VCC Magazine Summer 2018

Virginia DMV is Doing even More for Veterans (and our military): Strong partnership with Virginia Department of Veterans Services ensures that wide range of services are available to veterans and military By Steven Combs

In addition to the new veteran indicator, veterans, Guardsmen, Reservists, and active duty service members can also show their pride in their military service by purchasing one of almost 60 military and veteran- themed license plates available from DMV. Although eligibility requirements vary from plate to plate, DMV has streamlined the application process. Visit the DMV website to learn more. Through its DMV 2 Go mobile

Though DMV officially stands for Department of Motor Vehicles, its unofficial motto should be Doing even More for Veterans . Each year, the Virginia DMV rolls out new, improved, or expanded services for our veterans and military. Case in point: the new veteran indicator, which debuted on July 1, 2018. Virginia veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces can now add a veteran indicator to their Virginia driver’s license or ID card, thanks to legislation passed unanimously by the 2018 Virginia General Assembly. House Bill 737, patroned by Delegate John McGuire, a U.S. Navy veteran, gives Virginia veterans another way to proudly display their veteran status. Honorably discharged veterans who served in the active U. S. Armed Forces or for more than 180 days in the Virginia National Guard or the Reserves may apply on line, by mail, by fax, or in

customer service centers, DMV brings many of its services directly to veterans and military service members, including regularly scheduled appearances on several military installations in the Commonwealth. Information on DMV 2 Go services, a list of upcoming appearances, and “how to” contacts are available at www.dmvNOW.com/DMV2Go . The Virginia DMV was one of the first state agencies to become

person at a DMV customer service center. Applicants must be a Virginia resident and either apply for or currently hold an unexpired Virginia driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, learner’s permit or DMV- issued ID card. For more information about the veteran indicator, visit the DMV website at www.dmvNOW. com/veteranindicator . There is no fee for the veteran indicator, but veterans must still pay the standard fee for an original or replacement credential (driver’s license or ID card that will display the veteran indicator. Veterans may wish to consider

a part of the state’s Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program . Operated by DVS, the V3 Program is a free training and certification program for employers to help them implement nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly skilled and dependable veterans. Over 1,000 private businesses and public agencies have partnered with V3, and over 30,000 veterans have been hired to date. In addition to hiring veterans through the V3 Program, DMV is helping to put veterans to work in Virginia’s transportation industry. Under the leadership of DMV

divisions implementing apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth. School divisions are working intently with local business and industry to design apprenticeship opportunities for high school students based on local and regional workforce needs. Career and Technical Education is a stepping stone of opportunities for all students regardless of their career and life goals. Just check out the opportunities with the school counselor because “Every Scholar Needs a Skill.” Dr. Brenda D. Long, Executive Director, Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education waiting until October to apply for the veteran indicator. Beginning in October, Virginians will have the option to switch to a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card. Beginning October 1, 2020, the federal government will require all domestic air travelers to present a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID or another federally approved form of identification such as a passport. With the launch of the new veteran indicator, DMV has ceased issuance of the stand-alone Virginia veteran ID card. Created in 2012 in partnership with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), DMV has issued over 100,000 ID cards. The good news for holders of the Virginia veteran ID card is that it never expires, so it will continue to be a great way for veterans to show off their pride in their military service. A Stepping Stone from page 20

Commissioner Rick Holcomb, DMV launched the Troops to Trucks SM program, which helps provide employment opportunities to veterans as truck or bus drivers, or in other transportation-related jobs after service. The Troops to Trucks SM program makes it easier for veterans who were trained by the military to operate heavy vehicles to obtain a civilian commercial driver’s license (CDL), which is required to operate large trucks and buses. Troops to Trucks SM is a collaboration between DMV, Virginia military installations, and private transportation industry groups. The Virginia DMV not only serves veterans, Guardsmen, and Reservists, the agency also provides special assistance to active duty service members and their families when they receive an assignment to a military installation in Virginia. Military service today can entail frequent moves, which means picking up and moving an entire household, sometimes halfway around the globe. In addition to finding a nice place to live and a good school in which to enroll their children, military families may have to obtain a new driver’s license, as well as title and register their vehicles in Virginia. DMV has published a handy Military Guide to help military families make an easy transition to life in the Commonwealth. More information is available at www. dmvNOW.com/military . The Virginia Department of Veterans Services is proud to have a true partner in the Virginia DMV—they are truly Doing even More for Veterans . Steven Combs, a United States Air Force veteran, is Deputy Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services

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