Veteran Indicator

Add a Veteran Indicator to Your License 

Virginia Over 21 Commercial Driver's License, REAL ID Compliant, Veteran Indicator

If you’re a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, you may add the word “Veteran” to your driver's license or ID card. This lets you show your veteran status at retailers and restaurants that offer veteran discounts.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the veteran indicator, you must:

  1. Be a Virginia resident
  2. Apply for or currently hold an unexpired Virginia driver's license, commercial driver's license, learner's permit or DMV-issued ID card
  3. Have served either (1) in the active U.S. Armed Forces or (2) for more than 180 days in the Virginia National Guard or U.S. Reserves
  4. Have received an honorable discharge
  5. Provide a veteran service proof document, or combination of documents, that includes your branch of service, discharge date and discharge status (eg., DD 214, DD 256, WD AGO, or NGB 22)
  • OR you may present your U.S. Military Retiree ID Card (DD Form 2) and a completed Virginia Veteran Military Service Certification application (DL 11)
  1. Consent for your application information and any subsequent address changes you make to be shared with the Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS).

See Code of Virginia for more on eligibility.

How to Apply 

Apply Online

You can apply for a veteran indicator online, by mail, by fax or in person at a DMV customer service center.

If applying online, you must submit the required veteran service proof document(s) to DMV within 45 days of submitting your online application. These documents can be submitted online, by mail, fax or in person.

If you are applying by mail, fax or in person, you must submit a completed Virginia Veteran Military Service Certification and a copy of your veteran service proof document(s) to:

  • Mail

    Driver Support Work Center, Room 419 
    P. O. Box 27412 
    Richmond, VA 23269-0001

  • Fax 
    804-367-1112
  • In Person 
    Make an appointment to visit any DMV customer service center or stop by any day we’re open. 

Receiving Your Veteran Indicator

Once DMV processes your application, we’ll mail you your new veteran license or ID.

If you applied in person, we’ll give you a receipt showing all of the information that will display on your card. While you’re waiting for your card in the mail, you may use the receipt to show proof of veteran status and receive discounts.

What It Costs

Adding a veteran indicator costs nothing. But you will need to pay the standard fee for the license or ID you’re adding the indicator to. See our fee chart for details.

Sharing Information with DVS

Every six months, DMV electronically shares with DVS information from your veteran indicator application and any subsequent address changes you make. DVS may use the information to:

  • Establish a record for veterans not in the DVS database
  • Mail letters about DVS services
  • Determine if the veteran has filed a VA claim

To get a veteran indicator, you must agree to DMV sharing your information with DVS. 

 

View VA Veterans Resource Guide