DMV FAQs

Bring both license plates to the DMV office and a new set can be issued at no charge. The replacement plates will have a different plate number.

If you want to keep your existing plate number, contact the New York State DMV Custom Plate Unit at 1-518-402-4838. A fee may apply to keep your existing plate number.

Yes. New York residents may upgrade an eligible license, permit or non-driver ID card to a New York State Enhanced Driver License (EDL) or Enhanced Non-Driver ID (ENDID).

An Enhanced document can serve as proof of identity, U.S. citizenship and New York State residence. It may also be used instead of a passport for certain land and sea border crossings between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

An Enhanced Driver License or Enhanced Non-Driver ID cannot be used instead of a passport for international air travel.

Applicants generally need documents that establish Social Security status, citizenship or lawful status, identity, New York State residence and any legal name changes.

The documents described in the current page include:

• Social Security card
• Birth certificate or valid U.S. passport
• Current New York State photo document
• Two forms of proof of residence
• Documents supporting any name changes, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree

If you do not have your Social Security card, the office may be able to accept the most recent W-2 or 1099 if it includes your Social Security number and the information can be verified.

Birth certificates must be government-issued. Hospital-issued or souvenir birth certificates are not accepted. An unexpired U.S. passport may be used instead of a birth certificate.

Examples of documents that may be accepted as proof of New York State residence include:

• New York State license, permit or non-driver ID with the address printed on the front; address-change stickers are not accepted for this purpose
• Utility bill that includes the detachable payment portion, your name and physical address
• Computer-printed pay stub that includes your name and address
• Postmarked mail dated within 90 days of the application
• Credit card statement
• Bank statement
• New York State pistol permit

License, Permit or Non-Driver ID

If your license or permit is not expired or suspended and your address has not changed, you may be able to order a replacement without completing a form. The current page lists a fee of $17.50 for a duplicate license or permit and $8 for a duplicate non-driver ID card.

Form MV-44 (PDF)(PDF, 357KB) may be required if your address has changed and your photo document is a New York State license.

If your New York State photo document was stolen, obtain an MV-78B from your local police department and bring it to the DMV office. The current page states that the replacement fee may be waived, but Form MV-44 must still be completed. Delivery of the replacement photo document is estimated at two to three weeks.

Registration

Bring your New York State photo document and plate number. In many cases, a duplicate registration can be issued without completing a form.

The current page lists a $3 fee for a duplicate vehicle or trailer registration and $1 for a duplicate snowmobile registration.

If the registration was stolen, complete Form MV-82 (PDF)(PDF, 346KB). The current page states that you will leave the office with the windshield sticker and registration card.

New York State Certificate of Title

Complete Form MV-902 (PDF)(PDF, 248KB). The current page lists a $20 fee. You will need the vehicle year, make and vehicle identification number (VIN). The estimated mailing time listed is seven to 10 business days.

When applications and renewals are processed locally, final documents may be mailed by New York State while temporary documents are issued at the Genesee County DMV office.

• License renewals: Approximately two to three weeks. A paper temporary document is provided at the office.
• Registration renewals: The current page states that you leave the office with your windshield sticker and registration card.
• New York State Certificate of Title: Approximately one month.
• Out-of-state title: Approximately three months.

Processing DMV transactions locally also helps generate local revenue for Genesee County.

Generally, no. The computerized inspection system may prevent a registration renewal from being processed if the vehicle does not have a current inspection.

Wait times cannot be guaranteed. Based on the office's experience, Mondays and Fridays are generally the busiest days. The lunch period between noon and 2 p.m. may also be busier.

A motor vehicle registered in New York State must be covered by automobile liability insurance. The current page lists minimum coverage of:

• $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury
• $50,000/$100,000 for death
• $10,000 for property damage from one accident

New York State is a no-fault insurance state.

If your required liability insurance coverage ends and you do not surrender your license plates, your registration and driver license may be subject to suspension.

To avoid penalties, surrender your plates to DMV before required liability insurance coverage lapses.

If you are involved in a crash, stop your vehicle and exchange required information with the other drivers.

If the crash results only in property damage, exchange driver license, insurance and registration information. If a parked vehicle or other property is damaged, or a domestic animal is injured, locate the owner or contact police.

The current page states that when property damage to any person is $1,001 or more, all involved drivers must file Form MV-104, Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (PDF)(PDF, 278KB) with DMV within 10 days. Failure to report a qualifying crash may result in suspension of your driver license.

