The distinctive license plates provided for by this division shall be prepared by the Commissioner of Revenue and shall be issued through the probate judge or license commissioner of the several counties of the state in like manner as are other motor vehicle license plates or tags, and, except as herein provided, such officers shall be entitled to their regular fees for such service. Applicants for such distinctive plates shall present to the issuing official proof of their military retirement by proof satisfactory to the commissioner. When the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the commissioner, the retired military person or retired reservist or his or her spouse shall be issued the requested number of distinctive license plates or tags upon the payment of the regular license fee for tags, as provided by law, and the additional payment of a fee of three dollars ($3) for each plate issued. The applicant shall pay the additional three dollars ($3) fee for each additional license plate issued in the future, however in those years in which only a decal is issued the applicant shall pay the regular license fees for tags, as provided by law. The distinctive license plates or tags so issued shall be used only upon and for personally-owned, private passenger vehicles (to include station wagons and pick-up trucks) registered in the name of the retired military person or retired reservist or his or her spouse making application therefor, and when so issued to such applicant shall be used upon the vehicle for which issued in lieu of the standard license plates or license tags normally issued for the vehicle. Upon the death of any retired military license plate recipient, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to retain the distinctive plate, upon the continued payment of the regular taxes and fees required by law, for one private motor vehicle owned by the surviving spouse for the remainder of the lifetime of the surviving spouse or until the remarriage of the spouse.