Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans
A Texas driver license or ID card may be provided free-of-charge to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces if the veteran meets all four requirements:
- was honorably discharged
- has a service-related disability of at least 60 percent
- receives compensation from the United States because of the disability, and
- not subject to sex offender registration requirements
NOTE: The driver license fee exemption does not apply to commercial driver licenses.
Verification of Disability
To qualify for a fee exemption, veterans must present documents to verify their disability status while at the driver license office. If renewing by mail, the verification documents must be included with the renewal invitation. Verification documents should be copies; do not mail in originals. Once the disability status is established, the veteran will be eligible to use online services for fee-exempt driver license or identification card transactions.
To verify the disability, please present one of the following:
- A signed letter on disability status issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; or
- Official documents certifying conditions 1, 2, and 3 above.*
*If a veteran receives disability compensation but does not have a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, verification of the disability must be provided by the veteran’s branch of military service.
Veteran/Disabled Veteran Designation for Driver Licenses and Identification cards
The department offers a VETERAN and DISABLED VETERAN designation printed on the face of driver licenses and identification cards for qualifying veterans.
Veteran Designation Eligibility
To be eligible for the veteran designation, an individual must be a veteran who was honorably discharged or has a general discharge (under honorable conditions).
For this purpose, a veteran is someone who served in the:
- Army
- Air Force
- Coast Guard
- Marines
- Navy
- Texas National Guard (but not Texas State Guard), including the Texas Army and Air National Guard
Verification of Veteran and Discharge Status
To request the Veteran designator, a Veteran must visit a driver license office and present one of the following:
- DD-214
- DD-215
- NGB-22
- PHS1867
- Block 19 of the PHS1867 form must show dates of military service, “Honorable” or “General under Honorable conditions” and order# or branch authority
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Proof of Service/Verification of Honorable Service Card
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs disability letter
- A Texas concealed handgun license (CHL) or license to carry (LTC) with a veteran designator
- Veterans Identification Card (VIC)
The document presented, may be a copy or an original AND MUST SHOW the veteran received an honorable discharge or a general discharge (under honorable conditions). To request the Veteran designator within your renewal period, the request may be made by mail or by visiting a driver license office.
Disabled Veteran Designation Eligibility
Individuals who meet the requirements for a Veteran designator and are at least 50% disabled or 40% disabled* with a lower extremity amputation may instead request a Disabled Veteran designator.
Individuals who are eligible for a Veteran or Disabled Veteran designator may, at their option, request their branch of service be displayed on the DL or ID. The available branches of service are:
- Army
- Air Force
- Coast Guard
- Marines
- Navy
* A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability letter identifying the percentage of disability is required.
Veterans Out-of-State
Veterans who are out of the state may request the veteran designation by mailing the following:
- Out-of-state/country application
- Copy of DD-214 or DD-215
- Texas Residency Documentation
- Texas driver license or ID card Renewal/Replacement application
- Explanation of Eye Specialist (form required only if renewing a driver license)
- Required fee* (Please send a check, money order or cashier’s check payable to TX DPS.)
*The veteran designation is free-of-charge when applying for an original/renewal driver license or when making a change to a license. Veterans who are only adding a designation must pay the required fee for a duplicate license.
Mailing Address:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Central Cash Receiving
P.O. Box 15999
Austin, TX 78761-5999
Residency Addresses outside of Texas
Military personnel and the spouse or dependent of a member of the armed forces should give a complete address such as: John Henry Smith, Co. B, 25th Inf., Camp Barkley, Abilene, Texas. If a member of the armed forces or the spouse or dependent of a member of the armed forces has a residence address in Texas, it should be provided and used. A member of the armed forces and the spouse or dependent of a member of the armed forces may provide a residence address outside of Texas.
Disabled Veterans
Veterans who qualify for a fee-exempt driver license as outlined in the "Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans" section will not be charged the duplicate license fee to add the veteran designation.
Notice: Veteran Contribution
When you apply for an original or renewal of a Texas non-commercial driver license or personal identification card, you may now make a voluntary contribution in any amount to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance. For more information concerning these contributions, please visit the Texas Veterans Commission website.
Veteran Services
Texas Veterans Commission's purpose is to serve Texas Veterans, their families, and survivors in all matters pertaining to Veterans benefits and rights.