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

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

By Phone

Call the DMV Call Center.

By Email

Email the DMV.

By Mail

Send a letter to Mark J. F. Schroeder, Commissioner (see contact information below).

If you are unable to use a DMV transaction, please notify the DMV of critical service interruptions.
 

By Email

email: [email protected]

Include

• the name of the transaction (for example, ‘Renew Registration’)
• a description of the problem and any error message displayed
• the date and time

Do not include

Any personal information, such as your address, DMV ID Number (Client ID Number) from your NYS driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID card, Social Security Number, or credit card number.

Please note that this email address is only to report that a transaction is not working. We cannot respond to messages submitted.

Email address 

By Phone

Call the Contact Center.

For Other Help

• for general help or questions, see Ask a question
• get help to Sign in to MyDMV
• for help to download your driving record abstract or temporary registration, see Problems downloading a PDF document
• Submit a comment or suggestion about the DMV website

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.

What is a DMV regulated automotive business?

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.)

How do I place a complaint against a DMV-regulated automotive business?

First, attempt to resolve the issue with the management of the business. Keep a written record of all contacts with management in addition to 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.

If a satisfactory resolution is not reached and you wish to file a complaint, you must submit a Vehicle Safety Complaint Report (PDF) (VS-35) along with any supporting documents to the DMV Consumer & Facilities Services Complaint Unit. To submit electronically, download the complaint report available at the link above to your personal device. Attach and then email the completed report as well as any 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 NYS 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 manufacturer or third party warranties or guarantees. If you feel you have an NYS Lemon Law complaint, please see Lemon Law Complaints later in this page.

Once your complaint has been filed, a Consumer Services Representative (CSR) from DMV will be assigned to handle your complaint. If the CSR is unable to resolve your complaint, the case will 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 several months to resolve. 

If you have questions regarding a complaint you placed or the complaint process in general, contact the DMV Complaint Unit by phone (see contact information below).

Please see our accessibility Policy.

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 hearing impaired). You can find information and complaint forms at the website of the Attorney General.