Optional driver’s license or ID card designations

To better serve your identification needs, there are several optional and voluntary designations you may add to your driver’s license or non-operator identification card.

If you are applying for a new license or ID or are renewing a previous one, all usual fees apply. If you are requesting a duplicate in order to add a new voluntary designation to your license or ID, there will be a fee of $10.

Veteran designation

How to get a “veteran” designation on your driver’s license or non-operator identification card

Honorably discharged veterans are eligible to have a “veteran” designation placed on their driver’s license or non-operator identification (ID).

The veteran designation is a completely voluntary initiative designed to assist Iowa veterans. There are thousands of businesses throughout Iowa and the United States, including restaurants, hotels and even home improvement stores that give discounts to veterans. Some of those businesses require proof of veteran status. The veteran designation on a driver's license or ID card allows you to be quickly identified as a veteran, eliminating the need to carry official military papers for these purposes.

Sample driver's license showing Veteran designation

There are two ways to receive the designation.

Take a copy of your DD 214 Copy 4 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the Department of Defense) directly to a driver’s license issuance location.

To be eligible, your DD 214 must show both a character of service indicating an honorable discharge and demonstrate a minimum of 90 days of active duty service (not training active duty) prior to your discharge.

Once you have received a veteran’s designation, the Iowa DOT will notify the County Commission of Veteran’s Affairs so that the commission may initiate contact with you.

Ask your county Veterans Affairs office to complete the required Iowa DOT application form 432035, and then bring it to a driver's license issuance location.

The County Veterans Affairs office can provide you with Iowa DOT application form number 432035. You will complete Part I of the form and they will complete Part II of the form. You can then take the completed form to any driver's license issuance location to add the veteran designation to your driver’s license or ID. Find a County Veterans Office near you.

If you are applying for a new license or ID or are renewing a previous one, all usual fees apply. If you are requesting a duplicate or adding the veteran’s designation to your current DL or ID, there will be a fee of $10.

Organ & Tissue Donor designation

organ and tissue donor designation sample

Did you know that you have the option to be registered as an organ and tissue donor when you get your Iowa ID or driver’s license? It’s as simple as saying “yes.”

Organ and tissue donation is a gift that saves and heals thousands of lives each year. It can provide comfort and solace to donor families as their loved ones leave a lasting legacy of hope and healing. For transplant recipients and patients on the transplant waiting list, the gift of donation offers a second chance at life; a chance to move forward and fulfill the legacy left behind by their gracious and courageous donor.

When applying for your Iowa ID or driver’s license, we will ask you if you are interested in being listed as an organ & tissue donor and having that reflected on your card. Anyone, including minors with parental/guardian consent, can register to be a donor when getting your Iowa ID or driver’s license. Your consent is captured when we review your information, preferences, and have you sign for your ID or license. Please remember that you are never too young, never too old, and don’t rule yourself out because of a medical issue or condition.

You can always update your preference to be an organ and tissue donor when you are issued your ID or driver’s license during an in-person or online issuance transaction. You can also get more information about donation and register to be a donor on the Iowa Donor Network’s website, https://www.iowadonornetwork.org/.

Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing indicator

During an in-person or online issuance transaction, you can request that your license or ID indicate your status as “deaf” or “hard-of-hearing.” If you choose to add this to your license or ID, it will also be visible in the database used by law enforcement to lookup a driver’s information during a traffic stop. This information may help officers better understand a customer’s behavior if they appear to be non‐responsive to verbal questions due to their hearing status, resulting in a more successful interaction with a deaf or hard-of-hearing individual. This is a voluntary indicator and is not a restriction of driving privileges.

Medical Advance Directive indicator

During an in-person or online issuance transaction, you can request that your license or ID indicate that you have a medical advance directive. An advance directive, sometimes known as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, is a legal document that allows you to convey your wishes and decisions for end-of-life care. Indicating that you have a medical advance directive on your license may be helpful to medical providers in the event of a crash. This is a voluntary indicator and is not a restriction of driving privileges.

Medical Alert indicator

During an in-person or online issuance transaction, you can request that your license or ID display a “medical alert” indicator. The presence of this indicator signals that you have a medical condition that may require urgent attention in the event of a crash, which may help law enforcement or emergency medical personnel provide the appropriate aid to you. This is a voluntary indicator and is not a restriction of driving privileges.

Autism Spectrum Disorder indicator

During an in-person or online issuance transaction, you can request that your license or ID indicate on the front of the card that you have an autism spectrum disorder. If you choose to add this to your license or ID, it will also be visible in the database used by law enforcement to lookup a driver’s information during a traffic stop. This is to help avoid miscommunication issues and negative interactions for people with an autism spectrum disorder, simply because they may not behave in a way that is expected. The information assists in alerting law enforcement that the driver may exhibit a demeanor or display behaviors that could otherwise be misinterpreted. This is a voluntary indicator and is not a restriction of driving privileges.

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