
Kentucky veterans can now request a driver's license that indicates their service to the country. The word VETERAN is printed vertically and in capital letters along the right border of the driver's photo. This allows veterans to easily display their veteran status to businesses and other organizations that offer benefits to military members without having to carry their discharge papers. To be eligible for the veteran designation, an individual must be a veteran who was honorably discharged or has a general discharge. Each state has different rules and costs for this, so it is important to contact the state DMV in advance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State | Kentucky |
| Veteran designation on driver's license | Available |
| Veteran designation on state ID card | Available |
| Requirements | Bring DD 214 or other qualifying discharge document to the local Circuit Clerk |
| License plates | Kentucky offers distinguished military honor license plates commemorating different military branches, service medals, specific campaigns, and individual battles |
| License plate fees | Up to $26 on top of the standard registration fees, including a $5 mandatory donation to the Veterans Trust Fund |
| Disabled veteran license plate | Free for veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 50% |
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What You'll Learn
- Kentucky veterans can obtain a driver's license with the VETERAN designation
- This allows veterans to easily prove their veteran status to businesses offering military discounts
- To obtain the license, veterans must present a DD214 or other qualifying discharge documents
- Kentucky also offers military honor license plates commemorating different military branches
- Disabled veterans may be eligible for a free disabled veteran license plate

Kentucky veterans can obtain a driver's license with the VETERAN designation
To obtain a Kentucky driver's license with the VETERAN designation, veterans must bring their DD Form 214 or other qualifying discharge documents to their local Circuit Clerk. This process may vary slightly from state to state, and some states allow in-person applications, while others require mailing in copies of paperwork to a central location. Once the veteran's status is verified, the state will update its records, and future driver's licenses or ID cards will reflect the veteran designation. This process may take several weeks, depending on the workload.
In addition to the VETERAN designation, Kentucky also offers distinguished military honor license plates commemorating different military branches, service medals, specific campaigns, and individual battles. These plates often require additional fees and specific eligibility criteria, such as proof of military service or participation in a particular battle. Kentucky also honors out-of-state driver's licenses and vehicle registrations for non-resident military personnel stationed within the state, making it convenient for those who may be temporarily residing in Kentucky.
Kentucky also offers certain benefits specifically for disabled veterans. For example, disabled veterans who meet specific criteria can obtain a "Disabled Veteran" license plate free of charge. This requires completing the "Application for Disabled Veterans Free Certificate of Registration and License Plates" and submitting it to the local County Clerk's office. Additionally, disabled veterans may be eligible for fee exemptions when adding the veteran designation to their driver's license or state ID card.
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This allows veterans to easily prove their veteran status to businesses offering military discounts
Kentucky veterans can now be issued a driver's license that indicates their service to the country. The word "VETERAN" is printed vertically and in capital letters along the right border of the driver's photo. This allows veterans to easily prove their veteran status to businesses offering military discounts.
To get a license with this designation, veterans must bring their DD 214 or other qualifying discharge document to their local Circuit Clerk. The veteran designation is free of charge when applying for an original/renewal driver's license or making changes to a license. However, veterans who are only adding the designation must pay the required fee for a duplicate license.
Disabled veterans are eligible for one Disabled Veteran license plate free of charge. To qualify, veterans must be residents or non-residents stationed in Kentucky with a service-connected disability of at least 50%. They must complete an "Application for Disabled Veterans Free Certificate of Registration and License Plates" and bring it to their local County Clerk's office.
Kentucky also offers several distinguished military honor license plates commemorating different military branches, service medals, specific campaigns, and individual battles. Eligibility for each of these plates requires certain criteria to be met, including proof of current or past military service (honorable discharge), proof of participation in a specific battle, or discharge papers.
The veteran designation on driver's licenses is a recent development in many states, so it may not have been available when veterans last renewed their licenses. Each state has different rules and costs for replacing a license with the veteran designation before its expiration. Therefore, veterans are advised to contact their state DMV in advance.
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To obtain the license, veterans must present a DD214 or other qualifying discharge documents
In Kentucky, veterans are eligible for a veteran designation on a driver's license or state ID card. This allows them to easily display their veteran status to businesses and organisations that offer benefits to military members without needing to carry discharge papers everywhere. To obtain this license, veterans must present a DD214 or other qualifying discharge document to their local Circuit Clerk.
