Reviewed and updated October 12, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read from the California DMV's own pages that day, and the DMV page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
The California DMV's rules for active duty military, veterans and their families: the VETERAN designation, licenses extended during service, out-of-state plates and the vehicle license fee exemption for personnel stationed here, the renewal penalty waiver after deployment, registration after discharge, and the two commercial license waiver programs. Disabled veteran plates and other special plates are covered with the plates guides; the commercial license itself is on the CDL guide.
In this guide: The VETERAN designation, Licenses during and after service, Vehicles and plates, The commercial license waivers, Questions about veterans, military and the California DMV
The VETERAN designation
An eligible veteran can have the word VETERAN printed on the front of a license or ID card. The DMV's veterans and military page gives the steps: complete the license and ID card application (DL 44 or eDL 44), obtain a Veteran Status Verification Form (VSD-001) from a County Veteran Service Office, since the DMV does not issue it, bring the completed form to a DMV office, and pay the nonrefundable application fee. Veterans can also ask for benefit information by checking Yes on the application or online renewal. The authority is Vehicle Code sections 12811 and 14901.1.
Licenses during and after service
The Extension of License for Person in Armed Forces (DL 236) card reflects Vehicle Code section 12817, which extends the licenses of a person on active service out of state in the U.S. Armed Forces or Foreign Service and of the spouse; the DMV says to keep the driving record updated so it is not purged, to check whether the duty state will honor the extended license, and that the extended licenses are good for 30 days after returning to California, with discharge papers carried alongside the license during those 30 days after an honorable discharge. On return, the service member and spouse complete the application and visit an office to pay the fee (12 months to finish, three attempts at each knowledge test), give a fingerprint, pass the vision exam, have a photo taken and pass a knowledge test. A member not returning to California goes to the new state's licensing agency with the California license and the DL 236. An expired or expiring license while out of state can be renewed by calling (916) 657-7790, or a dependent can request a no-fee one-year extension by writing to the DMV with the full name, license number, birth date and address.
Vehicles and plates
Nonresident personnel. Nonresident military personnel, and NATO members who are not U.S. citizens, may drive with valid plates from their home state or country or from the state where they were regularly assigned and stationed when the plates were issued, as long as the registration and plates are in the name of the service member or spouse, the plates are valid, and the vehicle is insured; leave, temporary duty and other short assignments do not count as the assignment that issued the plates, and a commercial vehicle used in business is excluded. An active duty member may also operate a commercial vehicle they own without California registration if it is validly registered in the home or assignment state and not used in a trade or business.
The vehicle license fee exemption. Military personnel stationed in California are exempt from the vehicle license fee on a vehicle they own or lease and register in California, provided the nonresident military owner is the registered owner or lessee and the vehicle is not operated for hire, on a Nonresident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045), or a REG 5046 for NATO members; the DMV's fee calculator page adds that the duty station must be in California.
Deployment penalty waiver. A California resident deployed outside the state may have renewal penalties incurred during deployment waived if the renewal is submitted with the fees within 60 days after the deployment ends, for members of the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Reserve or the National Guard ordered to temporary military duty while a Presidential Executive Order has the U.S. in combat or homeland defense; training, processing and a permanent change of station do not count. The claim goes on a Statement of Facts (REG 256) giving the service and the end date of the deployment.
After discharge. A person entering California after discharge is exempt from registering passenger vehicles and trailer coaches that carry out-of-state plates and registration until taking gainful employment in California or becoming a resident, after which registration is due within 20 days to avoid penalties. Disabled veteran plates and the special recognition plates are linked from the DMV's page; the fee rules for the disabled veteran exemption are on the fees page.
The commercial license waivers
Two programs shorten the commercial license process for military drivers. The Even Exchange program waives the knowledge and skills tests for active service members (active duty, reserve or National Guard) and for veterans within 12 months of discharge who submit a Commercial Military Waiver (DL 965) and meet every other requirement, issuing a California commercial license matching the vehicles operated in service. The Troops to Trucks program waives the driving test for a service member employed within the last year in a military position requiring the operation of a vehicle equivalent to a commercial vehicle, who certifies two years of such operation before discharge, an exemption from the federal CDL requirements, and a clean two-year record with no more than one license, no suspensions, no alcohol, drug, hit and run or felony convictions, no at-fault accident violations and no more than one serious violation such as speeding over 15 mph, reckless driving or improper lane changes, and no texting or handheld phone convictions. The documents go to a DMV office: the DL 965, an acceptable identity document, a Social Security, Medicare or Armed Forces ID card, and the DD 214 for veterans. Neither program covers the school bus endorsement, and the commercial application (DL 44C or eDL 44C) is still required; the rest of the process is on the CDL guide.
Questions about veterans, military and the California DMV
How do I get VETERAN printed on my license?
Complete the license application, get a Veteran Status Verification Form (VSD-001) from a County Veteran Service Office (the DMV does not issue it), bring it to a DMV office and pay the application fee.
Does my California license expire while I am deployed?
The DMV extends the license of a person on active military service out of state, and the spouse's, under Vehicle Code section 12817 with the DL 236 card; the extended license is good for 30 days after returning to California. An expiring license can also be renewed by calling (916) 657-7790 or extended one year without fee by letter.
Do I have to register my car in California while stationed here?
Nonresident military personnel may keep valid plates from their home state or from the state where they were stationed when the plates were issued, with insurance, except for a commercial vehicle used in business.
Do I pay the vehicle license fee?
Nonresident military personnel stationed in California are exempt from the vehicle license fee on a vehicle they own or lease and register here, if the vehicle is not operated for hire, on form REG 5045 (REG 5046 for NATO members).
Can my military driving experience count toward a CDL?
Through the Troops to Trucks waiver of the driving test and the Even Exchange waiver of both tests, on form DL 965 with the DD 214 and identity documents, for service members and veterans within 12 months of discharge; neither covers the school bus endorsement.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the California DMV's veterans and active duty military page and fee calculator page, read on October 12, 2026.