If you’re like many veterans, you don’t carry your military discharge papers around with you as proof of your military servic
e. That can be a drawback when you want to confirm that you are eligible for a veterans discount, take advantage of a free meal being offered on Veterans Day or just show off your pride of military service.
When you add the veteran designation to your California driver license, consider the problem solved. Your driver license now doubles as a veteran ID card — and you may discover some unknown benefits due to you in the process.
Some 64,000 California veterans have already applied for the veteran designation, which makes it easier to access privileges and benefits if you don’t have a retired military ID or VA ID.
You will need to start by bringing your DD-214 to a County Veterans Services Office (CVSO) to have your veteran status verified. While you’re there be sure to ask about other benefits you may be eligible for. CVSOs offer assistance with preparing claims for disability, pension, compensation, education benefits, medical care and death benefits, such as burial allowances.
To apply for the designation, complete the following steps:
- Begin by taking your DD-214 to a CVSO to obtain a Veteran Status Verification Form. To find a local CVSO, call 844-737-8838 or check our web listing. While you’re there, be sure to ask about other benefits you might be eligible for.
- Make an appointment to visit the DMV by scheduling online or calling 1-800-777-0133. You must bring the completed and stamped Veteran Status Verification Form and driver license application to your appointment at a DMV field office.
- Pay your one-time $5 designation fee, in addition to any other application fees associated with a renewal, duplicate or original driver license and/or ID card.
In the two years since Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed legislation authorizing a veteran designation on California driver licenses and identification cards, more than 64,000 veterans have applied and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has issued more than 55,000.
When you’re ready to apply, it’s easy to get started. Contact your local CVSO today.
calvetconnect.blog 
Lowes will not accept the drivers license with veterans designation after this year. still want use to bring docs to the store. somebody needs to talk to them
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Thanks for the update. We will look into it.
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Thank you. Add another, easier way to get a veteran tag on license. Just show your valid military ID during license renewal?
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Why won’t the DMV accept retired military ID card for verification to get “Veteran” designation license?
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Good question, the form must be certified as it is easy to reproduce – the CVSO’s can help with that – to find one near you visit https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetSe…/Pages/CVSO-Locations.aspx
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I’ll apply for a veteran ID at DMV they kept asking me about my DD214 form. So I finally found my DD-214 form and sent it to DMV. So I waited the 14 days they say it would be in the mail so I checked Time After Time it never surface. So I called them back and they said they was having problems with my DD 214 form. They said they could not see the character of service which was line three of the DD-214 form. So after I explain to them that it was on line three so they finally called me and said they would mail it out once I received it. And still didn’t have any veterans mark on it at all and I believe I paid for that to be on my license. Once again I have to call them back to rectify this it been going on since June 28th 2023.
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