If someone is injured or killed, New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires immediate notification to police. The involved drivers and police must file required accident reports with DMV. Leaving the scene of a crash involving personal injury or death is a crime.

A crash may appear on the records of all involved drivers. Its appearance on a driver record does not mean DMV determined that driver was at fault.

Visit a DMV office and bring your New York State license, non-driver ID or permit, along with certified documentation supporting your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

Complete Form MV-44 (PDF)(PDF, 357KB). The current page lists a $12.50 fee for a replacement license showing the new name.

You must also update your name on vehicles registered to you. Bring the ownership documents, such as the title, for each vehicle. The current page states that these documents may be updated without a fee.

If the vehicle is leased, contact the leasing company. The current page states that the company must provide a certified copy of the front and back of the title, a letter authorizing the name change on the New York State registration, and a Power of Attorney allowing you to sign for the leasing company.

You must notify DMV of an address change within 10 days. You can use Form MV-232, Address Change (PDF)(PDF, 358KB), available through the Motor Vehicle Office.

Boats

A boat powered by a motor and operated on public waterways must be registered in New York State, even when the motor is not the boat's primary means of propulsion.

Bring a completed MV-82B, Boat Registration/Title Application (PDF)(PDF, 283KB), the required sales-tax documentation or proof of exemption or tax paid, proof of ownership, identification and a bill of sale. The boat trailer must also be registered.

Snowmobiles

A snowmobile operated in New York State must be registered unless it is used exclusively on the owner's private property or on private property the owner has a contractual right to use.

Bring a completed MV-82SN, Snowmobile Registration Application (PDF)(PDF, 157KB), DTF-802, Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift (PDF)(PDF, 176KB) or other required sales-tax documentation, proof of ownership, identification and a bill of sale.

The snowmobile trailer must also be registered, and a helmet must be worn.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

The current page states that an ATV operated in New York State must generally be registered, including when operated solely on private property, except for certain agricultural uses or private, not-for-hire snowplowing.

The current page also states that ATVs may be operated on public lands posted for ATV use and on private property with the landowner's permission. A helmet must be worn.

Bring a completed MV-82, Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF)(PDF, 346KB), required sales-tax documentation or proof of exemption or tax paid, proof of ownership and identification described on ID-82, Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title (PDF)(PDF, 129KB).

The current page states that ATV insurance is required unless the ATV is operated solely on the owner's property. Proof of insurance may need to be shown upon request to a judge, police officer or a person claiming injury or property damage.

When someone other than the registrant submits a vehicle registration application at a DMV office, that person must provide acceptable proof of identity for both parties.

The acceptable New York State photo documents listed on the current page are:

• New York State driver license
• New York State learner permit
• New York State non-driver photo ID card

The second party must show:

• The registrant's New York State photo document, either the original or a photocopy
• The second party's own original New York State photo document

The current page states that an expired document may be accepted if it has been expired for less than two years.

If either person does not have a photo document issued by New York State DMV, the current page states that DMV will not process the second-party application and the registrant must apply directly.

The registrant must sign all required forms. A second party must have Power of Attorney to sign for another person.

Example

If a wife brings a vehicle registration application to DMV for her husband, she must show a photocopy or original of her husband's driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID, as well as her own original New York State photo document. The husband must sign all required forms before they are brought to the office.

Driver manuals are available at the Motor Vehicle Office free of charge. Applicants may also review the Driver's Manual and Study Guide and take practice tests to prepare.

The current page lists the following requirements:

• Original birth certificate or certified copy; hospital birth certificates are not accepted
• Original signed Social Security card; the name should match the birth certificate
• A parent or guardian must accompany the applicant; proof of guardianship must be provided when applicable
• The parent or guardian must show a New York State driver license, non-driver ID or required identity documents from ID-44, Proofs of Identity (PDF)(PDF, 272KB)
• Tests are given daily until 3 p.m.

No. Traffic and parking tickets must be paid through the court or other authority responsible for the location where the ticket was issued.

The following information describes alcohol- and drug-related driving laws adopted in 2006. Because penalties and license sanctions may have changed since then, this section should be reviewed before being used as current legal guidance.

Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated

Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .18 or higher is identified in the current page as Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) 1192(2-a).

Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Alcohol

The current page describes VTL 1192(4-a) as prohibiting operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by the combined influence of more than one drug or a combination of alcohol and one or more drugs.

