Overview

New York State and the New York DMV believe in transparency in government, so the DMV has written a transparency plan [1] (pdf). 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.

Learn about upcoming DMV events and deadlines [2].

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] [3]

• 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
• Third Party CDL Testing.  DMV completed a public hearing on January 26, 2022 [4] to discuss the idea of allowing third parties to administer the CDL road test, to augment DMV’s own statewide testing program.  DMV is now reviewing the results of the hearing and the written comments and materials,

New at DMV

• What’s New About Loud Mufflers?  Not that much.  Since at least 1925, it has been illegal under New York State Law for car, truck and motorcycle drivers to run “straight pipes” or use “cut outs,” and since 1960 the law has banned any change to an original muffler that results in noise louder than the original muffler.  Drivers who break the law can be ticketed.  Effective April 1, 2022, the law was changed to include installers and add penalties for improper motorcycle inspections.  The new law bans the sale and installation of after-market mufflers and modifications that make a motor vehicle louder than the original manufacturer’s muffler, and the fine for doing so is up to $1,000 and/or jail time of up to 30 days.  Inspections stations can lose their license if they fail three times in 18 months to properly inspect a motorcycle’s muffler. 
• 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) [5] MV-44. An online transaction will be made available to update your gender in July 2022.
• 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]

   

DMV Resources

• DMV Strategic Plan [10] ( [10]PDF): See DMV's Strategic Plan, a look at DMV's goals for the coming years
• Commissioner's Budget testimony [11]:  Listen to the Commissioner's testimony to the Legislature
• DMV's Enacted Budget [12]- See the DMV's budget for the year
• Accessibility Policy [13]: Report an Issue related to the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Inspector General Complaint Form [14]: File a complaint about suspected misconduct or crimes at DMV with the State Inspector General
• Report a problem with a DMV regulated automotive business [15]: Report a problem with a repair shop, auto broker or auto dealer
• Report a problem with a DMV office or representative [16]: Report a problem you experienced with a DMV employee
• Report a problem with the DMV website [17]: Report any probems or errors with the DMV website
• Report a problem with odometer or mileage fraud [18]: Report odometer or mileage fraud to the DMV
• File a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request [19]: File a request for DMV documents
• New York State Employee Discrimination Complaint form [20] (PDF): If you are a New York State Employee, file a discrimination or sexual harassment complaint with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations
• Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy, Procedure and Form [21]: File a discrimination complaint under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
• Highway Safety Strategic Plan (pdf) [22]:  Read the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee's strategic highway safety plan
• Highway Safety Annual Report (pdf) [23]: Read the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee's annual report regarding highway saftety.

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 [24] for more information and to sign-up.

Statewide Government Data Resources

• Open Book New York [25]: Search state and government financial records
• Project Sunlight [26]: Search for individuals and groups who are meeting with government officials
• SeeThroughNY [27]: See how New York State tax dollars are spent
• Open Data NY [28]: 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 Transparency [29]

The Commissioner on RealID [30]