District of Columbia Driver Licence and ID Veteran Designation

The word VETERAN printed on a District licence or identification card for anyone who served on active duty and was discharged other than dishonorably. The DMV’s page says honorable, which is narrower than the Code.

Also called: D.C. Code 50-1401.01(b)(3), D.C. Code 50-1401.03(a)(2), veteran designation, driver license, identification card, DD 214, DD 256, WD AGO, REAL ID.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

District of ColumbiaState

D.C. Code 50-1401.01(b)(3): an applicant for an operator's permit "who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable" may submit "a DD Form 214, a WD AGO form, or a DD256 form certifying the applicant's veteran status", and the DMV "shall display the word 'veteran' in capital letters". D.C. Code 50-1401.03(a)(2) does the same for the federally accepted identification card. The discharge standard. The statute says other than dishonorable. The DMV's veteran designation page says "you must have been honorably discharged". A veteran with a general or other than honorable discharge meets the Code and should cite it if refused. The Army benefits library repeats the DMV's honorable wording. Guard and reserves. The statute requires active duty service. A Guard member or reservist whose only service was drills and initial training may not qualify on its words; one who was mobilized and has a DD-214 does. How. Visit a DMV service center with the document; it is not free-standing and is added when a licence or card is issued or renewed. There is no separate fee in the statute. Related. D.C. Code 50-1401.01(a)(6) lets the DMV extend a District licence for up to six years for a resident on active duty outside the District who held a valid licence when leaving.

Thresholds

Thresholds for District of Columbia Driver Licence and ID Veteran Designation
Gate	Rule
Active duty and a discharge other than dishonorable	D.C. Code 50-1401.01(b)(3); 50-1401.03(a)(2). The DMV asks for an honorable discharge.

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, WD AGO form or DD256 showing a discharge other than dishonorable
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 D.C. Code § 50-1401.01, operator permits read 2026-10-10

Sources

D.C. Code § 50-1401.01, operator permitsOfficial
D.C. Code § 50-1401.03, federally accepted licence and identification cardOfficial
DC DMV, veteran designationOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-30.

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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.