Senate exempts certain veterans from paying driver’s license fee

The Senate has approved a bill exempting certain military veterans from paying a driver’s license fee, if they meet certain requirements.

Senate Bill 17-77, introduced by Sens. Juan Ayuyu (Ind-Rota) and Frank Cruz (R-Tinian), now goes to the House of Representatives.

The bill exempts military veterans from paying the fee for the initial issuance, renewal, duplicate or amended Class A driver license in the CNMI, provided that they have served active duty during one of the periods of war conflicts and have been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.

A Class A driver license allows an individual to operate jeeps, sedans, and pickup trucks.

They must also be a CNMI resident upon entering active duty status and is a CNMI resident at the time of application or who has been a resident of the CNMI for at least two years immediately preceding the date of application for the license; not a sex offender who is required to be registered; and is qualified to obtain a driver’s license in the CNMI.

Other eligible veterans include those who served on active duty or active duty in a reserve component, including the National Guard, during wartime or any conflict when personnel were committed by the U.S. president.

Also eligible from the exemption are the spouse of a veteran who would be qualified to receive a veteran’s license but who is disabled to the extent that he or she cannot operate a motor vehicle.

A member or former member of the National Guard or reserve forces who has 20 or more years of creditable service is also eligible for exemption.

First-time issuances and renewals of free CNMI driver’s license for veterans will be issued for a term of three years.