Sanctions and Fines Listed on the Current Page

• A first offense under VTL 1192(2-a): minimum one-year revocation and a fine of $1,000 to $2,500.
• A second qualifying offense within 10 years: 18-month revocation and a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.
• A first offense under VTL 1192(4-a): six-month revocation and a fine of $500 to $1,000.
• A second offense: one-year revocation and a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.
• The page states that certain convictions following a prior VTL 1192(2-a) conviction within 10 years may result in an 18-month revocation.

All revocation periods listed above are described as minimum periods.

Chemical Test Refusal

The current page states:

• A first refusal results in a license revocation of at least one year.
• For a commercial motor vehicle driver, the revocation period is 18 months.
• If the driver has a qualifying prior alcohol-related conviction, chemical-test refusal or zero-tolerance finding within the preceding five years, the minimum revocation is 18 months.
• The listed civil penalty is $500 for a first refusal.
• The listed civil penalty is $550 for a first refusal involving a commercial motor vehicle.

Permanent Revocations

The current page states that VTL 1193(2)(b)(12) created permanent license revocation provisions for motorists convicted of multiple alcohol-related offenses and that certain motorists may request a waiver after five to eight years.

The Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) is an additional fee imposed by New York State DMV following certain convictions, chemical-test refusals or an accumulation of points. It is separate from fines, penalties and surcharges collected by courts.

The current page states that a DRA applies in the following circumstances:

• For certain alcohol- or drug-related driving convictions or a qualifying refusal to submit to a chemical test: $250 each year for three years.
• When a driver accumulates six or more points within an 18-month period: $100 each year for three years, plus $25 for each additional point accumulated during that period.

Completing a point-reduction course does not reduce the number of points used to calculate a DRA.

The current page states that DMV sends a statement showing the minimum payment and due date. Failure to pay may result in suspension of a driver license, permit or driving privilege.

Payments can be made by mail or in the office by cash, check, money order or credit card, according to the current page.

The current page further states that if a DRA remains unpaid for 45 days, an indefinite suspension is issued and remains until payment is received. It also states that a person suspended for nonpayment is not eligible for a conditional or restricted license until payment is made.

When applying for an original or renewed New York State Commercial Driver License (CDL), Class A, B or C, applicants must make required certifications about their driving history and federal medical qualification status.

• You must report any driver license held in another state or the District of Columbia during the previous 10 years.
• You must certify whether you meet applicable federal requirements under 49 CFR Part 391, including medical requirements where applicable.

The current page also states that, beginning in June 2015, new CDL applicants and CDL holders renewing or changing their licenses must present a birth certificate or U.S. passport, and that CDL drivers must provide proof of residence when processing any license transaction.

Federal commercial-driver regulations include medical qualification requirements for many commercial drivers. The current page states that a Medical Examiner's Certificate may be valid for no more than two years.

The current page states that when applying for or renewing a New York State CDL, an applicant must certify whether they have a current, valid Medical Examiner's Certificate and provide required information when applicable.

The current page also contains older exceptions involving:

• A New York State CDL with a "K" restriction
• Licenses expiring before April 1, 2006
• Licenses issued before September 9, 1999
• An "A3" restriction for operation of school buses, municipal vehicles or both

The page states that a person who does not meet CDL certification requirements should contact a local DMV office for information about renewing a non-commercial New York State driver license.

It also states that operating a commercial motor vehicle without meeting applicable medical or restriction requirements is a violation of law.

Driver license restriction codes appear next to the R: on the front of the photo driver license document. Explanations of the codes are provided on the back of the document.

To obtain a Medical Examiner's Certificate for commercial driving, you must complete the required medical examination with an eligible medical examiner.

The current page lists medical doctors (MD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), physician assistants (PA) and advanced practice nurses (APN) as examples of medical professionals who may perform the examination.

Contact your medical provider and ask whether they can perform the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical required for commercial motor vehicle drivers.

Additional information is available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

You can also review MV-44.5, Federal Requirements for Commercial Driver License Applicants. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FCMSA) website provides information about 49 CFR Part 391 and other federal CDL requirements.

The current page lists the following documents:

• U.S. passport
• Birth certificate bearing an official seal and issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying possession of the United States
• Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-545 or DS-1350
• Certificate of Naturalization, Form N-550 or N-570
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, Form N-560 or N-561
• Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card, Form I-551
• Temporary I-551 stamp on a foreign passport
• Temporary I-551 stamp on Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with a photograph of the bearer
• Re-entry Permit, Form I-327