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How to get a “Veteran” designation on your driver’s license or nonoperator identification card

Sample driver's license showing Veteran designation

Honorably discharged veterans are eligible to have a “Veteran” designation placed on their driver’s license (DL) or nonoperator identification (ID) card at the time that the card is first issued or upon renewal of an existing card.

Iowa law currently prohibits the veteran designation from being added to an existing DL or ID card by means of obtaining a duplicate. Therefore, if you have an existing DL or ID card, you must wait until your card’s renewal period to obtain the designation. (DL and ID cards can be renewed 30 days prior to expiration. If special circumstances exist and can be proven that make this renewal period impractical, Iowa law also permits the Iowa DOT to issue a card up to one year prior to its expiration date.)

Iowa law currently prohibits the veteran designation from being added to an existing DL or ID card by means of obtaining a duplicate. Therefore, if you have an existing DL or ID card, you must wait until your card’s renewal period to obtain the designation.
The veteran designation is a completely voluntary initiative designed to assist Iowa veterans. There are thousands of businesses throughout Iowa and the United States, including restaurants, hotels and even home improvement stores that give discounts to veterans. Some of those businesses require proof of veteran status. The veteran designation on a DL or ID  card allows you to be quickly identified as a veteran, eliminating the need to carry official military papers for these purposes.   

To be authorized to get the veteran designation placed on your DL or ID card, you must first present a copy of your DD 214 or applicable discharge document to your county Veterans Affairs office. That office will confirm your veteran status and complete the required Iowa DOT application form. When you are ready to renew your DL or ID (or get your first Iowa-issued DL or ID card), take the completed form with you to the driver’s license issuance location. The veteran designation will be added to your DL or ID card when it is issued.  

To expedite the authorization process, you can also bring a completed Iowa DOT application form with you to the county VA office, along with your DD 214. The form is available online at:  https://va.iowa.gov.