The new design of the Arkansas drivers license will include a designation for military veterans.
The new look will roll out beginning tomorrow. Already, some offices have switched to the new design for all licenses. All 134 local revenue offices will be issuing the new formats by the end of July.
Now, if a former member of the military so chooses, the word “Veteran” will be placed below the individual’s picture on the updated format for licenses and identification cards.
The designation was created by “The Nick Bacon Remembrance Act” in memory of the former Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs director and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who passed away in 2010. The bill was introduced by Rep. John Charles Edwards through the efforts of Veterans' Commissioner Tom Thomas of Searcy.
“The state’s driver’s license was already in the process of being redesigned,” Edwards said. “Therefore, the Department of Finance and Administration was easily able to create a space for the designation.”
The designation will be no additional cost for first time driver’s license applicants and driver’s license renewals. If a veteran chooses to add the designation before their renewal date, they may obtain a duplicate license for $10. The cost of an identification card and duplicate identification card is $5. Proof of service must be established by presenting a personal DD 214 form.