Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2018

Contacts:
Lisa Koumjian
[email protected]

Tim O’Brien
[email protected]

DMV REMINDS NY VETERANS CUSTOM MILITARY SERIES LICENSE PLATES AVAILABALE

Eligible Veterans Can Also Get Special Designation on Their License or ID

Commercial Driver License Skills Test Waiver Available to Veterans with Specific Military Experience

In celebration of Veterans Day, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today reminded the nearly 750,000 veterans who call New York home that they can display their pride in their branch of service on their license plates. Veterans can also apply for a special veteran status designation on their driver license or non-driver ID card, and those with experience driving commercial motor vehicles in the military can apply for a waiver of the skills road test when applying for a commercial driver license (CDL).

“We are very proud of the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who have answered the call to protect the freedom and values of our state and nation,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “We greatly appreciate the sacrifices they and their families have made, and it is a small token of our gratitude to offer these custom license plates to acknowledge their remarkable courage and service.”

The branch specific license plates, made available for the first time in New York last year, are the newest offering in the Military and Veteran custom plate series. They are available for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marines.

In addition to the service branch-specific plates, DMV offers many custom plates representing military and veteran communities, medals and awards, and wars and battles. Some of the most popular plates in this series include: United States Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veteran.

DMV’s plates honoring veterans are available for passenger and commercial vehicles, and some are also available for motorcycles. More information on veteran license plates and other military service related plates and a full gallery of military and veteran plates are available on the DMV website.

To purchase a custom plate, New Yorkers are required to verify their military service with a copy of their discharge papers (DD-214 or equivalent documentation) and mail a copy with a completed application.

DMV also offers a special veteran status designation on the driver licenses and non-driver ID cards of honorably discharged veterans. Eligible veterans who request this designation will have the word “veteran” printed on their newly issued driver license, permit, or non-driver ID. Many businesses offer discounts to veterans, and the designation makes it simpler and more convenient for veterans to verify their status without having to carry multiple forms of identification.

To receive the veteran status indicator, applicants must mark the appropriate box on the application form and show their original Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214), which states either Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions in the Character of Service section. Applicants may apply through the mail or by visiting their local DMV office. More information and details on how to apply for a veteran status indicator can be found on the DMV website.

Veterans who have military experience driving commercial motor vehicles can apply for a waiver of the CDL skills road test when applying for a CDL. Applicants are still required to pass all applicable written tests. Visit the DMV website to learn more about the military skills test waiver.

To learn more about the NYS DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov, or follow the DMV conversation online at Facebook and Twitter.

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