DPS unveils Veterans logo on driver license and ID cards

(Oklahoma City, OK.)  The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce the unveiling of the new “Veteran” logo that will officially be placed on the front of qualified veteran’s Oklahoma driver license or state identification cards. “Oklahomans have a profound respect and admiration for the men and women who have bravely served our nation.  The new veteran
designation on state drivers’ licenses is a small way in which we can honor their sacrifice and say “thank you” for their service to our state and our nation,” Governor Mary Fallin.

“We’re  pleased to announce that changes in the system, and card will allow Oklahoma veterans to identify themselves right on their license by choosing to  have  a  special  veteran’s  insignia  added  to  the  card,”  said DPS Commissioner  and Secretary of Safety and Security, Mike Thompson, who also is  a decorated Army soldier. “This option will be available after November
1, 2012 and was implemented as a manner in which to honor the men and women of Oklahoma who have served our country,” Thompson said.

Retired General and Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs, Rita Aragon, said  that  this  will be of an advantage to military veterans who often do not  have a Veterans Administration identification card because they do not have  a  disability.  “Oklahoma  veterans will now be able to present their Oklahoma  driver  license  or state issued identification card that has the
“Veteran”  status  on  the  front. Veterans can then present those cards to businesses  that  honor  and  provide discounts to military veterans,” said Aragon.  “This  is  a  point  of  pride  for veterans and Oklahoma’s way of saying, “thank you for your service!” said Aragon.

The new addition to the state identification cards and driver licenses will take  effect  today, November 1, 2012, but the only two tag agencies in the state  that  have  the  new  equipment  are  in  Edmond. “As we get the new equipment  installed  at  all  the  tag  agencies around the state, we will update  the  DPS  web site with those locations. We hope to have all of the tag  agencies  in  the  state on-line before the end of the year,” said DPS Director  of Driver License Services, Jeff Hankins. “Veterans who choose to have the “Veteran” status on their card will have to show proof of military service  by  providing  their  DD-214, 215, WWII discharge document or a US
Department  of  Veterans  Affairs  photo ID card when renewing or obtaining their identification card or driver license,” said Hankins.