Carpino Pushes to End DMV Fee for CT Veterans

HARTFORD- State Rep. Christie Carpino (Cromwell & Portland) is proposing to right a wrong when it comes to military veterans having their status voluntarily marked on a Connecticut Driver’s License or state-issued ID.

Carpino co-sponsored legislation in 2011 to permit the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue Driver’s licenses and ID cards that would include the symbol of an American Flag to identify veteran status.

The flag symbol is added to a veteran’s license or ID card at no additional cost at renewal time, or when a license or ID card is issued for the first time. In Connecticut, this symbol will grant free lifetime admission to any state park, forest or state recreational facility to any resident who is a disabled wartime veteran.

Sadly, veterans with a current driver’s license and ID card holders are being charged a $30 fee if they opt to have the flag symbol added prior to their regularly scheduled renewal.

Carpino was made aware of the $30 fee for the veterans’ license during an office hours visit by a member of the Portland Veterans Affairs Committee.
Carpino said, “Veterans who have a valid license or ID should not be required to pay a fee or wait six years before they can receive a flag symbol on their license. My support of the original law was to give recognition to our veterans. DMV should not be forcing them to pay an additional fee. It’s an issue of fairness!”

Carpino’s proposal would prohibit the Department of Motor Vehicles from charging any veteran the $30 fee for a duplicate license when the request is made to identify their military service a prior to the date of their regularly scheduled renewal.

Carpino has sent the bill request to the Transportation committee, where she hopes it will be raised for a public hearing.