(A) The department may issue the following special license plates reflective of a service-connected disability for passenger vehicles and motorcycles registered to qualifying veterans:

(1) Disabled Veteran-the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation.

(2) Disabled Veteran (wheelchair)-the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation. The applicant also must qualify for handicapped parking privileges as specified in § 56-3-1910 and follow the application process prescribed by § 56-3-1910.

(3) Disabled Female Veteran-the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation.

(4) Disabled Female Veteran (wheelchair)-the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation. The applicant also must qualify for handicapped parking privileges as specified in § 56-3-1910 and follow the application process prescribed by § 56-3-1910.

(B) The qualifying service member or veteran must be one of the registrants of the vehicle. No more than three license plates may be issued to the award recipient. License plates for medals specified in subsection (A) are exempt from the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of Title 56. These special license plates must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month they are issued. Any registration fees collected pursuant to this section from May 6, 2022, to the effective date of this act shall be refunded by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(C) The application for a special license plate must include a letter indicating the appropriate disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(D) License plates authorized under subsection (A) are exempt from the provisions contained in § 56-3-8100.