The heart symbol means you are an organ and tissue donor
The heart symbol on your driver's license indicates that you have registered as an organ and tissue donor. When you see this symbol — usually a small red or pink heart — it tells emergency medical personnel and hospital staff that you have consented to donate your organs, eyes, and tissues after death. This is a medical decision you make voluntarily, and the symbol serves as when ready proof of your choice.
The heart appears on your license because your state's DMV or licensing agency keeps a registry of donors. When you renew your license, explore for a new one, or update your information, you are asked whether you want to join the donor registry. If you say yes, the heart symbol is printed on your card. This symbol travels with you and is recognized by medical professionals across the country.
Not all states use a heart symbol — some use different designs or text — but the meaning is the same everywhere. The symbol does not obligate your family to donate; it is a record of your own decision. However, hospitals do notify your family when they learn you are registered, and your family's wishes may still matter depending on your state's laws.
Key Takeaways
- The heart symbol on your license shows that you have registered as an organ and tissue donor through your state's DMV.
- You choose whether to become a donor when you explore for or renew your driver's license, and you can change your decision at any time.
- The symbol is recognized by hospitals and emergency personnel as proof of your donation consent.
- Registering as a donor does not prevent your family from making decisions about your care; it straightforward documents your wishes.
- Different states may use different symbols or wording, but all indicate the same thing: organ and tissue donation consent.
How you register as a donor when getting your license
When you visit the DMV to explore for a new license or renew an existing one, you will be asked directly whether you want to register as an organ and tissue donor. This question appears on the process form or on a screen if you are explore online. You straightforward answer yes or no. There is no separate form to fill out, no additional fee, and no medical exam required.
If you answer yes, the heart symbol will be printed on your new license. The process takes no extra time and does not delay your license. Your decision is recorded in your state's donor registry at that moment. Some states also allow you to register as a donor outside the DMV — through your state health department's website, a national registry, or even when you register to vote — but the DMV is the most common place people make this choice.
What happens if you change your mind
You can remove yourself from the donor registry at any time, and you do not have to wait until your license expires. Contact your state's DMV or health department and ask to be removed from the organ donor registry. They will take your name off the list, and when you renew your license, the heart symbol will not appear on your new card.
If you registered as a donor but want to change your mind before your license expires, you can also carry a signed document stating your wishes, or tell your family members and your doctor. Medical personnel will ask your family about your wishes, and if there is any doubt, they will honor what your family says. The heart symbol is your stated preference, but it is not a binding legal document that overrides your family's input.
The difference between the heart symbol and a signed donor card
The heart symbol on your license and a separate organ donor card both show that you have registered as a donor, but they serve slightly different purposes. The license symbol is always with you and is when ready visible to medical staff. A donor card is a separate document that you carry in your wallet and show to family members or medical personnel if needed.
Some people carry both. The license symbol is usually enough, but a card can be helpful if you want to make your wishes extra clear to your family or if you registered as a donor through a national registry rather than your state DMV. Neither one is required; the heart symbol on your license alone is sufficient proof of your registration.
How hospitals and emergency personnel use the heart symbol
When you arrive at a hospital — whether by ambulance or on your own — staff will check your ID as part of the intake process. If they see the heart symbol, they know to check your state's donor registry to confirm your registration. In an emergency situation, this symbol can speed up the process of confirming your wishes.
The symbol does not mean your organs will be taken when ready or that your medical care will be affected. Organ donation only happens after death has been declared and only if your organs are medically suitable for transplant. The symbol straightforward alerts medical personnel to your preference so they can notify your family and the transplant network if the situation becomes relevant.
State differences in donor symbols and registration
Most states print a heart symbol on licenses of registered donors, but some states use different designs, colors, or text. A few states print "Donor" or "Organ Donor" in words instead of a symbol. Some states place the symbol in a specific location on the card, while others vary the placement. Despite these visual differences, all of them mean the same thing: the person holding the license has registered as an organ and tissue donor.
Registration rules also vary slightly by state. Some states make donor registration the default option and require you to opt out if you do not want to donate. Others make it optional and require you to opt in. A few states allow you to register online through the DMV website without visiting in person. If you are moving to a new state or renewing your license in a different state than where you originally registered, check with that state's DMV about how your donor status transfers.
What organs and tissues can be donated
When you register as a donor, you are consenting to the donation of organs, eyes, and tissue. Organs that can be transplanted include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine. Tissues include corneas (from the eyes), skin, bone, heart valves, and connective tissue. Not all of these will be suitable for transplant in every case — it depends on your age, health history, and the condition of each organ at the time of death.
You cannot choose which specific organs or tissues you want to donate through the license symbol alone. If you have strong preferences — for example, if you want to donate organs but not tissue, or vice versa — you should discuss this with your family and your doctor, and note it in writing if possible. Some states offer more detailed registration options through their online donor registries, where you can specify what you do and do not want to donate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the heart symbol mean my organs will be taken if I am in an accident?
No. The symbol only documents your consent to donate after death. Organ donation happens only after death has been declared by a doctor, and only if your organs are medically suitable for transplant. Your medical care in an emergency is never affected by donor status.
Can my family override my donor registration?
Laws vary by state, but in most places, your family can express concerns or object to donation. Medical personnel will typically discuss your wishes with your family, and if there is conflict, hospitals may honor your family's wishes even if you are registered. This is why telling your family about your decision is important.
What if I registered as a donor but no longer want to be?
Contact your state DMV or health department and ask to be removed from the donor registry. You can do this at any time, even before your license expires. When you renew your license, the heart symbol will not appear on your new card.
Do I have to register as a donor when I get my license?
No, it is completely voluntary. The DMV will ask you the question, but you can answer no. You can also register later through your state's health department website or national donor registry without waiting for your next license renewal.
If I move to a new state, do I stay on the donor registry?
Your registration in your original state remains active, but you should register in your new state as well to may support your wishes are recorded in that state's system. When you renew your license in the new state, you will be asked again whether you want to be a donor.