Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Maryland
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The State of Maryland 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.
Registration Fee Waiver for Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans are eligible to receive a disabled veteran license plate free of charge. To qualify, you must provide the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration with Veterans Affairs documentation proving 100% service-related disability. You will also need to apply for Maryland Handicapped Parking/License Plates. You can apply for this plate at a full-service branch office or an MVA licensed label and title service. You can also send your disability verification application to:
MBA
Specialized tag group
6601 Ritchie Highway
Glen Bernie, MD 21062
Veteran driver's license badge
Maryland veterans are eligible for a veteran title on their driver's license or state ID. This makes it easy for you to show your veteran status to businesses and other organizations that offer military benefits without having to carry your discharge papers with you everywhere you go. To be licensed with this designation, you must be honorably discharged (either on honorable terms at all or on terms other than dishonorable) and provide proof in the form of one of the following:
- DD 214 or DD 2
- Honorary Dismissal Certificate
- Letter from the Maryland Veterans Administration
- Letter from the US Military Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
There is no additional charge for adding a veteran's title to your driver's license or ID card.
Military badges
Maryland offers a huge variety of military license plates. They range from service awards such as the Congressional Medal of Honor to military ranks such as the Army, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps. The choice is so great that there are even plates with the Presidential badge for service and medals for service in Southwest Asia. Many of these plates are available in both automotive and motorcycle versions.
Maryland military license plates are subject to a fee of $25 and can apply to cars, utility vehicles, motorcycles or trucks up to £10,000. You must provide DD 214, a medal certificate, or written confirmation issued by the National Center for Personnel Records.
An application for a military number can be found here.
Waiver of military skills exam
In 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration passed regulations to allow state licensing agencies to accept military service-related truck driving experience in lieu of a road skills test in the CDL (commercial vehicle license) process for military personnel. To be eligible for an exemption from the military skills test, you must have two years of experience driving commercial military vehicles. In addition, your experience in driving a heavy vehicle must have taken place within one year prior to application or one year prior to termination.
Military personnel in Maryland with qualifying experience can download and print the universal waiver here. Your state may also have its own app, so check with your local licensing agency. If you qualify, you will still need to complete the written part of the CDL test.
Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012
With this act, states gain the authority to issue CDLs to qualified active duty military personnel, including members of the National Guard, Reserve, Coast Guard, or Coast Guard auxiliaries, regardless of their state. This allows those in out of state, including Maryland, to use their truck driving skills wherever they are.
Driver's License Renewal During Deployment
Maryland allows driver license renewals for military personnel who are stationed or stationed out of state at the time their license expires. While on active duty, you and your dependents are required to carry a Maryland driver's license along with proof of active duty status. You have up to 30 days to renew your license after you leave or return to the state.
If you are purchasing a used vehicle while out of state, you must file a Temporary Inspection Waiver along with proof of ownership of the vehicle. The waiver is valid for two years and may be renewed if you do not return within that time. The vehicle must be checked upon return to Maryland.
You can check here to see if you are eligible to renew your vehicle registration online during an out-of-state deployment or deployment.
Driver's license and vehicle registration of non-resident military personnel
Maryland recognizes out-of-state driver's licenses and vehicle registrations for non-resident military personnel stationed in the state. This benefit also applies to dependents of non-resident military personnel who are on staff with the military personnel.
Active or veteran military personnel can learn more on the State Motor Vehicles Department website here.
