Questions and Answers

DMV offices and most services temporarily suspended

In response to the global emergency, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.8: Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency.  In accordance with this Order, DMV Field Offices, Road Test Sites, and Traffic Violations Bureaus are closed, and certain DMV services are temporarily unavailable. As a result, our ability to support customers at this time is limited.  We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding. 

You can do many things online, without an office visit. See all the DMV transactions you can do online.

 

Questions and answers 

Below are questions DMV customers have recently asked us, along with our responses, which we hope will help you address your questions at this time.

 

How do I register a car (vehicle) now?

For the health and safety of the public in the wake of this global emergency, certain services are temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.


Have vehicle inspection deadlines been extended?

Vehicle safety and emission inspections set to expire on March 31, 2020 or later will be extended until further notice during the COVID-19 emergency.

How can I renew my license online when a vision test is required. I do not want to go out and get one.

An eye exam is required for an online license renewal. For motorists who do not want to get an eye test, the State has extended the validity of driver licenses that expired on or after March 1, 2020.


How can I get a permit now? I need to drive.

For the health and safety of the public in the wake of this global emergency, certain DMV services are temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

How long will DMV be closed?

DMV Field Offices are closed until further notice, however, we are still processing many transactions online and by mail. Please continue to check our website for further updates.


I took my vehicle off the road for the winter. I own the vehicle and surrendered the plates for credit last fall. I was wondering if I would be able to register it online?  I know I can not go to the office due to closure.

Original registrations, including re-registrations, require an office visit, and DMV Field Offices are closed until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.


How do I surrender plates?

You can return your plates by mail.


My driver license expired on 02/14/20. I could not extend online because I had a name change and was waiting for my Social Security Card to come in the mail. What can I do now since the DMV Field Offices are closed?

Name changes on a driver license require an office visit, and DMV Field Offices are closed until further notice. You can renew online under your former name and amend (change) your license to your new name when our offices reopen. There is a $12.50 fee to amend your license.


My license suspension was supposed to be done this week. Who can I contact to have my full Commercial (CDL) license restored?

Without knowing the specifics of your license suspension, please see our page on suspensions and revocations to help answer your questions. 


 I had a reservation, which was cancelled.  When and how can I reschedule?

When DMV Field Offices are reopened, customers who had a previous reservation will be given first priority to a new reservation.


Will road tests be automatically rescheduled when they begin again or will I have to make a reservation?

Road tests will not be automatically rescheduled. When Road Tests Sites are reopened, customers who had a previously scheduled road test will be given first priority to a new reservation.

 

Does the extension for expiring driver licenses also apply to learner permits?

Yes. All licenses and learner permits with an expiration date of March 1, 2020 or later will be extended until further notice while DMV Field Offices remain closed.

 

Will there be an extension on 5-hour course expiration dates?

It has not been extended.  However, any course completion certificates that expire during the time of the state of emergency will be honored.