Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Alabama
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The State of Alabama offers a number of benefits and privileges to those Americans who have either served in a branch of the armed forces in the past or are currently serving in the military.
Exemption from licensing and registration taxes and fees
Disabled veterans associated with the service, the National Guard and the reserve are exempt from paying license tax and registration fee for one light vehicle. To be eligible for an exemption, the owner of the vehicle must be disabled as a result of a previous military service, or be an active or retired member of the Alabama National Guard, or be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, and a resident of Alabama at the time the exemption is applied for.
Veteran driver's license badge
Alabama veterans may show proof of their military service on their driver's license. There is no additional fee for adding this designation when applying for a first license or when renewing a license. If a driver wishes to add a military rank to an Alabama driver's license prior to the renewal date, standard license duplication fees apply. Veterans applying for such a rank must provide the Alabama Department of Public Safety's Driver's License Division with a DD-214 or a discharge record stating an honorable discharge or "general on honorable terms."
Military badges
Alabama offers a wide selection of outstanding military license plates commemorating various branches of the military, service medals, specific campaigns and individual battles. Eligibility for each of these plates requires certain criteria to be met, including proof of current or past military service (honorable discharge), proof of service in a specific battle, discharge papers, or Department of Veterans Affairs records of award received.
Available military plate designs:
- active reserve
- Air Force
- Alabama State Defense Force
- army
- Atomic nuclear bomb
- Battle of the Ardennes
- Bronze star
- Cost protection
- Desert Shield/Desert Storm
- Disabled Veteran
- Global War on Terror
- Korean War
- Legion of Valor
- Marine Corps
- Honorary medal
- Merchant navy
- National guard
- Navy
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Pearl Harbor Survivor
- Prisoner of war
- Purple Heart
- US military retired
- Vietnam Veteran
- American Campaign of World War II
- Asian Campaign of World War II
- European Campaign of World War II
While some military numbers are free, others cost an additional $3 on top of the regular registration fees (this fee supports veterans' funds). Honor plates can also be personalized for an additional fee.
Waiver of military skills exam
In 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Security Administration introduced a provision allowing SDLAs (State Driver's License Agencies) to allow U.S. military drivers to use their service-related truck driving experience in lieu of a skill test to obtain a CDL (Commercial Driver's License). To be eligible to skip this portion of the test, you must apply within a year of being discharged from a military position that required you to drive a commercial vehicle (or within the past year if you are still employed). You must also have two years of such experience to be eligible for the waiver program.
Applicants must certify for the SDLA:
His or her safe driving experience
That he or she did not have more than one license (other than a US military driver's license) in the previous two years.
That he or she has not had a driver's license (issued by the base state) suspended, revoked or revoked.
That he or she has not been convicted of a traffic violation that would have disqualified them from the CDL. There are a number of offenses that can disqualify members of the military from participating in a skills waiver program; these include things like drunk driving, hit-and-run accidents, or using the CMV to commit a criminal offense. The Military Skills Test Waiver Program in Alabama and every other state is the result of a collaboration between the US Department of Defense, the US Army, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to make it easier for veterans to obtain a CDL.
Military personnel with relevant experience can download and print the waiver here. Applicants are still required to take the written CDL test.
Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012
This law gives states the power to issue CDLs to active military personnel, including the Reserve, National Guard, Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliary, even if they are not Alabama residents, as long as their base (temporary or permanent) is in the state.
Driver's License Renewal During Deployment
There are a number of provisions that allow deployed military personnel to renew their licenses. The license can be renewed 60 days before the expiration date. Alternatively, out-of-state or country personnel may renew by mail if the DMV file has a photograph and signature from the past four years. This is done by submitting the application found here, a money order for the amount of the renewal fee, along with full name, date of birth, driver's license number, social security number, and out-of-state address, along with documentation stating the reason the driver is out of state:
Driving license department
Mailbox 1471
Montgomery, AL 36102-1471
In addition, Alabama offers a 60-day grace period after license expiration, during which the license is valid.
Driver's license and vehicle registration of non-resident military personnel
Alabama does not require military personnel stationed in Alabama to register their vehicles with the state, provided the owner has valid registration and insurance in their home state. The state also recognizes out-of-state driver's licenses for non-resident military personnel.
Active or veteran service members can read more on the State Automotive Division website here.
