GLEN BURNIE, MD – To honor and thank veterans who have courageously served our country, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) is issuing “VETERAN” magnets that resemble the Maryland Proud license plate at branch offices November 6-9 to commemorate Veterans Day. This is the latest effort in a series of recent customer service initiatives made under Governor Hogan’s leadership to provide premier customer service to veterans.
“It is so important that we honor the men and women who sacrificed so much for our nation – on Veterans Day and every day. This is just one way our state can show our appreciation for their service,” said Governor Hogan.
“At MDOT, we are committed to giving veterans a customer service experience that truly reflects how much we value their service to this country, and we will continue to look for opportunities to better serve them,” said MDOT Secretary Pete K. Rahn.
Under Governor Hogan’s direction, MDOT MVA has made several new customer service improvements aimed at eliminating obstacles faced by veterans who conduct business with the agency. Most recently, MDOT MVA changed the acceptable sources of proof for veteran status for those who retired from military service prior to 1950. Previously, these military veterans were turned away if they did not provide a DD214, separation of service form. However, through consultation and collaboration with the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, MDOT MVA now accepts other forms of proof that can be used in place of the DD214 form. MDOT MVA has also increased the list of acceptable documents to include the Veteran Health Identification Card, which will make the process much easier for many veterans.
“Feedback we receive from Maryland veterans indicates they really appreciate the recent MDOT MVA customer service enhancements,” said Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary George W. Owings III. “We will continue to work closely with MDOT MVA to ensure the needs of veterans are continuously addressed.”
In 2016, with the introduction of the new Maryland Proud Driver’s License and ID card, one of the most secure in the nation, the veteran designation was placed on the front of the card, instead of on the back, as in the previous version. This relocated feature allows veterans to be quickly identified so that they can access the services they need more easily. In addition, the $20 fee veterans were previously required to pay to get the status listed on their license has been eliminated.
Also in 2016, MDOT MVA began issuing permanent vehicle registration cards and license plate stickers to Maryland veterans who qualify as 100 percent disabled. This idea was generated by an MDOT MVA employee, based on observation and customer feedback requesting a more convenient method to renew vehicle registration stickers on their gratis plates. This initiative removed the need for veterans to visit a branch office to complete their renewal. The registration they now receive is permanent and they are no longer required to make a physical trip to an MDOT MVA office.
“Veterans in Maryland, and across the United States, have dedicated their lives for our safety,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Christine E. Nizer. “Our goal as an agency is to eliminate these challenges and make their experience as easy as possible.”
To learn more about additional products and services provided to veterans, including military-related license plates, disabled veterans license plates and more, visit: mva.maryland.gov.
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