Proof of service.

Teigen, Anne

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Active duty servicemen and women have military ID cards to prove their status, but veterans must carry the comparatively large Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty--referred to as a DD214--to prove their military experience.

To make it easier and more convenient for veterans to verify their service, 14 state legislatures have passed measures to allow a military designation on driver's licenses, and at least 21 legislatures are considering similar legislation. In Massachusetts, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (without legislative action) began issuing licenses this year with a veteran designation.

For the tens of thousands of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, this new ID on their driver's license will help when applying for a job, seeking services at the Department of Veterans Affairs, or simply taking advantage of a retailer's discount.

Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah allow a military designation on driver's licenses. Most made the change in the past three years. In Arkansas, for example, a bold, red "VETERAN" appears below the driver's photo. On Maine licenses, along with the iconic moose, veterans are photographed in front of a blue backdrop with white stars. Although Florida already has a military designation on its driver's license, the Legislature is considering a bill to provide a temporary "V" sticker, for a $2 fee, for use between renewals.

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