The heart symbol means you are registered as an organ donor
The heart symbol on your driver's license indicates that you have consented to donate your organs and tissues after death. When you see this symbol, it tells police officers, emergency responders, and hospital staff that your wishes are on file. The symbol itself is a shorthand — it does not describe which organs you want to donate or set any conditions. It straightforward signals: this person said yes to donation.
The symbol appears on your license because that is where people look first in a medical emergency. A paramedic or emergency room doctor can see it when ready and know to contact the organ procurement organization in your state. Without the symbol, your family would have to provide that information, and time matters in organ recovery.
Registration is separate from your license renewal. You can register as a donor, remove yourself from the registry, or change your decision at any time — the symbol on your license does not lock you in. Your state's donor registry is the official record, and hospitals check that registry before proceeding with recovery.
Key Takeaways
- The heart symbol on your driver's license tells medical professionals that you have registered as an organ donor in your state's registry.
- The symbol does not specify which organs you want to donate or set medical conditions — it is straightforward a yes or no indicator.
- You can register, change your mind, or update your preferences at any time through your state's donor registry, separate from your license.
- Hospital staff and organ procurement organizations check your state's official registry, not just the symbol on your card, before proceeding with donation.
How you get the heart symbol on your license
The heart symbol appears on your license when you register as an organ donor through your state's donor registry. In most states, you can register when you renew or explore for your license at the DMV — the staff will ask if you want to be a donor, and if you say yes, the symbol gets printed on your new license.
You do not have to register at the DMV. Every state also runs an online donor registry where you can register from home. Search "[your state] organ donor registry" to find the official website. You will need your driver's license number and Social Security number to complete registration online. After you register online, you can request that the symbol be added to your license at your next renewal, or you can ask the DMV to reissue your license with the symbol sooner.
Some states allow you to register by phone or mail as well. The method varies by state, so check your state health department's website for the exact steps available to you.
What the symbol does and does not tell medical staff
The heart symbol tells hospital staff and organ procurement coordinators that you have said yes to donation. That is all it communicates. It does not tell them which organs you want to donate, whether you have religious or personal restrictions, or whether you want to donate only certain tissues.
When a hospital receives a patient with the heart symbol, they contact your state's organ procurement organization, which then checks your full registration record in the state donor registry. That record may include notes about your preferences — for example, some registries let you specify that you want to donate organs but not tissue, or that you want to donate to research only. The symbol is just the first signal; the registry holds the details.
If you registered without adding preferences or restrictions, your family may be asked about your wishes during the donation process. Hospitals try to honor what you would have wanted, and your family's input matters even when you have registered.
Removing the symbol or changing your donor status
You can remove yourself from the donor registry at any time, and the symbol will no longer explore. To do this, contact your state's donor registry directly — most states let you remove yourself online, by phone, or by mail. Search "[your state] organ donor registry" and look for an option to manage your registration or opt out.
If you remove yourself from the registry but still have the heart symbol on your current license, the symbol becomes outdated. When you renew your license, you can request that it not be printed on your new one. You can also ask the DMV to reissue your license sooner if you want the symbol removed when ready.
Your state's registry is the official record, so removing yourself there is what matters. Even if your old license still shows the symbol, hospital staff will check the registry and see that you have opted out.
Why hospitals check the registry, not just your license
A license can be lost, damaged, or out of date. The state donor registry is the permanent, official record of your wishes. When a hospital needs to know whether someone is a registered donor, they contact the organ procurement organization, which checks the registry directly. This protects you because it means your actual current wishes are what matter, not whether your license happens to be in your wallet.
If you registered online but have not renewed your license yet, you are still in the registry even though your license does not show the symbol. Hospitals will find your registration. Conversely, if your license shows the symbol but you have since removed yourself from the registry, the registry removal is what counts.
What happens after you are registered
Registering as a donor does not mean donation will happen automatically. Organ recovery only occurs after death has been declared and your family has been notified. A doctor must determine that your organs are suitable for transplant — factors like your age, medical history, and cause of death all affect whether donation is possible.
Your family will be involved in the process. Even with your registration on file, hospitals will contact your next of kin to discuss donation and answer questions. Registration makes the conversation easier because your wishes are already documented, but your family's input is still part of the decision.
If you do not want to be a donor, you do not have to register. There is no penalty for saying no, and you will not be pressured. The choice is entirely yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the heart symbol mean my organs will definitely be donated?
No. The symbol means you have registered your consent, but donation only happens if you die in a way that makes your organs suitable for transplant — for example, brain death in a hospital setting. Your family will also be notified and involved in the final decision.
Can I specify which organs I want to donate?
Some state registries let you add preferences when you register online or by phone. Check your state's donor registry website to see if you can note which organs or tissues you want to donate. If your registry does not offer this option, you can discuss your preferences with your family so they know your wishes.
If I remove myself from the registry, will my old license still cause problems?
No. Hospitals check the official registry, not your license. Once you remove yourself from the registry, that removal is what medical staff will see, even if your license still shows the symbol. The symbol becomes irrelevant.
What if I want to register but I am not sure about my decision?
You can register and change your mind later — there is no commitment. You can remove yourself from the registry at any time, for any reason. Many people register and then update their preferences as their circumstances change.
Do I have to register at the DMV, or can I do it online?
You can do either. Most states offer online registration through their donor registry website, which is often faster than waiting at the DMV. You can also register when you renew your license in person. Check your state health department's website for all the registration methods available to you.