About
A "returned," "dishonored," "bad," or "bounced" check is when you pay DMV a fee by check, but we are not able to process it because there is not enough money in your bank account.
Repay a Returned Check
The DMV will send a letter to the address we have on file informing you that your check has not been honored by a bank. You will have 30 days from the date we mail the letter to repay the check (fee) amount in addition to a $35 civil penalty fee.
If the person the transaction is for and the writer of the check are different, the bad check will affect the record of the person the transaction is for. For example, if a parent writes a bad check for their child, the child's record will be affected (license suspended), not the parent's.
You must pay
- by mail (you cannot pay online or at an office)
- by Certified Check or Money Order (Do not send us cash by mail)
Pay Bad Check
Contact us by phone:
Mailing Address:
Regular mail
Revenue Accounting
New York State DMV
P.O. Box 2409
Albany, NY 12220-0409
Overnight mail
Revenue Accounting
New York State DMV, Room 233
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228
Clearing a Suspension
If the DMV does not receive payment within 30 days, we will suspend your New York State driver license and/or registration. DMV will send a suspension notice (called an “order”) to the address we have on file.
You can clear the suspension by paying the amount of the returned check plus the Civil Penalty Fee. DMV will process payment on the date we receive it, and your suspension will be cleared overnight.
You will receive a restoration notice by mail at the address of record.
You will not be able to write personal checks to the DMV until 5 years after you pay to clear the suspension.