Beginning Thursday, U.S. military veterans can apply for a special “veteran” designation on their driver licenses and identification cards in California, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced.

The California DMV, along with the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), will launch a new program honoring U.S. veterans by allowing vets to apply for the special designation.

“California’s new driver license and identification card program honors and recognizes the military service of our veterans,” said CalVet Secretary Dr. Vito Imbasciani.

Imbascani said the designation will make it easier for businesses to confirm a veteran status when offering discounts to service members. There’s a one-time $5 fee for the veterans designation, plus other fees already in place at the DMV for applications and renewals of licenses or identification cards.

The program is the result of Assembly Bill 935, authored by Assemblymember Jim Frazier.

According to the DMV, the application process for the veteran designation is as follows:

Get Records: Find your military discharge certificate (DD214). If you need assistance obtaining your military records, then contact any County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO).

Find your military discharge certificate (DD214). If you need assistance obtaining your military records, then contact any County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO). Visit Any County Veteran Service Office (CVSO): Take your DD214 and government identification to any CVSO to obtain your Veteran Status Verification Form. For faster CVSO service, make an appointment with any CVSO by calling 844-737-8838 or finding your local CVSO here.

Take your DD214 and government identification to any CVSO to obtain your Veteran Status Verification Form. For faster CVSO service, make an appointment with any CVSO by calling 844-737-8838 or finding your local CVSO here. Visit Any DMV: Go online or call DMV for an appointment. Bring your Veteran Status Verification Form to any DMV field office. Pay any application fees and complete all application and testing requirements. To schedule an appointment at any DMV field office, visit the DMV website or call (800) 777-0133.

Once approved, the new ID card or driver license will include the word “VETERAN” printed on the face of the card issued to the vet who applied for the designation.

In anticipation of the new program, the DMV has launched this webpage specifically for vets, active-duty military and their families to aid in the application process and other DMV services for military.

