NM Military Veteran Auto License Plates
By Mike Bibb
Image from New Mexico Motor Vehicle Dept.I've noticed New Mexico, like its neighbor Arizona, charges an extra fee for military veteran auto license plates.
I don't think that's appropriate.
In Arizona, I have to pay an extra $25 yearly for my auto military veteran license plate.
Why?
Having heard many times over the years "Thank you for your service" from some appreciative citizen, I've often wondered why I have to pay an extra $25 every year to the state of Arizona for the privilege of displaying my military plate?
It's the same plate, attached to the same vehicle. Maybe a little more faded with each passing year, but that's the only difference.
Yet, within five years, that plate will cost me an additional $125 over an ordinary Arizona license plate.
Keeping in mind, a military veteran plate is not an advertisement for some unique enterprise, nonprofit organization, charity or favorite university sports team.
Nor is it a cleverly worded "vanity" plate, which also costs an additional fee.
A veteran plate is merely an acknowledgement that the vehicle belongs to an individual who served, or is serving, in our nation's armed forces.
But, that recognition comes at a price in Arizona and New Mexico — every year.
With the number of specialty auto plates in Arizona continuing to increase, I'm sure a similar situation exists in the Land of Enchantment.
Also, if it wasn't for instant communication between police officers and authorities, it'd be nearly impossible for a cop to sort out all the different plates with different names, slogans, clubs and catchy phrases.
So, about the only logical conclusion I can come to is the reason for the plethora of special plates, including military, is it's a money-making deal for the state; a quick and easy way to pull in an extra $25 ($17 in New Mexico) every year from the same customer.
I'm positive there is probably more to this equation than most folks realize. A certain percentage of the $25 ($17 NM) probably goes to the organization mentioned on the plate; another percentage is set aside for state interests, and one-time cost of producing the plate included.
I get that. However, displaying a military veteran plate is not the same as a car's bumper flaunting the driver is a hardcore NMSU Aggie fan.
A military plate informs everyone the owner of the vehicle served honorably in one of the six military branches: U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.
He/she has already paid the price from boot camp to tours of duty — some in life-threatening situations.
Unfortunately, in Arizona and New Mexico, and other places, that unique distinction will cost a veteran a few more bucks.
Yearly.
By the way, this issue isn't really about the $17 - $25 state fee (tax) imposed on our state's veteran citizens.
It's about fairness and recognition of an elite portion of our population who felt compelled to devote a part of their lives to defend and protect the rest of us.
In gratitude, they should not be assessed an additional license plate charge when applying for a veteran's plate, and that tax is imposed every year on the same plate.
Is it really worth it to pocket a few extra dollars from NM veterans in order to fatten the coffers of the state treasury?
I don't think so.
