The state of Oklahoma offers a number of benefits and perks for those Americans who have either served in an Armed Forces branch in the past, or are current active military members.
License and registration tax and fee exemption
The Oklahoma Tax Commission has provided active duty military a reduced registration rate of $21 plus $1.50 insurance verification fee. However, the active duty military personnel is required to complete Form 779, the United States Armed Forces Affadavit and have it properly attested to by an officer before submitting their registration renewal request. That information can be sent to:
Oklahoma Tax Commission
P.O. Box 26940
Oklahoma City, OK 73126
Driver’s license veteran designation
The Oklahoma Department of Safety has created a new “Veteran” logo that is available to be placed on the front of the driver license or state photo identification cards of qualified veterans. This designation is one way that Oklahoma has decided to honor the sacrifice of veterans for their nation. This additional term is meant to provide an advantage to military veterans who do not have a Veterans Administration card due to lack of disability. Having the state-issued ID with “Veteran” status on the front allows the card to be presented to local businesses and organizations who honor veterans with discounts and other benefits.
Proof of military service is required, by providing Form DD-214, WWII discharge documents, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs photo ID or an Oklahoma Air National Guard or Army NGB Form 22 when either renewing or obtaining a photo identification card of driver license.
Extension of driver license renewal for certain Armed Forces duties
Many states, Oklahoma included, allow individuals on active duty 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 with the Armed Forces of the United States living outside of Oklahoma having a valid driver license issued by the State of Oklahoma for the operation of motor vehicles upon the highways of the state shall have without additional charge, 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 spouse of the person to the continental limits of the United Sates from such service.”
This additional time provides active duty and recently discharged military personnel with the freedom of movement until they are able to settle back into a location in the state of Oklahoma as a permanent address before requiring a driver license to be renewed.
Military honor plates
Oklahoma offers a wide variety of distinguished military honor license plates commemorating the different military branches, service medals, specific campaigns, and individual battles. Eligibility for each of these plates requires certain criteria be met, including proof of current or past military service (honorable discharge), proof of having participated in a specific battle, or discharge papers or U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs documentation of the award received.
Available military plate designs:
- 180th Infantry
- American Legion
- Bronze Star
- Bronze Star Motorcycle
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Congressional Medal of Honor
- D-Day Survivor
- Desert Storm
- Disabled American Veteran
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Ex-Prisoner of War
- Ex-Prisoner of War Motorcycle
- Global War on Terrorism
- Gold Star Parent
- Gold Star Spouse
- Gold Star Survivor
- Iwo Jima
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Killed in Action
- Korea Defense Medal
- Korean War Veteran
- Legion of Merit
- Missing in Action
- Merchant Marine
- 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
- Somalia Combat Veteran
- United States Air Force
- United States Air Force Academy
- United States Air Force Association
- United States Air Force Reserve
- United States Air Force – Retired
- United States Army
- United States Army Motorcycle
- United States Army Reserve
- United States Army – Retired
- United States Coast Guard
- United States Coast Guard Motorcycle
- United States Coast Guard Reserve
- United States Coast Guard – Retired
- United States Marines
- United States Marines Motorcycle
- United States Marines Reserve
- United States Marines – Retired
- United States Navy
- United States Navy Motorcycle
- United States Navy Reserve
- United States Navy – Retired
- USN Seabees/Civil Engineer Corps
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Vietnam Veteran
- Vietnam Veteran Motorcycle
- World War II Veteran
In general, there is an $11 fee per plate for selecting a pre-numbered original military or veteran plate. Personalized plates are $23, with renewals priced at $21.50 plus the cost of the registration renewal.
Active or veteran military personnel who wish to find out more about veteran and military driver laws and benefits in Oklahoma can consult the state’s motor vehicle division website here.
