Texas Driver Licenses for Veterans, Active Duty Members and Their Families in 2026

Skipping the tests after service

DPS's veteran services page says active duty military personnel and veterans discharged within the last 90 days who hold an expired out-of-state driver license may be exempt from the written and skills tests by presenting a valid military ID and proof that the previous state of residence allows a military extension that waived tests. Members of a NATO force or civilian component with validating orders are exempt from the knowledge and skills exams as well, under the DPS Moving to Texas page. The rest of the application is the one on the driver license page; military personnel, their spouses and dependents may give a residence address outside Texas or a military address such as a unit and base, and are exempt from the residency documents.

The fee exemption for disabled veterans

A veteran with a service-related disability of at least 60 percent qualifies for a free Texas driver license or ID card when honorably discharged, receiving disability compensation from the U.S. government and not required to register as a sex offender; the exemption does not apply to a commercial driver license, and DPS says reinstatement fees after a suspension are never waived, for veterans or anyone else. The proof is a copy of a signed disability letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or official documents confirming the honorable discharge, the disability rating and the compensation. Once the disability status is verified, the veteran can use DPS's online services for fee-exempt license and ID transactions.

The VETERAN and DISABLED VETERAN designations

A veteran honorably discharged, or with a general discharge under honorable conditions, from the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy or Texas National Guard (including the Texas Army and Air National Guard, but not the Texas State Guard) may have VETERAN printed on the face of the license or ID by visiting a driver license office with one of: a DD-214, a DD-215, an NGB-22, a PHS1867 with service dates, discharge status and order number in block 19, a VA Proof of Service or Verification of Honorable Service card, a VA disability letter, a Texas concealed handgun license or license to carry with a veteran designator, or a Veterans Identification Card. When renewing by mail the document goes with the renewal invitation. A veteran at least 50 percent disabled, or 40 percent with a lower extremity amputation, may request the DISABLED VETERAN designation with the VA disability letter, and any veteran may show the branch of service. The designation is free with an original, renewal or change; adding it alone is a duplicate card at $11, free for a veteran under the fee exemption.

Renewing while stationed away

DPS's out-of-state page carries the rules for active duty members, spouses and dependents outside Texas. The license remains valid beyond its expiration date as long as it is not suspended, canceled or revoked, carried together with the valid military ID card, though DPS recommends renewing before expiration because not every state, installation or country honors an expired license. After an honorable discharge the license stays valid until the 91st day after discharge or the return to Texas, whichever comes first. Active duty members, spouses and dependents, and anyone discharged within the last 90 days, may renew a card expired more than two years, which no one else can, and only they may have the current out-of-state address printed on the card at renewal. The renewal itself runs online or by phone when the eligibility rules are met, or by mail with the packet on the out-of-state guide.

The mail route for veterans outside Texas

To request the veteran designation from outside Texas, mail the out-of-state and country application (DL-16P), a copy of the DD-214 or DD-215, Texas residency documentation, the Explanation of Eye Specialist form (DL-63) only when a driver license is being renewed, and the fee by check, money order or cashier's check payable to TX DPS, to Texas Department of Public Safety, Central Cash Receiving, PO Box 15999, Austin, TX 78761-5999. DPS also invites a voluntary donation to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance, administered by the Texas Veterans Commission, with any license or ID transaction; its voluntary contributions page describes the fund's grants for therapy, homelessness, home repairs and treatment courts.

The vehicle side

Vehicle matters for service members belong to the TxDMV, whose For Our Troops page groups them: a non-resident serving in Texas may keep the home state registration; a member who makes Texas home has 60 days to apply for title or registration; the Disabled Veteran plate and the military honors plates, the $3 first set for a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, the Gold Star plate, free metered parking for listed plates, the International Symbol of Access on military plates, and the refund of the inspection fee for a vehicle kept out of state. The military vehicle guide covers each.

Questions from veterans and service members

Who gets a free Texas driver license?

A veteran with a service-related disability of at least 60 percent who was honorably discharged, receives disability compensation from the U.S. government and is not required to register as a sex offender, for a driver license or ID card but not a commercial license. The proof is a signed VA disability letter or official documents showing the discharge, rating and compensation; once verified, DPS says the veteran can use online services for fee-exempt transactions.

What goes on the card?

A VETERAN designation for an honorably discharged veteran (or a general discharge under honorable conditions) of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy or Texas National Guard, and a DISABLED VETERAN designation for a veteran at least 50 percent disabled or 40 percent with a lower extremity amputation, with the VA disability letter as proof. The branch of service may be displayed as well.

Does the designation cost anything?

Nothing when added during an original, renewal or change transaction; a veteran who only adds the designation pays the $11 duplicate fee, unless the disabled veteran fee exemption applies.

My license expired while I was stationed abroad. Is it still valid?

For an active duty member, spouse or dependent, yes, as long as it is not suspended, canceled or revoked, carried with a valid military ID; DPS warns that not every state, installation or country honors an expired license. After an honorable discharge it stays valid until the 91st day after discharge or the return to Texas, whichever is earlier.

Can I skip the tests when I come back with an expired license from another state?

Active duty personnel and veterans discharged within the last 90 days may be exempt from the written and skills tests with a valid military ID and proof that the previous state allowed a military extension that waived tests.

Can a veteran outside Texas add the designation?

Yes, by mail: the out-of-state application (DL-16P), a copy of the DD-214 or DD-215, Texas residency documents, the DL-63 eye specialist form if a license is being renewed, and the fee by check, money order or cashier's check payable to TX DPS, to Central Cash Receiving, PO Box 15999, Austin, TX 78761-5999.