For businesses offering veteran discounts or services requiring proof of military service, understanding how to identify and verify veteran designations on state-issued identification is essential. This guide explains what to look for and how ID scanning technology can streamline the verification process.
What is a veteran designation symbol?
A veteran designation is a special indicator that appears on state-issued drivers licenses and ID cards to acknowledge an individual’s military service. These designations typically appear as a flag symbol or the printed word “VETERAN” on the physical card. This feature allows veterans to easily prove their service status when accessing discounts, benefits, or veteran-specific services without carrying additional documentation.
Veteran designations are available for IDs and drivers licenses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, making it easier than ever to serve and honor those who have served our country.
How to verify veteran designations
Most states encode the veteran designation within the ID card’s PDF417 barcode, allowing businesses using VeriScan to automatically detect and flag veteran status. This creates a seamless experience for both the veteran and the business, removing the need to manually inspect the card or ask for additional proof.
However, there are eight states that do not include the veteran designation in their ID barcodes. For these states, specialty software is required to ensure the veteran symbol is properly interpreted and categorized via OCR.
What is the difference between a veteran designation and a Veteran ID Card (VIC)
State veteran designations on IDs and drivers licenses and federal Veteran ID Cards (VICs), as they serve different purposes and have different eligibility requirements.
Veteran ID Cards (VICs) are issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and have specific eligibility criteria. To receive a VIC, individuals must have served on active duty in the military, Reserves, or National Guard, and must have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.
State veteran designations are administered at the state level, and requirements vary by jurisdiction. While most states require veterans to present their official DD-214 form (the military discharge document), some states request additional documentation. Fee structures also differ, with some states offering the designation at no charge, while others assess a fee for adding the veteran indicator to a license or ID card.
US veteran drivers license symbols: State-by-state guide
Veteran symbol on Alabama drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is not stored in the Alabama ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a stylized, printed “Veteran” on the bottom right of the Alabama ID
Veteran symbol on Alaska drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Alaska ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a small American flag with the word “VETERAN” printed below on Alaska’s ID
Veteran symbol on Arizona drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Arizona ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a circular stars and stripes symbol with the word “VETERAN” printed on Arizona’s ID
Veteran symbol on California drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the California ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on California IDs
Veteran symbol on Colorado drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Colorado ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on Colorado IDs
Veteran symbol on Connecticut drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Connecticut ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a full-color American flag with the word “VETERAN” printed on Connecticut’s ID
Veteran symbol on Delaware drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Delaware ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” in red text at the bottom right of the Delaware ID
Veteran symbol on Florida drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Florida ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on Florida IDs
Veteran symbol on Georgia drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Georgia ID barcode
- Georgia ID veteran designations include a small American flag onthe top right of the ID and the word “VETERAN” printed on the bottom right
Veteran symbol on Idaho drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Idaho ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on Idaho IDs
Veteran symbol on Indiana drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Indiana ID barcode
- Indiana’s veteran symbol is located on the back of the ID, differentiating it from other states
- The veteran symbol is a “V” with “VETERAN” printed below on Indiana IDs
Veteran symbol on Iowa drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Iowa ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a red printed “VETERAN” on Iowa IDs
Veteran symbol on Kentucky drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Kentucky ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” below the cardholder picture on Kentucky IDs
Veteran symbol on Maine drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Maine ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a full-color waving American flag icon with “VETERAN” printed below on Maine IDs
Veteran symbol on Maryland drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Maryland ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” below the cardholder picture on Maryland IDs
Veteran symbol on Massachusetts drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Massachusetts ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a blue star with “VETERAN” on Massachusetts IDs
Veteran symbol on Michigan drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is not stored in the Michigan ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a red printed “VETERAN” on Michigan IDs
Veteran symbol on Minnesota drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Minnesota ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a red printed “VETERAN” on Minnesota IDs
Veteran symbol on Mississippi drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Mississippi ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a full-color waving American flag icon with “VETERAN” below on Mississippi IDs
Veteran symbol on Missouri drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Missouri ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a ribbon icon containing “VETERAN” on Missouri IDs
Veteran symbol on Montana drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Montana ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” below the cardholder picture on Montana IDs
Veteran symbol on Nebraska drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Nebraska ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a red printed “VETERAN” on Nebraska IDs
Veteran symbol on Nevada drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Nevada ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a blue printed “VETERAN” on Nevada IDs
Veteran symbol on New Jersey drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is not stored in the New Jersey ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a blue star with a red printed “VETERAN” next to it on New Jersey IDs
Veteran symbol on New Mexico drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the New Mexico ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a red printed “VETERAN” on New Mexico IDs
Veteran symbol on New York drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is not stored in the New York ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” above the cardholder picture on New York IDs
Veteran symbol on North Carolina drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the North Carolina ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a “VETERAN” printed vertically on the bottom right of North Carolina IDs
Veteran symbol on Oregon drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Oregon ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on the bottom right of Oregon IDs
Veteran symbol on Pennsylvania drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Pennsylvania ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a full-color American flag with “VETERAN” printed below on Pennsylvania IDs
Veteran symbol on Rhode Island drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Rhode Island ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a red printed “VETERAN” on the bottom right of Rhode Island IDs
Veteran symbol on South Carolina drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the South Carolina ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on South Carolina IDs
Veteran symbol on South Dakota drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the South Dakota ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a red printed “VETERAN” on South Dakota IDs
Veteran symbol on Tennessee drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Tennessee ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on Tennessee IDs
Veteran symbol on Texas drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Texas ID barcode
- Texas has more specific veteran designation symbols than other states, including:
- Option for “Disabled Veteran” designation for those who meet requirements
- Option to display branch of service for the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy
- All veteran symbols on Texas IDs are printed in black at the bottom and include “VETERAN” and an American flag
Veteran symbol on Utah drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Utah ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “VETERAN” on Utah IDs
Veteran symbol on Vermont drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Vermont ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is an icon of a person saluting next to the word “VETERAN” on Vermont IDs
Veteran symbol on Virginia drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is not stored in the Virginia ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a printed “Veteran” at the center of the top of Virginia IDs
Veteran symbol on Washington, DC drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Washington, DC ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is a circular stars and stripes symbol with the word “VETERAN” printed on Washington, DC’s ID
Veteran symbol on Washington drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Washington ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is the word “Veteran” printed on the bottom right of Washington’s ID
Veteran symbol on Wisconsin drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Wisconsin ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is the word “VETERAN” printed above the state name on Wisonsin’s ID
Veteran symbol on Wyoming drivers licenses and IDs
- The veteran designation is stored in the Wyoming ID barcode
- The veteran symbol is the word “VETERAN” printed on Washington, DC’s ID
Why reading and recognizing veteran symbols on drivers licenses and IDs is important
For businesses using ID scanning technology, understanding these distinctions helps ensure accurate veteran verification. A robust ID scanning system will be able to detect veteran designations automatically, immediately alerting staff that the cardholder is a US veteran.
By honoring veteran designations and making it easy for veterans to access the benefits they’ve earned, businesses demonstrate their appreciation for military service while creating a smooth, dignified experience for veteran customers.
