Published on New York DMV (https://dmv.ny.gov)

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Overview

New York State and the New York DMV believe in transparency in government, so the DMV has written a transparency plan (PDF) [1]. On this page, you will find links to important information about DMV's Strategic Plan and budget, to New York statewide data resources, as well as dates for DMV events and deadlines.

DMV Plans for the Future

The DMV is thinking about making changes and wants your input!  If you have any opinions about any of the ideas listed below, we want to hear from you.  You can email us at [email protected] [2]

  • Permanent Registration Sticker: Right now, whenever people with passenger vehicles renew their registration, they get a new registration sticker for their windshield.  We plan to give you a permanent registration windshield sticker for passenger vehicles instead.   This windshield sticker would stay on the vehicle for as long as the vehicle is registered to the current owner and would only be replaced if the sticker is damaged or registered to a new owner. You would still need to renew your registration every two years

New at DMV 

  • Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force.  Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Laws of 2020 and extended by Chapter 177 of the Laws of 2022, The Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force submitted its Final Report and recommendations (PDF) [3] to Governor Kathy Hochul, the temporary president of the Senate, and the speaker of the Assembly.
  • Driver License Suspension Reform.  Recently, there have been significant law changes that impact how driver licenses can be suspended as a result of a motorist failing to pay or answer a traffic ticket.  As of March of 2021, new license suspensions ended for failing to pay a fine resulting from most types of traffic tickets, and by the end of June of 2021 DMV had cleared the remaining 3.1 million open suspensions that resulted from failure to pay a fine across the State.  Additionally, payment plans are now available for traffic tickets across the state, and while a license will still be suspended for failure to appear, those suspensions are lifted once a payment plan is granted. 
  • Gender Change Policy.  Beginning May 27, 2022, in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act, DMV began processing applications at all DMV Offices to allow existing applicants to update their NYS photo documents to reflect an “X” gender option and new applicants to apply for a NYS photo document with an “X” gender option. This can be done by completing the Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) [4] MV-44 or you can update your sex identifier online [5] (available July 27, 2022). DMV’s crash records system was also updated in May 2022. DMV’s traffic ticketing systems will be updated to allow a gender X option in the summer of 2023.
  • In January, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to allow qualified third parties to offer the Commercial Driver License road test to help address the severe shortage of commercial drivers across the state. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) was the first third-party to be approved under the new program to provide the skills test to new drivers hired by the authority. Additional third-parties are expected to be approved later this year.
  • Class A CDL for drivers age 18 to 20. Effective May 14, 2022, the Vehicle and Traffic Law and the transportation law was amended [6] to establish a commercial driver's license (CDL) class A young adult training program. More information is available on the DMV website. [7]
  • [7]Pickup Trucks on Parkways.  DMV regulations used to allow pickup trucks weighing 6,000 or less to be plated with a passenger or commercial license plate, at the registrant’s option.  Pickups with a passenger plate can use the various parkways throughout New York State.  Starting May 25, 2022, DMV regulations were amended to allow all owners of personal-use pickups to select a passenger or commercial plate. Learn more here https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-pick-truck-passenger-class-vehicle [8] or read the notification adopting the new rules [9]
  • [9]Green Lights on Snowplows. Effective November 15, 2022, drivers may see snowplows with green lights on them. Due to a change in the Vehicle and Traffic law [10], snowplows may display green lights along with amber-colored lights while engaged in a hazardous operation. Drivers must move over when they see snowplows with amber or amber and green lights turned on.

DMV Resources

Eligible New Yorkers are encouraged to apply for FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, an extension of the Emergency Broadband Fund, that provides discounts up to $30/month toward internet service. Visit www.fcc.gov/acp [25] for more information and to sign-up.


Statewide Government Data Resources

  • Open Book New York [26]: Search state and government financial records
  • Project Sunlight [27]: Search for individuals and groups who are meeting with government officials
  • SeeThroughNY [28]: See how New York State tax dollars are spent
  • Open Data NY [29]: Get free public access to New York State government data

 

Commissioner's Corner

Listen to the DMV Commissioner talk about matters of public interest

The Commissioner on REAL ID [30]

The Commissioner on DMV Treansformation and the Strategic Plan [31]

The Commissioner on the Innovation Center [32]

The Commissioner on No More Lines at the DMV [33]