LVMAC Tidbit — PA Designates Its Veterans as License-Worthy
Veterans! Heads Up on Your Next Driver’s License Renewal
On March 4 with a lot of fanfare at Fort Indiantown Gap and after considerable time spent to get it up and running, Governor Corbett officially announced that veterans now can apply to PennDOT’s Department of Motor Vehicles for a new veterans designation on their drivers licenses (or identification cards) at their option and at no extra charge (if being done during as part of the routine cycle for driver’s license renewal or first application). The designation consists of an American flag with the word “Veteran” beneath it. The measure was authorized by Act 176 of 2012.
“The brave men and women who put their lives on the line as part of their service to this country deserve to be fully recognized for their efforts,” Corbett said. “Today, I am proud to be here as we kick off one more way we honor the service of our veterans here in Pennsylvania.”
“The veterans’ designation on drivers’ licenses and identification cards now provides immediate recognition for veterans who may not otherwise have any military identification,” said Major General Wesley Craig, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania (the National Guard is oddly responsible for most of our state’s veterans affairs). “While participation is completely voluntary, it allows veterans to qualify for discounts or other benefits that they are eligible for.” LVMAC is hopeful it will also be used towards helping veterans in need of human services from state and local government.
Qualified applicants for a veterans designation include those who have received a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty/DD214 or equivalent for service in the United States Armed Forces. This includes those who are have served on active duty in the Reserve Components. All must have received a discharge characterized as other than dishonorable. The system does depend on individual honesty to a large measure. Therefore, those who deceive and are caught face very serious consequences.
There is no fee for the designation (unless one is trying to obtain the designation out of cycle, in which case the charge is $13.50 we have been told). However, regular renewal or duplicate fees still apply as they do for any resident of the Commonwealth. The application forms for the driver’s license or ID renewals and duplicates now have a box for applicants to certify that they are a veteran and to have the designation added — for ultimately getting the designation is the choice of the veteran. Once the designation has been added to a driver’s license or identification card, it will automatically appear each time the card is renewed.
Additionally, veterans holding a non-commercial driver’s license or identification card can immediately apply for the designation by visiting www.dmv.state.pa.us and clicking on the American Flag/Veterans Designation icon at the bottom. According to the Governor’s press release, to renew, applicants must complete and mail in a DL-143CD form with applicable fees. To obtain a duplicate CDL with the veterans designation, applicants must complete and mail in a DL-80CD form and applicable fees.
For more information, to include a list of frequently asked questions, go to the applicable PennDOT DMVA webpage.
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As of 5 March 2014