NY State Adventure License FAQs

1. What is the adventure license?

The adventure license is a way for holders of a NY State DMV issued photo document (driver license, learner permit, or non-driver identification card) to have any of the various lifetime sporting/recreational licenses, privileges, or certifications you have purchased from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and/or the Office of Parks and Historical Preservation (Parks) added to your DMV issued photo document.
New York State's Brianna's Law requires all motorboat operators to have completed a boating safety course by 2025. Anyone successfully completing the New York Safe Boating Course or approved online boating safety course may opt to have their driver's license, non-driver ID, or learner's permit indicate completion of the course. A small anchor icon will be placed on your DMV document, attesting that you have earned a New York State boating safety certificate. You can find out more about completing a boating safety course and adding the icon to your website on the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation website

2. What lifetime sporting/recreational licenses, privileges, or credentials can be added to my DMV-issued photo document?

You may add icons for the following lifetime licenses/privileges/certifications: Sportsman, Boating Safety, Small/Big Game, Fishing, Bow Hunting, Muzzle Loading, Trapping, and the Empire Passport. Only lifetime purchased licenses, privileges or certifications may be added to the NY State DMV-issued photo documents - annual licenses cannot be added.


3. What will my DMV photo document look like with the icons?

Lifetime Adventure License



 

4. If I already have a lifetime sporting/recreational license, privilege, or certification how do I have it added to my DMV photo document?

You may request the icons be added to your DMV photo document in two ways; online using the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website or by visiting a NY State Department of Motor Vehicles office and presenting the required proof.


5. What do I need to bring to the NY State DMV office to show as proof of my lifetime sporting/recreational license, privilege, or certification?

You do not need to visit a NY State DMV with your proofs. Lifetime Sporting License holders can use the online Adventure License site to request that DMV add an adventure icon to their NY State photo document. If you have completed a Boating Safety course, DMV will automatically add the Boating Safety icon (an anchor) to your photo document for free the next time you renew the photo document. You do not need to present your Boating Safety Certificate at a DMV office. (If you prefer to update your photo document with the icon immediately, you must pay a $12.50 fee.)  

If you want to visit the DMV to request adventure icons on your DMV photo document, bring the following:


6. Am I required to have these icons added to my DMV photo document?

No, for most of the icons it is optional to have the icons displayed on your NY State DMV photo document. However, you must have the Lifetime Empire Passport displayed on your NY State DMV photo document; there will be no other proof that you have this credential.


7. Is there an additional fee to have icons added to my DMV photo document?

There are no additional fees if you request the icons be added at the time of your photo document renewal. If you wish to have the icons added prior to renewal, you will be required to pay the amendment fee as required by the Vehicle and Traffic Law ($12.50 for driver licenses/permits and $5.00 for non-driver identification cards).


8. Can I have these icons removed from my DMV photo document?

Yes. You may contact the agency (Parks or DEC) that issued the lifetime license, privilege, or credential to request they notify DMV to remove the icons. There are no fees associated with these requests. Any icon, except the Empire Passport icon, may also be removed by visiting a NY State DMV office. When removing icons through a visit to a DMV office, you will be required to pay the amendment fee as required by the Vehicle and Traffic Law ($12.50 for driver licenses/permits and $5.00 for non-driver identification cards).


9. Where is my document number located for my DMV-issued photo document?

It is now located on the back of the photo document. If you have an enhanced document, it is located in the top line of the Machine Readable Zone and is the 10 alpha-numeric digits that appear after the "ID USA". If you do not have an enhanced document, it is located above the box with the wording, "I hereby make an anatomical gift".

10.  How long will it take to get my new photo document with the icons? 

If you paid the fee to request the icons be added to your photo document immediately ($12.50 for driver licenses/permits and $5.00 for non-driver identification cards), it may take approximately 2 weeks for you to receive your photo document in the mail.  If you opted to have the icons printed at your next document renewal, you will receive your photo document with the icons after you renew your photo document.  


11.  What if I don’t receive my new photo document with the icons? 

If it has been more than 2 weeks since you requested your photo document with DEC or Parks, contact the agency where you placed the order.  For Boating Safety Certificate and Empire Passport holders, contact Parks via their website:  www.parks.ny.gov. For Lifetime Sportsman, Small/Big Game, Bow Hunting, Trapping, Muzzle Loading, or Fishing, contact DEC via their website