Veteran Designation FAQs

Who is eligible for a "VETERAN" designation?

Any veteran of the United States military may choose to obtain the "VETERAN" designation on the back of a Missouri driver or nondriver license.

Applicants requesting the "VETERAN" designation must submit one of the following documents to verify veteran status at the time of initial request for the driver or nondriver license with the new designation:

  • A United States Department of Defense discharge document, otherwise known as a DD Form 214, that shows a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions" that establishes the person's service in the Armed Forces of the United States;
  • A United States Uniformed Services Identification Card, otherwise known as a DD Form 2, that includes a discharge status of "retired" or "reserve retired" establishing the person's service in the Armed Forces of the United States;
  • A United States Department of Veterans Affairs photo identification card; or
  • A discharge document WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78 PD, NAVCG 553, DD 215, or DD 256MC form that shows a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions".

Are there other documents that may be accepted to obtain a veteran designation?

Less than 1% of veterans may have a document other than those specifically listed in section 302.188 RSMo, which the National Personnel Records Center, the Department of Defense and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognize as an equivalent type document. If you do not have one of the listed documents, contact your local Veteran Services Officer (VSO). To find your local VSO, visit the Missouri Veteran’s Commission’s Resource Portal.

If you need additional assistance finding your local VSO, you may also contact:

Missouri Veterans Commission
ATTN: Veteran's Driver License Designation
205 Jefferson Street 12th Floor
PO Drawer 147
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0147
Telephone: 573-751-3779
Email: movets@mvc.dps.mo.gov

Your local VSO will help to review the alternate documentation you have, make the determination if the submitted documents meet the criteria as an equivalent type, and issue an equivalency letter to you. After you receive the letter, you may take it to any Missouri license office (along with all other required documents) to apply for a new driver license or nondriver ID with the Veteran Designation. Standard fees apply.

Will I be required to submit the veteran status verification document upon each new, renewal or duplicate transaction to retain the indicator once added?

No, after the designation is added to the driver or nondriver license, you will not be required to resubmit the verification document to retain the designation on subsequent driver license or nondriver license transactions. However, if you had initially added the designation to a driver license and are now requesting it to be added for the first time to a nondriver license (or vice versa), you may be required to re-submit an acceptable document.

Is there an additional cost to add the "VETERAN" designation?

There is no additional cost to add the indicator; however, the standard new, renewal or duplicate transaction and processing fees will apply.

Are veterans required to obtain the new indicator on a driver license or nondriver license?

No, you are not required by law to obtain the veteran designation. It is an optional designation.

What will the "VETERAN" designation look like, and where may I find it on my driver license or nondriver license?

The designation will be posted upon request to the back of the document. It will appear as a banner symbol with the word "VETERAN" within the banner.

The veteran designation will be posted upon request to the back of the document.