Texas Toll Road Discounts for Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart and Legion of Valor Plates

Transportation Code section 372.053 governs discounts on Texas toll roads. It applies to every toll project entity: the Texas Department of Transportation, a regional tollway authority, a regional mobility authority, and a county that builds toll roads under chapter 284 (section 372.001). What the law requires. An entity "may" set up a discount programme for its electronic toll customers (subsection (a)). If it does, the programme "must include free or discounted use" of its toll roads for an electronic toll account tied to a vehicle registered with one of these plates (subsection (a-1)): - Disabled Veteran plates, section 504.202: a service-connected disability of 50 percent, or 40 percent from the amputation of a lower extremity, with VA compensation; see the Texas plate entry; - Legion of Valor plates, section 504.315(f): the Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross or Navy Cross; - Purple Heart plates, section 504.315(g); - since September 1, 2025, Disabled Peace Officer plates, section 504.2025 (Senate Bill 2001). What it leaves to each operator. Whether there is a programme at all, whether the use is free or only discounted, and how a driver enrols. An entity may cap the free or discounted transponders at two per participant, with a third on a showing of hardship (subsection (a-2)). The Legislature may fund the cost but need not (subsection (b)). In practice. The plate, not the rating letter, is the key: register the vehicle with the qualifying plate at the county tax office, then open an account with the toll operator and ask about its veteran programme. The Harris County Toll Road Authority has given free tolls to qualifying plates since 2009; the Harris County entry describes it. The county pages say where a county runs its own toll roads.