Veteran Driver's License Designation

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) offers a veteran designation on a driver’s license or identification (ID) card for qualifying veterans. This designation shows that you are a United States veteran and may make you eligible for certain benefits.

Veteran is defined as an individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

Important notice about your privacy

When you choose the veteran designation, you consent to being contacted by the appropriate executive branch agencies about your eligibility for state or federal veteran benefits.

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for a veteran designation

You are eligible if your documents show your discharge status as one of the following:

• Honorable
• General
• General under honorable conditions/discharge

Step 2: Know the cost of a veteran designation

There is no cost to you if you add the veteran designation at any time without making any other changes.

Standard fees apply if you are:

• Renewing your driver’s license or ID
• Making other changes (for example: name, address, or other corrections)

Step 3: Make an appointment at a MVA branch

You may add or remove the veteran designation when you:

• Renew your license or ID,
• Correct your license or ID, or
• Get a new license or ID

You must make an appointment at any MVA branch through myMVA to add or remove the veteran designation on your driver’s license or ID. Contact the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families if you need help getting your documents.

Step 4: Bring the right documents to your appointment

Please bring an original or certified copy of one (1) of the following:

• Veteran’s Medical Card / DD214 Military Discharge Certificate
• Honorable Discharge Certificate (includes discharge that is less than honorable)
• Letter from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri
• Letter from the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Service Program
• Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• United States Uniformed Services Retiree Identification Card (DD Form 2)
• Veteran Health Identification Card

Veterans who retired before 1950

The MVA has expanded sources of proof for veteran status. In collaboration with the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, the MVA now accepts the following forms instead of the DD214 separation of service form:

• WD AGO 53
• WD AGO 55
• WD AGO 53-55
• NAVPERS 553
• NAVMC 78PD
• NAVCG 553

If you do not have these documents

If you do not have one of the required documents, please contact the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families to get documentation that verifies your status as a veteran.