Veterans can add designation to driver?s license, ID cards

Beginning Monday, an update to Iowa law now allows veterans to have a ?veteran? designation put on their driver?s license or non-operator identification card anytime they seek a new card, not just at the time of renewal.

The cost for a duplicate driver?s license or non-operator ID is $10.

The designation on Iowa driver?s licenses and non-operator IDs is a voluntary initiative designed to assist Iowa veterans who can benefit from discounts offered to them by many businesses. Often, to get the veteran?s benefits, businesses require proof of a veteran?s status. Showing this status on a driver?s license or ID card is just one more way to make obtaining these benefits easier for Iowans who have served their country.

To get the designation, an honorably discharged veteran must present a copy of their DD 214 or applicable discharge document to their county Veterans Affairs office. That office will confirm the applicant?s veteran status and complete an Iowa Department of Transportation form, which authorizes the IDOT to place the designation on the individual?s driver?s license or ID.

The veteran must then take the completed form to any Iowa driver?s license issuance location and request that the veteran designation be added to his or her driver?s license or ID card.

Veterans may expedite the process by bringing a completed application form with them to the county Veterans Affairs office, along with a copy of their DD 214. The form is available online at: https://va.iowa.gov.

Previously, Iowa law only allowed the designation to be added when a driver?s license or non-operator ID was first issued or renewed.