Maryland post hosts credentialing announcement

An indication of veteran status will now be displayed on the face of Maryland driver’s licenses. Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown and Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Administrator John T. Kuo announced the initiative on Jan. 14 at a press conference hosted by Legion Post 60 in Laurel, Md. The addition to Maryland driver’s licenses is designed to help those who have served to more easily prove themselves eligible for veterans services and resources. It was enacted upon a recommendation by the state’s Veterans Behavorial Health Advisory Board. The practice follows that of a number of other states.

Brown and Kuo also announced a state initiative favored heavily by The American Legion: streamlining the process of issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to qualified military veterans. The MVA will now recognize appropriate driver training and experience gained in military service as it considers the applications of veterans applying for CDLs in Maryland. Several other states have already instituted such practices as campaigned for vigorously by the Legion.

Maryland’s streamlining of its credentialing process for veterans was a product of the Legion working with state officials. The Legion continues to lobby individual states to improve their credentialing opportunities for veterans. The Legion has been extremely successful in improving veterans credentialing opportunities at the federal level and is hoping to replicate that success at the state level.