Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) today presented a bill that makes it easier for Veterans to receive the “VETERAN” indicator on Minnesota drivers’ licenses or identification cards.

Currently to receive the “Veteran” designation on a drivers’ license, a DD214 form must be provided as proof of identification. Not having this indication on a license does not affect any VA benefits but does allow veterans to use their state identification card to receive veteran discounts at local businesses. This bill would allow Veterans to provide other forms of documentation in lieu of the DD214 official form.

“This is a simple change that allows our Veterans to more-easily add the ‘Veteran’ designation to their drivers’ license cards,” said Howe. “DD214 forms are extremely personal documents, that are often stored and kept safely away in personal documents and are not always easy to access for something as incidental as applying for a license.”

This bill was passed as amended in the Transportation Committee, and now heads to the Veterans Committee.