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The Word VETERAN on Your Licence — Free at Renewal

Illinois prints a veteran designation on a driving licence or state ID for an honorably discharged veteran. It costs NOTHING if added at renewal. Adding it between renewals costs $5 for a licence or $10 for a state ID — and an updated state ID is free for veterans over 65. The Secretary of State verifies your status with the veterans department, so no document goes back and forth.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Illinois prints a veteran designation on a driving licence or state ID for an honorably discharged veteran. It costs NOTHING if added at renewal. Adding it between renewals costs $5 for a licence or $10 for a state ID — and an updated state ID is free for veterans over 65. The Secretary of State verifies your status with the veterans department, so no document goes back and forth.

What it's worth: VETERAN printed on your licence or ID — free at renewal

  • It costs NOTHING when added at renewal. Timing is the whole cost question here.
  • Added between renewals it is $5 for an updated driving licence or $10 for an updated state ID.
  • An updated state ID is FREE for veterans over 65, whenever it is done.
  • Accepted proof includes the DD-214, Form 13038, DD-2 (Retired), the federal Veterans Identification Card, a VA summary of benefits letter, or another official Department of Defense discharge document.
  • The Secretary of State verifies your status with the veterans department, so the verification is handled between agencies.
  • Its practical value is as proof: several Illinois benefits accept the marked licence instead of a DD-214.

Who is entitled to it

  • You were discharged honorably.
  • You hold an Illinois licence or ID.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Do it AT RENEWAL if you can — it is free then and costs $5 or $10 otherwise.
  2. 2If you are over 65, an updated state ID is free whenever you do it, so there is no reason to wait.
  3. 3Take one of the accepted documents: DD-214, Form 13038, DD-2 (Retired), the federal Veterans ID Card, or a VA summary of benefits letter.
  4. 4Once it is on, use the licence as proof for other benefits rather than carrying the DD-214 about.
Form
Applied at a Secretary of State facility
File with
Illinois Secretary of State
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.