Press Release - 08-23-2016

DMV News

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 23, 2016

 

Contacts:
Joe Morrissey             [email protected]       
Casey McNulty           [email protected]

 

 

DMV ENCOURAGES STATE FAIR ENTHUSIASTS TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE FAIR WITH A NEW CUSTOM LICENSE PLATE

 

DMV Staff Will Sell Plate, Help Customers Complete Transactions in the Center of Progress Building for 12 Days Beginning August 25

 

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today reminded New Yorkers and fans of the Great New York State Fair that its “I LOVE NY” State Fair custom license plate will again be available for customers to order at the 2016 State Fair, which runs from August 25 through September 5 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

“The Great New York State Fair is the nation’s oldest state fair and one of our state’s most popular annual tourist attractions. The Fairgrounds have undergone extraordinary changes this year and we look forward to playing a role in this 12-day extravaganza,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “Our beautifully designed State Fair plate is a great way for New Yorkers to show their pride in the Fair and the Empire State. DMV looks forward to providing its services to New Yorkers visiting the Fair, as well as interacting with fairgoers from across the state and beyond.”

One person planning to pick up State Fair plates this year is Town of Geddes Supervisor Manny Falcone. In fact, this will be his second. A couple of months ago, Falcone purchased a new Dodge Ram pickup, but he could not transfer his Fair plate from his old car, a Dodge Challenger, because it is not a commercial plate.

“The plates looked sweet on the Challenger,” Falcone said. “I’m going to the State Fair and getting another one for my truck. The plate is a great idea, and it’s important, especially for Syracuse people.”

Geneanne Keegan-Smith, who manages concessions and exhibits for the State Fair, said she recently ordered and received a set of personalized Fair plates. She has an obvious connection, having worked at the Fair for 24 years, but her ties to it run much deeper.

“I grew up with the Fair,” she said, explaining that her parents ran a food stand there from 1974 to 2006. “Ever since I was little, I wanted to work for the Fair, and now I do. The plate is a great idea; now everyone knows it’s me.”

New York motorists can also order the State Fair plate online at dmv.ny.gov or by visiting a DMV office. New Yorkers can also order most custom plates by calling the Custom Plates Office at (518) 402-4838. The initial cost of a standard plate is $43.75, or $75 if a customer wants a personalized plate, and $15 of the annual renewal fee goes to the New York State Department of Economic Development for use in tourism marketing.

 

Acting New York State Fair Director Troy Waffner said, “We know people are passionate about the Fair. We hear from them all year that they build important time with family or friends around the Fair. Having the Fair on your vehicle is a great way to remember those good times and is a surefire way to start a conversation with other people who love the Fair, too.”

In addition to ordering the State Fair plate and other custom license plates, fairgoers will be able to update their driver license or non-driver ID photo at the DMV exhibit. Staff will also be equipped with electronic tablets to offer vision tests, assist with web transactions, book reservations to DMV offices, sign up organ donors and renew registrations and driver licenses. 

 

Many of the services being offered at the Fair, including simple transactions that can be completed on a kiosk, are part of DMV’s Customer Service Initiative, which was launched by Governor Cuomo in 2012 and developed to help the agency better respond to the needs of New Yorkers.

The DMV exhibit is situated in the Center of Progress Building at the Fairgrounds, and will be staffed August 25 to September 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Labor Day, September 5.

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