a) Every application for any permit or license authorized to be issued under this Code shall be made upon a form furnished by the Secretary of State. Every application shall be accompanied by the proper fee and payment of such fee shall entitle the applicant to not more than 3 attempts to pass the examination within a period of one year after the date of application.
     (b) Every application shall state the legal name, social security number, zip code, date of birth, sex, and residence address of the applicant; briefly describe the applicant; state whether the applicant has theretofore been licensed as a driver, and, if so, when and by what state or country, and whether any such license has ever been cancelled, suspended, revoked or refused, and, if so, the date and reason for such cancellation, suspension, revocation or refusal; shall include an affirmation by the applicant that all information set forth is true and correct; and shall bear the applicant’s signature. In addition to the residence address, the Secretary may allow the applicant to provide a mailing address. In the case of an applicant who is a judicial officer or peace officer, the Secretary may allow the applicant to provide an office or work address in lieu of a residence or mailing address. The application form may also require the statement of such additional relevant information as the Secretary of State shall deem necessary to determine the applicant’s competency and eligibility. The Secretary of State may, in his discretion, by rule or regulation, provide that an application for a drivers license or permit may include a suitable photograph of the applicant in the form prescribed by the Secretary, and he may further provide that each drivers license shall include a photograph of the driver. The Secretary of State may utilize a photograph process or system most suitable to deter alteration or improper reproduction of a drivers license and to prevent substitution of another photo thereon. For the purposes of this subsection (b), “peace officer” means any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for a violation of any penal statute of this State, whether that duty extends to all violations or is limited to specific violations.
     (b-3) Upon the first issuance of a request for proposals for a digital driver’s license and identification card issuance and facial recognition system issued after January 1, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-513), and upon implementation of a new or revised system procured pursuant to that request for proposals, the Secretary shall permit applicants to choose between “male”, “female” or “non-binary” when designating the applicant’s sex on the driver’s license application form. The sex designated by the applicant shall be displayed on the driver’s license issued to the applicant.
     (b-5) Every applicant for a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or permit shall provide proof of lawful status in the United States as defined in 6 C.F.R. § 37.3, as amended. Applicants who are unable to provide the Secretary with proof of lawful status may apply for a driver’s license or permit under Section 6-105.1 of this Code.
     (c) The application form shall include a notice to the applicant of the registration obligations of sex offenders under the Sex Offender Registration Act. The notice shall be provided in a form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State. For purposes of this subsection (c), “sex offender” has the meaning ascribed to it in § 2 of the Sex Offender Registration Act.
     (d) Any male United States citizen or immigrant who applies for any permit or license authorized to be issued under this Code or for a renewal of any permit or license, and who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age, must be registered in compliance with the requirements of the federal Military Selective Service Act. The Secretary of State must forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information regarding the applicants identified in this subsection (d) to the Selective Service System. The applicant’s signature on the application serves as an indication that the applicant either has already registered with the Selective Service System or that he is authorizing the Secretary to forward to the Selective Service System the necessary information for registration. The Secretary must notify the applicant at the time of application that his signature constitutes consent to registration with the Selective Service System, if he is not already registered.
     (e) Beginning on or before July 1, 2015, for each original or renewal driver’s license application under this Code, the Secretary shall inquire as to whether the applicant is a veteran for purposes of issuing a driver’s license with a veteran designation under subsection (e-5) of Section 6-110 of this Code. The acceptable forms of proof shall include, but are not limited to, Department of Defense form DD-214, Department of Defense form DD-256 for applicants who did not receive a form DD-214 upon the completion of initial basic training, Department of Defense form DD-2 (Retired), an identification card issued under the federal Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015, or a United States Department of Veterans Affairs summary of benefits letter. If the document cannot be stamped, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall provide a certificate to the veteran to provide to the Secretary of State. The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall advise the Secretary as to what other forms of proof of a person’s status as a veteran are acceptable.
     For each applicant who is issued a driver’s license with a veteran designation, the Secretary shall provide the Department of Veterans’ Affairs with the applicant’s name, address, date of birth, gender and such other demographic information as agreed to by the Secretary and the Department. The Department may take steps necessary to confirm the applicant is a veteran. If after due diligence, including writing to the applicant at the address provided by the Secretary, the Department is unable to verify the applicant’s veteran status, the Department shall inform the Secretary, who shall notify the applicant that he or she must confirm status as a veteran, or the driver’s license will be cancelled.
     For purposes of this subsection (e):
     “Armed forces” means any of the Armed Forces of the United States, including a member of any reserve component or National Guard unit.
     “Veteran” means a person who has served in the armed forces and was discharged or separated under honorable conditions.