GLEN BURNIE, MD (November 8, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration will close all branch offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) stations on Friday, November 10, in observance of Veterans Day. All branch offices will reopen for normal operations by appointment only on Saturday, November 11. VEIP testing will also resume on November 11 and does not require an appointment.  To honor Maryland’s veterans, the agency will issue commemorative mugs to active and retired service members on Saturday, November 11. The mugs will be available while supplies last. Additionally, the agency will participate in Operation Green Light by illuminating its Glen Burnie campus green. Operation Green Light is an initiative to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the resources available to assist veterans and their families. |
“Our military members and their families demonstrate endless bravery and sacrifice to serve our country and we as a motor vehicle agency are honored to show our appreciation by providing premier customer service and connecting Maryland military members with essential services,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “The Motor Vehicle Administration will continue to prioritize ways we can remove unnecessary burdens and enhance services that directly benefit active and retired members.” Since forming a partnership in 2019 with the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs to open Veteran Benefits Offices in several branches statewide, more than 100,000 veterans and their beneficiaries have been assisted. The Veteran Benefits Offices are located in six Motor Vehicle Administration branches: Bel Air, Cumberland, Gaithersburg, Glen Burnie, Hagerstown and Salisbury. These offices have a fulltime veteran’s benefits specialist available to assist veterans and their families in applying for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. “The services our MVA team provide every day to veterans and active military personnel, and our continued partnership with the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, reflect the tremendous respect and gratitude we share for all those who defend our nation,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “On Veterans Day and every day, we give our thanks.” To assist veterans and active-duty personnel as they transition to civilian careers, the agency will waive the Commercial Drivers License skills test requirements for a class A or B commercial license for veterans who have been discharged within the previous 12 months, active-duty personnel, reservists and members of the national guard who meet specific criteria. Criteria and additional information can be found here. Additionally, a measure approved by the Maryland General Assembly exempts active military personnel from VEIP requirements for vehicles owned by at least one active-duty member of the military who is deployed outside of the United States or in a state not subject to a vehicle emissions inspection. The Motor Vehicle Administration leadership proposed the bill after meeting the mother of a soldier who was stationed out of state and was unable to complete the emissions inspection on his vehicle, which was registered in Maryland. The agency also has several ways for veterans to show their pride. Driver’s license and identification card holders can add a “Veteran” designation to their card, which indicates they are eligible for state veteran benefits. The Motor Vehicle Administration also issues permanent vehicle registration cards and license plate stickers to Maryland veterans who qualify as 100% disabled. Veterans who qualify as permanently disabled receive free registration with any plate type. This is available for more than 100 types of specialty license plates honoring veterans and their families, including the newly added Space Force plates. For more information, visit the Military and Veterans page here. The agency’s self-service VEIP kiosks, online services, and 24-hour kiosks will be available throughout the holiday weekend. Customers are encouraged to sign up for a myMVA account to take advantage of the many services available online. With a myMVA account, customers can access their driver’s license information including their REAL ID status, check their vehicle registration status, view Motor Vehicle Administration correspondence, check their vehicle emissions inspection program deadlines and complete an array of online services. ###
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