Any veteran who has been honorably discharged from service with the armed forces or the merchant marine of the United States in any of the wars, declared or undeclared, in which the United States has been engaged and who, by reason of that service, has become totally blind, shall be further exempt from the payment of any fee for the annual registration of a pleasure motor vehicle owned by the veteran and operated for his or her pleasure and convenience. The veteran shall be entitled to display on that vehicle the special registration plates as shall be issued by the division of motor vehicles.