You asked whether other states have provisions for facilitating driver's license renewal for members of the armed forces stationed abroad.

SUMMARY

This report describes license renewal provisions in California, Georgia, Idaho, New York, Virginia, and Washington for members of the armed forces (service members). Most of these provisions apply when the service member is in another state or abroad.

In California, the license of a service member on active duty out of state is valid for up to 30 days following the date on which he or she is honorably separated from such service or returns to California.

Georgia (1) gives service members a six-month grace period to renew their licenses and (2) allows active duty military and their dependents (as well as students) to renew their license by mail.

Idaho permits members of the military preparing to deploy overseas or out of state to renew their license and vehicle registration up to 12 months early.

In New York, a driver's license is automatically extended while a person is on active duty and for up to six months after discharge.

Virginia allows a service member temporarily assigned to duty out of state, or his or her spouse or dependent, to apply for a military extension of his or her driver's license by mail. The license is valid for up to five years.

Washington allows service members and their families to obtain a license with the word “military” in place of the expiration date. A license with this designation does not have to be renewed for the duration of the service member's service.

CALIFORNIA

The license of a service member on active duty out of state is valid beyond its normal expiration date. The license is valid for up to 30 days following the date on which the service member is honorably separated from such service or returns to California, unless the license has been suspended, cancelled, or revoked. The license is valid only when the service member, while driving, has it and his or her discharge or separation papers in his or her immediate possession (Cal. Veh. Code § 12817).

GEORGIA

Georgia allows a six-month grace period for a service member whose driver's license expires while he or she is on active duty outside the state. The grace period is not added to the expiration date on a service member's driver's license. A service members may drive in Georgia on an expired license for six months after the date he or she is discharged or reassigned to the state, and is exempt from being cited for driving with an expired license. If cited, that service member should bring a copy of his or her military orders or a written verification signed by his or her commanding officer to a Customer Service Center, and the Department of Driver Services must issue a waiver. Any applicant, including a service member, whose licenses have been expired for two years or more must undergo full testing and full documentation to renew (Ga. Code Ann. § 40-5-37).

Georgia also allows active military personnel and their dependents (as well as students) to renew their driver's licenses by mail. In the case of service members, the applicant must be a Georgia resident on active duty. The service member must submit a confirmation letter on military stationery from his or her commanding officer that states that the applicant is currently in the military on active duty outside the state. A driver's license that has been expired for two or more years cannot be renewed by mail, and changes to the name or address on the license must be made in person at a driver's license Customer Service Center.

IDAHO

Idaho permits members of the military preparing to deploy overseas or out of state to renew their licenses and vehicle registrations up to 12 months early. Licenses can be renewed at the driver's local county sheriff's office. If the expiration date is more than 12 months away, and the individual anticipates being on active duty or out of state when the license expires, he or she can download an extension of Idaho drivers license application form and submit it to the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within six months before the expiration date. Active members of the military can extend their licenses for four years (Idaho Code Ann. § 49-319).

The service member can also renew the registration for a passenger vehicle or motorcycle up to 12 months early. Expiring registrations for passenger cars or motorcycles can be renewed for a one- or two-year period. There are no provisions in Idaho statute allowing the extension of vehicle registrations for military personnel. Further information on Idaho's licensing provisions are available at http://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/armed_forces.htm.

A service member can renew vehicle registrations from overseas or out of state by submitting the appropriate registration fee to his or her home county assessor's office, or on-line if the county participates in the state's Internet registration renewal process.

NEW YORK

A valid driver's license is automatically extended when a person is on active duty. It does not expire and is extended during the person's active service. It is also extended for up to six months after discharge. The driver can file the relevant form (MV-75) after entering military service. The service member must file this form before his or her license expires. After filing the form, the service member can also renew his or her license. If a service member does not file the form before the license expires, he or she must the submit the form with a letter from his or her commanding officer certifying (1) the date the person entered military service and (2) that he or she is on active duty.

If the service member has a driver's license issued by the military, he or she can legally drive on this license in the state for up to 60 days. (This provision does not apply to the service member's dependents.) After 60 days, the person must have a valid New York license in order to drive in the state (NY Veh. & Traf. Law § 251).

VIRGINIA

A service member who is temporarily assigned to duty out of state, or the spouse or dependent of the member, may apply for a military extension of his or her driver's license by mail. The extension is valid for up to five years.

Normally, drivers who are out of state have 60 days from their return to renew their vehicle registration. The law gives service members a 90-day grace period, beginning on the date they are no longer serving outside the United States, to comply with the vehicle registration laws. To qualify, the vehicle must be operated by the service member only while possessing (1) orders or other military documentation demonstrating that he or she is entitled to the grace period and (2) the most recent DMV registration card.

Service members, for purposes of the registration provision, include members on active-duty service with the armed forces, National Guard, or other reserves (Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-221.2).

WASHINGTON

Washington issues a license to service members and their families with the word “military” in place of the expiration date. These individuals do not have to renew their driver's licenses for the length of the member's military service, The license is available to members of the active duty armed forces and members of the National Guard and reserves who are called to duty for 180 days or more, and their spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.

The license is valid until 90 days after the service member is honorably discharged, unless it is suspended, cancelled, or revoke before then. A license issued to a reservist called to active duty and his or her spouse or dependent is only in effect while the reservist is on active duty.

An ordinary driver's license held by a member of the military remains in effect under the same conditions as a “military” license, even after the expiration date has passed. But, getting a license with “military” on it ensures that DMV will keep a record of the license for the entire length of military service, and make it easier for private businesses and government officials to determine that the license is valid (Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.027).

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