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Driver License Suspensions in New York
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend or revoke your NY driver's license for a variety of reasons. The information on this page relates to suspensions and revocations issued by the NY DMV.
Here are some examples of DMV-issued suspensions and revocations:
Suspensions
- Failure to respond to traffic ticket.
- Alcohol and drug violations.
- Vehicular homicide, assault, or criminal negligence.
- Speed contest.
Revocations
- Driving while ability impaired (DWAI).
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI).
- Chemical test refusal.
- DMV road test failure.
About Suspended Licenses in New York
IMPORTANT: If you're convicted of a criminal offense, you may be subject to extra reinstatement requirements with state or federal courts in addition to those required by the DMV. Be sure to follow every instruction provided by the DMV, the Traffic Violation Bureau (TVB), and/or the criminal court.
The New York DMV enforces different requirements depending on the reason for your NY driver's license suspension or revocation.
Unresolved suspensions will remain on your NY driving record forever.
For more information on causes leading to suspended driver's license, visit the NY DMV website.
Types of NY Driver License Suspensions
The NY DMV defines a suspension as a period of time you cannot legally drive. There are various types of license suspensions, including:
- Indefinite suspensions.
- Definite suspensions.
- Traffic accident suspensions.
- Out-of-state ticket suspensions.
Indefinite License Suspensions
Cases where the NY DMV may enforce an indefinite suspensionon your driver's license include when you fail to:
- Respond to a court summons.
- Pay a fine.
- File an accident report.
There is no pre-determined end date for your suspension. You must take action in order to have your New York driver's license reinstated (see “Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License' below).
Definite License Suspensions
When the DMV issues you a definite suspension, there will be a clear end date. You will be required to wait out the entire suspension period. Some examples of definite suspensions include:
- Persistent traffic violator (accumulating 11 points within 18 months): 60-day suspension.
- Moving violation during probationary period: 60-day suspension.
- Driving while ability impaired (DWAI) by drugs: 6-month suspension.
Once the suspension period has passed, you must pay your restoration/termination fees to have your driver's license reinstated. See “ Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License' below.
NOTE: Other requirements may apply depending on the type of violation. Please refer to the correspondence you received from the NY DMV or civil/criminal court for more information.
Traffic Accident License Suspensions
If you are involved in a car accident resulting in property damage greater than $1,001, you must file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (Form MV-104) with the New York DMV within 10 days after the accident.
If you fail to file the report with the DMV, your NY driver's license may be suspended. You'll need to respond to your ticket, pay the fee, or pay the mandatory surcharges to remove the suspension.
NOTE: For specific instructions on how to remove your suspension, see “Reinstate Your Driver's License' below.
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Out-of-State Ticket Suspensions
New York Drivers: The New York DMV will suspend your NY driver's license if you fail to respond to an out-of-state moving violation, unless the violation was in:
- Alaska.
- California.
- Michigan.
- Montana.
- Oregon.
- Wisconsin.
Your license will be suspended until you resolve the violation.
Out-of-State Drivers: If you live outside of New York (except in the above states) but fail to respond to your NYS traffic ticket, your driver license will be suspended until you resolve it.
Even if you do not have a NYS driver's license, the NY DMV will maintain a record of your suspension. To find out the status of your NY driver's license, you must order your driving record by mail. For more information, see our Driving Records in New York page.
NOTE: If you have paid your traffic ticket but your NYS driving record does not show the suspension as “terminated,' contact the NY state DMV directly.
Suspension Hearings & Appeals in NY
The Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) handles non-criminal moving violations in each of the 5 boroughs of NYC for the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Tickets issued outside of NYC are handled by the criminal or traffic court of the city, county, town or village where the alleged offense took place
You will likely be required to attend a TVB hearing if you're ticketed for:
- Speeding/misdemeanors.
- Violations during the new driver probationary period.
- Traffic violations adding up to more than 11 points.
NOTE: State/federal courts handle criminal offenses and may enforce suspensions and other penalties in addition to those from the NY DMV.
New York DMV Administrative Hearings
The DMV may require you to show up for an administrative hearing for your driver license suspension. You are considered innocent until proven guilty.
When you plead “not guilty' to a moving violation, your case will be forwarded to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who will make a judgment and set your penalty. The ALJ has the authority to suspend/revoke your license and/or vehicle registration in the interest of safety.
You can plead “ not guilty' or “guilty' to your ticket by:
- Using the online Traffic Ticket Pleas, Hearings and Payments system.
- Checking the “not guilty' or “guilty' box on your ticket and mailing it in within 15 days of the recorded violation date to the address listed on the form.
- You must submit payment for a guilty plea by VISA, MasterCard, check, or money order (made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles').
If you plead “ not guilty,' the DMV will mail you instructions about when and where to go.
The NYS DMV website provides a list of TVB offices in New York.
Postpone Your Hearing
If needed, you can request for your traffic ticket hearing to be rescheduled:
- By phone: Contact the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) at (718) 488-5710 at least 1 day before your hearing.
