Driver and Vehicle Services Assists, Recognizes Veterans Through Various Programs

​Nearly 800,000 veterans calling Pennsylvania home, PennDOT is proud to offer services that benefit the nation's fourth largest veteran population. 

One service offered to veterans to show pride in their service is through requesting a veterans designation on their driver's license or ID card. There is no charge for the designation, however, applicants must pay any applicable initial issuance, renewal or duplicate driver's license or ID card fees. To qualify, a person must self-certify and have received a Certificate of Release or Discharge from active duty (DD214) or equivalent for service in the United States Armed Forces, including reserve components or the National Guard. 

Veterans can further distinguish themselves through a variety of military-themed registration plates identifying their branch of service or depicting certain military honors received during their tour of duty. Details on specific requirements and the many types of plates offered can be found on the PennDOT DMV website – www.dmv.pa.gov – by clicking on the Vehicle Services link, then Military Personnel Veterans in the dropdown and then Military Plates. 

All Pennsylvania vehicle owners can show their support of veterans by purchasing a "Honoring Our Veterans" license plate which was authorized by Act 194 of 2012 and features an image of the American Flag and a Bald Eagle and contains the words "Honoring Our Veterans." 
 
The plate is available for passenger cars and light trucks up to 10,000 pounds, as well as motorcycles and costs $35. Fifteen dollars from the sale of each license plate goes to the Veterans Trust Fund administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The funds are used to support and assist Pennsylvania veterans and their families through grants to veterans service organizations and other charitable organizations. Funds were also used to implement the veterans designation on Pennsylvania driver's licenses and the new system permitting contributions to the Veterans Trust Fund when motorists obtain or renew their driver's licenses or vehicle registrations. For more information and to get a copy of the application, visit https://www.dmv.pa.gov/VEHICLE-SERVICES/Registration%20Plates/Special-Fund/Pages/default.aspx.

In Pennsylvania, Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Knowledge and/or Skills Test can be waived for Pennsylvania residents who are on active or reserve military duty or recent honorably discharged veterans providing those service members have at least two years of experience operating a commercial motor vehicle as part of their military job requirements.  

The waiver applies to CDL applicants who wish to operate vehicles similar to those they operated in the military. To determine if you qualify for the Military CDL Knowledge and/or Skills Test Waiver in Pennsylvania, please visit https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Information-Centers/Military-Veterans/Pages/Military-Personnel.aspx.