks; Penalty.
Section 168.274 — Definitions.
Section 168.275 — Sale Of Motor Vehicle On Sunday Forbidden.
Section 168.276 — Suspension Or Revocation Of Dealer License.
Section 168.277 — Motor Vehicle Purchases; Disclosure.
Section 168.28 — Vehicles Subject To Tax; Exceptions.
Section 168.29 — Replacement Plates.
Section 168.301 — Vehicle Transfer Deadline; Fees; Suspension.
Section 168.31 — Registration Tax Payment.
Section 168.321 — New Vehicle Manufacturer's Statement.
Section 168.325 — Division Of Driver And Vehicle Services.
Section 168.326 — Expedited Driver And Vehicle Services; Fee.
Section 168.327 — Driver And Vehicle Record Fees.
Section 168.33 — Commissioner As Registrar Of Vehicles; Deputy Registrars.
Section 168.34 — Information Furnished.
Section 168.345 — Use Of Vehicle Registration Information.
Section 168.346 — Privacy Of Personal Information.
Section 168.35 — Intent To Escape Tax; Gross Misdemeanor.
Section 168.36 — Unlawful Use Of Unregistered Vehicle Certificate, Plates.
Section 168.37 — Plate Tabs Or Stickers; Monthly Registration System.
Section 168.381 — Manufacture Of Vehicle Plates; Appropriations.
Section 168.50 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.51 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.52 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.53 — [Held unconstitutional]
Section 168.54 — Motor Vehicles, Transfer Of Ownership.
Section 168.61 — Intercity Bus.
Section 168.62 — Intercity Bus Registration.
Section 168.63 — Intercity Bus; Registrar Duties.
Section 168.64 — Intercity Bus Rules, Requirements.
Section 168.65 — Intercity Bus Violations.
Section 168.841 — Definition Of Rental Truck.
Section 168.842 — Registration And Taxation Of Rental Truck.
Section 168.843 — Registration And Taxation Of Rental Trailer.
Section 168.844 — Other Fleet Rental Vehicles.
Section 168.845 — Rules For Rental Trucks And Trailers.
Section 168.846 — Misdemeanor Violation Of Rental Vehicle Laws.