ANNAPOLIS, Md. (DC News Now) — Maryland continues to make strides, as the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has reached a new milestone.
The MVA announced Tuesday that 25,000 Marylanders have added the butterfly symbol to their driver’s license or ID.
Maryland’s new ID law helps identify people with hidden disabilities
The butterfly symbol represents a hidden disability. The small black feature helps first responders and law enforcement understand a person’s needs during an interaction.
The symbol was permitted to be used on Maryland ID cards and driver’s licenses under Eric’s ID Law, which went into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. The law is named after Linda Carpenter-Grantham’s son, Eric, who is autistic.
‘I feel like it’s going to change the world’: Maryland IDs could soon feature butterflies for those with hidden disabilities
Eric first thought of the idea for the bill in 2020, following a conversation with his mom about the death of George Floyd.
Five years later, his vision came to life.
How to add or remove the symbol to your ID?
The butterfly can be added or removed anytime through the myMVA account or at a MVA branch kiosk.
DC drivers could soon opt for ‘hidden disability’ indicator on license, ID
The MVA noted that if adding the symbol is the only change to your ID, the update will be free. However, if a license or ID is being renewed or information is being updated, standard fees will apply…