Report a Problem to DMV

Your comments are important to us, and can help us improve customer service.

If possible, provide the name(s) of the representative(s) who helped you, the date, time, and location of the service you received, and the phone number where we can call you during the day.

Contact Us by Phone

Call the DMV Contact Center.

If you cannot use a DMV transaction, please notify the DMV of critical service interruptions.
 

Contact Us by Webform

Use our online form which will help you submit all the correct information the first time to get a resolution faster!

Contact Us by Phone

Call the DMV Contact Center.

For Other Help

• For general help or questions, see Ask a Question.
• Get help to Sign in to MyDMV.
• For help downloading your driving record abstract or temporary registration, see problems downloading a PDF document.
• Submit a comment or suggestion about the DMV website.
• If you have a complaint related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please see our accessibility policy.

If you believe a person is using your DMV license permit and or non-driver ID card to steal your identity, it is important that you report the theft to the DMV.

If you have evidence that another person has

• obtained a driver license, registration document or title certificate in your name, or
• used your identity and DMV ID number from your driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID for fraudulent purposes

carefully read the instructions, and fill out the Report of Unauthorized Use of License/Registration (PDF) (FI-17) and send it to the DMV at the address on the form.

You must have documented evidence of fraud to submit a Report for Unauthorized Use.  Evidence can include

• traffic tickets
• personal checks that you did not receive or write
• documents that contain your DMV ID number from your driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID

If you suspect the odometer on a car you bought was changed, contact the DMV Odometer Crimes Unit (OCU) by phone or mail (see contact information below).

You will need to provide the following information

• Vehicle Identification Number
• odometer reading at the time of purchase
• date and location of the purchase
• name of the seller of the vehicle
• amount you paid for the vehicle
• how the vehicle was offered for sale
• all documents that refer to the purchase of the vehicle

DMV Investigators will consider your complaint, evaluate all the information you provide, and contact you about the results. Please include contact information where you can be reached during the day.

The DMV regulates all repair shops, inspection stations, dealers, junk and salvage vendors, and other automotive-related businesses in New York State. Other related automotive businesses include vehicle dismantlers, salvage pools, mobile car crushers, and itinerant vehicle collectors.

Place a Complaint Against an Automotive-Related Business

1. Attempt to resolve the issue with the management of the business. Keep a written record of all contacts with management and details about the inspection, repair, or sale. Copies of work orders and invoices are proof of your attempts to resolve the problem. We cannot take action against a facility unless we can find adequate evidence to substantiate the claim. Additionally, if the facility does not have a current registration, there are limitations on any fines and penalties that may be recovered.
2. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached you may file a complaint. You must submit a Vehicle Safety Complaint and supporting documents to the DMV Consumer & Facilities Services Complaint Unit. If you cannot submit electronically, download the Vehicle Safety Complaint Report (PDF) (VS-35). Email the completed report and supporting documents to [email protected]. Please note that DMV staff will communicate with you through email. See Complaint Unit contact information below.

IMPORTANT: DMV staff will not investigate a complaint until a completed VS-35 Complaint Report has been received. The department does not investigate complaints that have been filed anonymously. There is a 90-day limit on reporting incidents related to a New York State Repair Shop. We cannot accept complaints against Repair Shops beyond the 90-day limit or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first). The DMV cannot resolve disputes over the terms of the manufacturer or third-party warranties or guarantees. 

Once your complaint has been filed, a Consumer Services Representative (CSR) from DMV will be assigned to handle your complaint. If the complaint is within the jurisdiction of the Department and the CSR cannot resolve your complaint, the case can be sent to an Automotive Facilities Inspector for a formal investigation and possibly a hearing.

For additional information on the investigation and hearing process, please see our What to Expect if You File a Complaint Against a DMV Regulated Business.

Depending on the complaint, this process could take several weeks to months to resolve. 

The Department is not able to receive video and audio files. If you have a file of this type that you believe would help illustrate your concerns, please indicate this in your complaint submission. Retain copies of the file(s) in the event an Automotive Facilities Inspector has the need to review the evidence as part of an investigation that may result from your complaint.

The DMV investigates complaints against dealers, repair shops and inspection stations. The DMV does not investigate complaints under the NY State “Lemon Laws.” The New York State Lemon Laws provide a legal remedy for consumers who are buyers or lessees of qualifying new and used cars that do not conform to the terms of their written warranties and remain defective beyond a reasonable number of repair attempts.

If you have a “Lemon Law” complaint, call the Office of the NY State Attorney General at 1-800-771-7755 (1-800-788-9898 for the deaf or hard of hearing). You can find information and complaint forms at the website of the Attorney General.