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OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1150
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR NO -COST DRIVER'S LICENSE AND
IDENTITY CARD RENEWALS FOR VETERANS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
commissioner to waive the driver’s license or identity card renewal fee
for veterans with the veteran designation on their current driver’s
license or current identity card.
The bill also requires the commissioner to issue a voucher to veterans
who apply for their renewals more than six months prior to their
licenses or cards expiring. This voucher would waive the fee during the
six-month period.
By law, the fee for a renewed license is $96 and $32 for a renewed
identity card if they are valid for eight years, but the fees are prorated if
the commissioner issues renewed licenses and cards for shorter periods
of time.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Definition of a Veteran
A “veteran” is anyone honorably discharged or released under
honorable conditions, or released with an other than honorable (OTH)
discharge based on a qualifying condition, from active service in the
armed forces (the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space
Force, Air Force, and any of their reserve components, including the
Connecticut National Guard when under federal service) (CGS § 27-
103).
A qualifying condition is a (1) post-traumatic stress disorder or
traumatic brain injury diagnosis by a licensed health care professional 2025SB-01150-R000252-BA.DOCX
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at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facility; (2) military sexual
trauma disclosed to such a health care professional; or (3) determination
by the Qualifying Review Board that sexual orientation, gender identity,
or gender expression was more likely than not the primary reason for
the OTH discharge (CGS § 27-103).
Veterans Designation
Veterans may submit a request to the Department of Veterans Affairs
(DVA) to have their status as a veteran on their driver’s license or
identity card. The DVA must, within 30 days after receipt of a request,
verify whether the individual is a veteran and, if verified, notify the
DMV commissioner of the request and verification.
The DMV commissioner must indicate the individual’s status as a
veteran on any driver’s license or identity card issued to that person
during the original issuance or renewal of a driver’s license or identity
card or at issuance of a duplicate driver’s license or identity card.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 20 Nay 0 (03/11/2025)