Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Oklahoma

The State of Oklahoma 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

The Oklahoma Income Tax Commission has given active duty service members a reduced registration rate of $21 plus a $1.50 insurance verification fee. However, active duty military personnel must complete Form 779, Afdavit of the US Armed Forces, and have it properly witnessed by an officer before applying for renewal of registration. This information can be sent to:

Oklahoma Tax Commission

Mailbox 26940

Oklahoma City 73126

Veteran driver's license badge

The Oklahoma Department of Safety has created a new "Veteran" logo that can be placed on the front of qualified veterans' driver's licenses or ID cards. This title is one of the ways Oklahoma has chosen to honor veterans who have been sacrificed to their nation. This additional term is intended to provide an advantage to military veterans who do not have a Veterans Administration card due to not having a disability. Having a government-issued Veteran ID card on the front allows you to give the card to local businesses and organizations that reward veterans with discounts and other benefits.

Proof of military service is required by providing Form DD-214, World War II discharge papers, Department of Veterans Affairs photo ID, or Oklahoma National Guard or NGB Army Form 22 when renewing or obtaining driver's license photo ID.

Driver's License Extension for Certain Duties in the Armed Forces

Many states, including Oklahoma, give active duty members and their spouses additional leeway when it comes to renewing their driver's license when they return to the state.

"Any person or spouse of a person on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, resident outside of Oklahoma, and holding a valid driver's license issued by the State of Oklahoma to drive motor vehicles on state roads, must be in possession, at no additional charge, of a valid license for the duration of such service and for a period of sixty (60) days from and after the return of the person or the person's spouse to the continental United States from such service."

This extra time gives active and recently retired military members freedom of movement until they can return to a place in Oklahoma as a permanent residence before a driver's license renewal is required.

Military badges

Oklahoma offers a wide selection of outstanding military license plates dedicated to 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:

• 180st Infantry
• American Legion
• Bronze star
• Bronze star motorcycle
• Combat Tape
• Congressional Medal of Honor
• D-Day Survivor
• Desert storm
• American disabled veteran
• Distinguished Service Medal
• Former prisoner of war
• Motorcycle of a former prisoner of war
• Global War on Terror
• Gold Star Parent
• Gold Star Spouse
• Gold Star Survivor
• Iwo Jima
• Honorary Service Medal
• Killed in action
• Korea Defense Medal
• Veteran of the Korean War
• Legion of Merit
• Missing
• Merchant navy
• Multi-decoration
• Oklahoma Air National Guard
• Oklahoma National Guard
• Operation Enduring Freedom
• Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Pearl Harbor Survivor
• Purple Heart
• Purple Heart Motorcycle
• Silver Star
• Somali combat veteran
• US Air Force
• United States Air Force Academy
• United States Air Force Association
• United States Air Force Reserve
• US Air Force - retired
• United States Army
• US Army Motorcycle
• US Army Reserve
• US Army - retired
• Coast guard
• United States Coast Guard motorcycle
• United States Coast Guard Reserve
• US Coast Guard - retired
• United States Marines
• United States Marine Corps motorcycle
• United States Marine Corps Reserve
• US Marines - retired
• Navy
• United States Navy motorcycle
• United States Naval Reserve
• US Navy - retired
• USN Seabees / Corps of Civil Engineers
• Veterans of foreign wars
• Vietnam Veteran
• Vietnam Veteran Motorcycle
• Veteran of World War II

Generally, there is a $11 per number fee to select a pre-numbered original military or veteran number. Personalized license plates are $23 and renewals are $21.50 plus the cost of registration renewal.

Active or veteran military personnel who wish to learn more about laws and benefits for veterans and military drivers in Oklahoma can visit the State Automobile Department website here.