Most disabled veterans in Virginia do pay tolls. Despite widespread claims online, Virginia law does not exempt veterans from tolls based on their VA disability rating, even at 100%. The only disability-based toll exemption on the books, found in Virginia Code § 33.2-613(D), is much narrower than commonly described: it applies to drivers with severe upper limb impairments who cannot physically handle coins at a toll basket and whose vehicles are specially equipped for disability operation.1Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 33.2-613 – Free Use of Toll Facilities by Certain State Officers and Employees; Penalties A 2024 bill that would have opened the exemption to veterans rated 100% permanent and total failed, and the gap between what veterans expect and what the statute actually says catches many people off guard.
The Only Disability Exemption Virginia Currently Offers
Under § 33.2-613(D), a driver qualifies for toll-free passage only when all four of the following are true at the same time:
- The vehicle is specially equipped to be operated by a person with a disability.
- The driver has a severe, permanent upper limb mobility or dexterity impairment that makes depositing coins in a toll basket substantially difficult, certified by a licensed physician or by the VA’s Adjudication Office.
- The driver has applied for and received a VDOT-issued window sticker identifying them as eligible.
- That sticker is properly displayed on the vehicle when crossing.
All four conditions must be met together. A 100% service-connected rating on its own does not qualify a veteran for toll-free passage, no matter how severe the underlying condition, unless it specifically involves the upper limbs and the vehicle is modified.1Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 33.2-613 – Free Use of Toll Facilities by Certain State Officers and Employees; Penalties
Why So Many Sources Get This Wrong
Several things feed the confusion. Virginia issues distinctive “DV” license plates to veterans with any service-connected disability under § 46.2-739. No minimum rating is required, and the plates carry no toll benefit whatsoever.2Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 46.2-739 – Special License Plates for Certain Disabled Veterans; Fees Having DV plates does not entitle you to free passage at any Virginia toll facility.
The bigger source of confusion is HB 424, introduced in the 2024 legislative session. It would have authorized free use of all Virginia toll bridges, roads, and other toll facilities for veterans rated 100% permanent and total.3Virginia General Assembly LIS. HB 424 Toll Facilities; Free Use by Certain Disabled Veterans The bill failed.4Virginia General Assembly LIS. HB424 – 2024 Regular Session A number of websites appear to have written about the proposal as though it became law. It did not.
Finally, some other states do offer toll exemptions tied to VA disability ratings. Veterans who move to Virginia sometimes expect the same benefit to follow them, but toll exemptions are set state by state and facility by facility, not by federal rule.5FHWA. Section 129 General Toll Program Questions and Answers
How to Apply If the Upper Limb Exemption Fits
Veterans whose service-connected disability includes a severe upper limb impairment may qualify. The statute lets you use certification from the VA’s Adjudication Office rather than a separate physician, so your existing VA documentation can support the application.1Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 33.2-613 – Free Use of Toll Facilities by Certain State Officers and Employees; Penalties
E-ZPass Virginia runs a Non-Revenue Tag Application specifically for patrons with permanent upper limb mobility or dexterity impairments.6E-ZPass Virginia. Non-Revenue Tag Application – Permanent Upper Limb Mobility Impairment You’ll need your contact information, driver’s license number, and full vehicle details including make, model, year, and VIN, plus certification from a physician or the VA. Once approved, VDOT issues the window sticker and E-ZPass Virginia provides a non-revenue transponder that must be mounted in the vehicle listed on the application. Call the E-ZPass Virginia Customer Service Center at 1-877-762-7824 to confirm you have the current form before mailing anything.
Which Toll Facilities Actually Honor the Exemption
The statute grants qualifying drivers free use of “all toll bridges, toll roads, and other toll facilities in the Commonwealth.”1Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 33.2-613 – Free Use of Toll Facilities by Certain State Officers and Employees; Penalties In practice, Virginia’s toll network mixes state-run facilities, public-private partnerships, and fully private roads, and how the exemption is treated at each one is not uniform.
If you qualify and expect to use express lanes on I-64, I-95, I-66, or I-495, the Dulles Greenway, or the Elizabeth River Crossings tunnels, call both E-ZPass Virginia and the specific facility operator before you travel. Confirm in advance rather than discovering a disputed charge after the fact.
Toll Relief That Isn’t Tied to Veteran Status
If the upper limb exemption doesn’t apply to you, other programs still might. The Elizabeth River Crossings Toll Relief Program offers a 50% discount on up to 14 trips per week through the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels for eligible drivers using an E-ZPass transponder.7City of Norfolk. Toll Relief Program Expands Eligibility to Offer Downtown and Midtown Tunnels Toll Discounts Eligibility runs on income, not veteran status, so veterans living on fixed disability income may fit the criteria.
Crossing State Lines
Toll exemptions do not follow you across state lines. Each state sets its own rules on disabled veteran toll relief, and most programs limit eligibility to their own residents. Federal law leaves the decision entirely to the authority or private operator controlling each facility.5FHWA. Section 129 General Toll Program Questions and Answers A Virginia non-revenue transponder will not automatically waive charges at out-of-state facilities, and an exemption you hold from another state will not be honored in Virginia by default.
Watching for a Change in the Law
The failure of HB 424 doesn’t close the question. Similar bills have appeared in multiple sessions, and if one passes it would likely amend § 33.2-613 to add coverage based on VA rating rather than physical ability to handle coins. Veterans who want to track this can follow bills through the Virginia Legislative Information System and stay in contact with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. Because the current provision is so narrow, even a modest amendment could sharply expand who qualifies, so checking each legislative session is worth the time if tolls are a real line in your budget.