The DD214, or Report of Separation, is a document issued when a service member performs active duty or at least 90 consecutive days of active-duty training. It contains information needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans' organisations. This includes details such as the date and type of separation, character of service, authority and reason for separation, and separation and reenlistment eligibility codes.
To obtain a copy of the DD214, veterans can request it from the National Archives. Requests made 62 years after a service member's separation from the military are open to the public and subject to a fee. Requests made before this 62-year mark may require authorisation from the veteran's next of kin. Additionally, if the veteran was discharged within the last 90 days, they may be exempt from written and skills tests when applying for a Kentucky driver's license and may only need to present a valid military ID.
Other qualifying discharge documents may include proof of participation in a specific battle or discharge papers from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs documenting an award received. These documents are essential for veterans seeking to obtain a Kentucky driver's license with the veteran designation, making it easier for them to access the benefits they rightfully deserve.
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Kentucky also offers military honor license plates commemorating different military branches
Kentucky veterans can obtain a driver's license with the word "VETERAN" printed vertically and in capital letters along the right border of their photo. This designation allows veterans to easily display their veteran status to businesses and organisations that offer benefits to military members without needing to carry their discharge papers. To obtain a license with this designation, veterans must bring their DD 214 or other qualifying discharge documents to their local Circuit Clerk.
Kentucky also offers military honour license plates commemorating different military branches, service medals, specific campaigns, and individual battles. To be eligible for these specialised plates, certain criteria must be met, including providing proof of current or past military service (honourable discharge), proof of participation in a specific battle, or discharge papers or U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs documentation of the award received. Most Kentucky military plates incur a fee of up to $26, in addition to the standard registration fees, which includes a $5 mandatory donation to the Veterans Trust Fund. Many of these specialised plates are eligible for online renewal.
Disabled veterans in Kentucky are also eligible for a Disabled Veteran license plate free of charge. To qualify, individuals must be residents or non-residents stationed in Kentucky with a service-connected disability of at least 50% and have been provided with a vehicle by the Veterans Administration. The necessary application must be completed and brought to the local County Clerk's office.
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Disabled veterans may be eligible for a free disabled veteran license plate
Disabled veterans in Kentucky may be eligible for a free disabled veteran license plate. This benefit is available to disabled veterans who are residents or non-residents stationed in Kentucky. To qualify, veterans must have a service-connected disability of at least 50% and have been provided with a vehicle by the Veterans Administration.
To obtain a disabled veteran license plate, eligible veterans must complete the "Application for Disabled Veterans Free Certificate of Registration and License Plates" and submit it to their local County Clerk's office. The license plate may feature a personalized character combination, which is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. However, it is important to note that certain character combinations are no longer available for plate personalization.
In addition to the free disabled veteran license plate, Kentucky offers several distinguished military honor license plates that commemorate different military branches, service medals, specific campaigns, and individual battles. These plates typically require a fee of up to $26, which includes a $5 mandatory donation to the Veterans Trust Fund. Many of these plates are eligible for online renewal.
While having a disabled veteran license plate in Kentucky may not confer the same benefits as in other states, such as exempting vehicle property tax or allowing parking in handicapped spaces, it does serve as a form of recognition and honor for the service and sacrifices made by disabled veterans.
It is always recommended to verify information with official sources, such as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet or the County Clerk's office, to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date details regarding eligibility and requirements for obtaining a disabled veteran license plate in Kentucky.
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Frequently asked questions
Kentucky veterans can now be issued a driver's license that indicates their service to the country. The word "VETERAN" is printed vertically and in capital letters along the right border of the driver's photo.
To get a license with the "Veteran" designation, you must bring your DD 214 or other qualifying discharge document to your local Circuit Clerk.
DD 214 is the Department of Defense form that verifies service.
Kentucky offers several distinguished military honor license plates commemorating different military branches, service medals, specific campaigns, and individual battles.
Eligibility for each of these plates requires certain criteria to be met, including proof of current or past military service (honorable discharge), proof of participation in a specific battle, or discharge papers or U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs documentation of the award received.

























