Mass. to Offer 'Veteran' Designation on Driver's Licenses and ID Cards

The Patrick-Murray Administration's Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will begin offering Massachusetts veterans the option to have the word “Veteran” appear on their driver’s license or ID card, starting in January 2012.

“With over 393,000 veterans across the Commonwealth, we need to do our part to increase awareness about available resources for military servicemen and women,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray, chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services in a press release. “With the RMV already designating ‘Veterans’ on license plates, we’re now extending that designation to include state identification cards and licenses as a means to better inform these deserving men and women of services and benefits they have rightfully earned.”

The "Veteran" designation is designed to increase awareness about available resources and benefits. The feature will provide valuable information to first responders and will help the Department of Veterans’ Services notify veterans of benefits they are eligible to receive. 

"The Registry of Motor Vehicles is excited about the new veteran designation, which is a free service upon license renewal," said Registrar Kaprielian. "Veterans who have not accessed Department of Veterans' Services will find a wide of array of benefits are available."

There is no additional cost for the "Veteran" designation, as long as it is added during an individual’s license renewal process. Standard license renewal and duplication fees apply.

Massachusetts joins a series of states that offer a "Veteran" designation, including: North Dakota, Utah and Georgia. The RMV expects this designation to be available to customers by mid-January 2012.

Last week, Governor Deval Patrick declared November 2011 as

For more information about the Department of Veterans Services: http://www.mass.gov/veterans

For more information on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation RMV: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/