© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
LIVE BLOG: Updates on Hurricane Milton

Bill Would Block Extra Charges For Veteran Licenses

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

A Florida driver’s license can show if a person has served in the military. But there’s a problem with the law that permits the “veteran” designation on the license – it doesn’t prohibit counties from charging veterans extra for that service.

“I didn’t know this when we did the bill that they’d be charging,” said State Sen. Greg Steube (D-23). “Highway Safety charges $7 to $9 depending on what county you’re in to put the “V” designation on your drivers’ license.”

The Sarasota Republican said he received complaints from Korean and WWII veterans, on fixed incomes, who said they couldn’t afford the extra fee.

“And I just don’t think that if you served our country and you’re a veteran that you should have to pay $9 to get a “V” designation on your driver’s license,” Steube said.

So, Steube has filed legislation for the 2018 legislative session, SB100, to prevent county tax collectors from charging veterans for their veterans’ license. The bill cleared its first committee hearing with a unanimous vote. The session opens Jan. 9, 2018.

Bobbie O’Brien has been a Reporter/Producer at WUSF since 1991. She reports on general news topics in Florida and the Tampa Bay region.
You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.