Arkansas Veteran Designation on a Driver License or ID

The word "Veteran" on an Arkansas driver licence or ID for anyone whose discharge document shows honorable or general under honorable conditions. It costs nothing extra at a new licence or renewal. A member serving out of state can have an Arkansas licence extended until 60 days after separation.

Also called: 27-16-812, veteran designation, Nick Bacon Remembrance Act, general under honorable conditions, DD 214, NGB 22, DD 2 retired, licence extension, military member.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

ArkansasState

Arkansas Code section 27-16-812 lets anyone apply to the Office of Driver Services for a veteran designation on a licence or identification card by showing a discharge document "that shows a discharge status of 'honorable' or 'general under honorable conditions'", including a DD 214, NGB 22, a VA veteran identification card, DD 256, DD 257, or a retired or reserve retired DD 2. A general discharge qualifies. The Army benefits library (re-read 2026-10-24) says the designation is for veterans "who received an honorable discharge". The statute and the Finance department's own page, re-read the same day, both accept a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions". The cost is the ordinary licence fee. Added at a new licence or renewal, the designation costs nothing more. Added mid-term it is a duplicate licence at the duplicate fee under section 27-16-806. Members serving away. The department's page sets out the extension for a military member, including a Guard member on state active duty: a licence that is not suspended, cancelled or revoked does not expire while the member is outside Arkansas, if the member applies for the extension, and stays valid until 60 days after separation or honorable discharge. Call Driver Services issuance at 501-682-7059. Act 655 of 2025 requires the new veterans benefits poster that larger employers must display to mention the designation.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Arkansas Veteran Designation on a Driver License or ID
Gate	Rule
Honorable or general under honorable conditions	Ark. Code Ann. § 27-16-812(a)(1)(A).

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed DD214 or other separation documents
One of the proofs the source accepts.
Where to get it Download it from milConnect if your branch has it there, or request it from the National Archives. A VA application can ask VA to request it for you.
Listed by DFA Driver Services, military and veterans read 2026-10-10
Needed NGB Form 22 (National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service)
One of the proofs the source accepts.
Where to get it The personnel office of the state National Guard you served in.
Listed by DFA Driver Services, military and veterans read 2026-10-10

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-24.

What changed then:

Source removed: “U.S. Army benefits library, Arkansas”.
Description reworded (1 passage).

Request an update

Out of date, a broken link, or something else wrong? Say what you found, and an editor checks it against the official source.

Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.