DESIGNATOR ON LICENSE ISSUED TO VETERAN.

(a) In this section:

(1) "Disability rating" has the meaning assigned by Section 11.22, Tax Code.

(2) "Disabled veteran" means a veteran who has suffered a service-connected disability with a disability rating of:

(A) at least 50 percent; or

(B) 40 percent if the rating is due to the amputation of a lower extremity.

(3) "Veteran" means a person who:

(A) has served in:

(i) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States; or

(ii) the Texas National Guard as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code; and

(B) has been honorably discharged from the branch of the service in which the person served.

(b) The department shall include the designation "VETERAN" on a driver's license issued to a veteran in an available space either on the face of the driver's license or on the reverse side of the driver's license if:

(1) the veteran requests the designation; and

(2) the veteran provides proof of the veteran's military service and honorable discharge.

(b-1) If a disabled veteran provides proof sufficient to the department, the department, on request of the disabled veteran, shall include on a driver's license issued to the disabled veteran in any available space on the face of the driver's license or on the reverse side of the driver's license:

(1) a disabled veteran designation; and

(2) the branch of the service in which the disabled veteran served.

(b-2) For purposes of Subsection (b)(2), the department must accept a veteran identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or an identification card issued by the United States Department of Defense as sufficient proof of the veteran's military service and honorable discharge.

(c) The department shall provide to the recipient of a driver's license with a designation under this section the informational paper described by Section 521.011 at the time the license is issued.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection (e), for purposes of obtaining a service or benefit available for disabled veterans in this state, a disabled veteran may use a driver's license described by Subsection (b-1) as satisfactory proof:

(1) that the disabled veteran has a disability rating described by Subsection (a)(2)(A) or (B), as applicable; and

(2) of branch of service and honorable discharge.

(e) A driver's license described by Subsection (b-1) is not satisfactory proof of the disabled veteran's disability rating for purposes of obtaining a property tax exemption provided by Chapter 11, Tax Code.

(f) A disabled veteran who renews a driver's license described by Subsection (b-1) shall provide proof sufficient to the department of the disabled veteran's disability rating.

(g) The department shall establish and maintain on the department's Internet website forms and procedures by which a veteran or disabled veteran may request and provide the proof required for a designation on a driver's license or renewal of a driver's license with a designation under this section by submitting a form and the required proof electronically on the department's Internet website.