Harris County Toll Road Authority: Free Tolls for Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart and Legion of Valor Plates
The Harris County Toll Road Authority has charged no tolls since 2009 to Texas-registered vehicles with Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart or Legion of Valor plates, recognising them by the plate. A qualifying driver who is charged can ask for a refund.
Also called: toll, toll road, HCTRA, EZ TAG, free tolls, DV plate, Purple Heart, Legion of Valor, 372.053, Sam Houston Tollway, Westpark.
The Harris County Toll Road Authority runs a Disabled Veteran (DV) Discount Tolling Program under Transportation Code section 372.053; see the Texas toll entry. Since 2009 it has given free tolls on Harris County toll roads to vehicles that are registered in Texas and carry one of these specialty plates:
- Disabled Veteran;
- Purple Heart;
- Legion of Valor (Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross).
How it works. The authority identifies a qualifying vehicle by comparing its plate with plate patterns the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles supplies. Plate patterns change, so the match sometimes fails; a driver with a qualifying plate who is charged should call 281-875-3279 or email [email protected] for a refund. The authority said it gave more than $10 million in free tolls this way in 2016.
The authority's page on the programme dates from November 2017 and has not been revised; it does not mention the Disabled Peace Officer plate that Senate Bill 2001 added to section 372.053 in 2025. The Disabled Veteran plate itself needs a 50% rating, or 40% from a lower extremity amputation; see the Texas plate entry.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Harris County Toll Road Authority: Free Tolls for Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart and Legion of Valor Plates
Gate
Rule
Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart or Legion of Valor plate
The test is the plate. A Disabled Veteran plate needs a 50% rating, or 40% from a lower extremity amputation; Purple Heart and Legion of Valor plates need no rating.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.