Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder on Thursday announced that honorably discharged veterans may now visit any driver services center in the state to obtain a specially designated veteran driver license or photo identification card.
Legislation authorizing the state to publically recognize veterans’ military service was passed in 2011. The veteran designation could not be offered, however, until the latest redesign of driver licenses and photo ID cards. A newly-designed card and a new process called “central issuance,” in which driver licenses and photo ID cards are mailed to citizens from a central location, are now being used in all driver services centers.
“We know that veterans have waited a long time for this special recognition. It is the least we can do to honor their service to our state and country,” Mr. Gibbons said. “We are pleased to now be able to offer this designation to any honorably discharged veteran who presents the proper discharge form,” he added.
“To be recognized by the state through this new veteran designated driver license or ID is incredibly important to those who served our country,” Ms. Grinder said. “This new ID will also be a source of convenience for veterans who do not typically carry their discharge papers with them everywhere they go to prove their veteran status.”
Veterans must visit a driver services center and present a certified or original copy of their Department of Defense form 214 (DD-214), which is also known as discharge papers, to receive the special designation on a driver license or photo ID card. If the license or card is a renewal or duplicate of a non-commercial driver license, veterans may also visit one of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s county clerk partners.
The standard state issuance or renewal fees apply for the transaction. If it is not time to renew a driver license or photo ID, veterans may get a duplicate to replace a current non-commercial license or ID for $8 for the first duplicate and $12 for a second duplicate.
Visit www.tn.gov/safety for a list of driver services centers and county clerk partners offering this service.