- In person: Visit the TVB address listed on your NY traffic ticket at least 1 day before your hearing.
- By mail: Send your request to the TVB at the address listed on your ticket.
- The TVB must receive your request at least 10 days before your scheduled hearing.
NOTE: For subsequent postponements, the TVB administrative law judge will require you to make your request inperson. You must have an acceptable reason.
Appeal Your Hearing Decision
You can appeal the result of your TVB hearing within 30 days of the decision. The TVB does NOT process convictions:
- That occurred within a local court.
- Resulting from criminalviolations.
OR - Resulting from unpaid parkingtickets.
You can appeal the result of your hearing either online or by mail.
To appeal online, visit the TVB Traffic Ticket Appeal page and enter your:
- Traffic ticket number.
- Client ID number.
- E-mail address.
- Full name.
- Mailing address.
- Payment for the non-refundable $10 fee.
To appeal by mail, send a completed Traffic Violations Bureau Appeal (Form AA-33) and payment for the non-refundable $10 fee to:
Appeals Board
DMV
P.O. Box 2935
Albany, NY 12220
DMV
P.O. Box 2935
Albany, NY 12220
Reinstate Your Suspended NY Driver's License
Your suspended NY driver's license will be automatically restored once you've served the full suspension period and satisfied any other requirements, such as:
- Paying the suspension termination fee. See details below.
- Paying any outstanding fines.
NOTE: Under special circumstances you may be required to apply for a new driver's license.
Definite Suspensions
If your driver's license is suspended for a specific period of time, you will need to pay your suspension termination fees in order to restore it. You can pay up to 10 suspension termination fees per day online.
To pay your fees online, visit the NY DMV website and enter your:
- Client ID number from your NY driver's license ORfull name.
- Date of birth and gender.
- The last 4 digits of your Social Security number (if filed with the NY DMV).
- Credit or debit card number (see “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License' below).
- E-mail address.
The New York DMV will restore your driver's license 2 business days after you submit your payment OR on the end date of your suspension. Please confirm the status of your driver's license before you drive a vehicle on NY roads. If you want the NY DMV to send you a new driver's license, make sure the address you have on file is up to date.
NOTE: You cannot pay traffic ticket fines or surcharges or civil penalties on this system.
Driver Responsibility Assessment
When your driver's license is suspended for a traffic conviction, you will need to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee before your license is reinstated.
The DMV will mail you a statement that includes the minimum amount you must pay. You can pay the fee online, by mail, or in person at a New York DMV office. Follow the instructions on your notice.
To pay your driver responsibility assessments online, visit the Driver Responsibility Assessment online system and:
- Enter EITHER:
- Your client ID number from your NY driver's license.
OR - Your name, gender, and dateofbirth.
- Your client ID number from your NY driver's license.
- Provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
- If you don't have a SSN, enter “9999.'
- Submit payment for your fees using a credit or debit card.
- The system will display exactly how much you must pay.
- Provide an e-mail address.
Be ready to write down or print out your confirmation number.
Civil Penalties
You will have to pay driver civil penalties if your driver's license was revoked or suspended under the NY Zero Tolerance Law. You can pay your fees:
- Online.
- By mail to the Driver Improvement Unit.
OR - In person at your local NY DMV office.
![Nyc Driver License Mailing Status Nyc Driver License Mailing Status](http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/multimedia/bundles/projects/2013/Licenses/2005front.jpg)
To pay online, visit the Driver License Civil Penalty Payment pageand enter your:
- Client ID number OR full name.
- Date of birth and gender.
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security number OR 9999 (if you do not have one on file).
- Credit or debit card number to pay for your fees.
- The online system will show how much you must pay.
- E-mail address.
Be prepared to write down your confirmation number or have a printer ready.
NOTE: If you need to pay a civil penalty for a vehicle registration suspension due to a lapse in insurance, please visit the Insurance Civil Penalty Payment page.
DUI/DWI Suspensions
Under NYS law, all licensed drivers automatically give consent to a chemical test (e.g., breath, blood, urine, or saliva) for the purpose of measuring alcohol or drug content. If you refuse to take a chemical test, your NY driver's license will be suspended for at least 1 year.
When convicted of any type of DUI or DWAI in New York, you will lose your privilege to drive and face severe fines/penalties.
The criminal levels for blood-alcohol content (BAC) levels are as follows:
- DWAI/alcohol (driving while ability impaired): Between 0.05% to 0.07%.
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI): .0.08% or higher.
- Aggravated DWI: 0.18% or higher.
- DWAI/drug (driving while ability impaired): Driving impaired by a single drug.
- DWAI/combination: Driving with a combination of drugs and alcohol.
- Zero Tolerance Law: If you're under 21 years old and caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% to 0.07%, you're subject to a license suspension in New York.
If you were convicted of your first DWI or DWAI conviction, the NY DMV will determine if you're eligible to participate in the Impaired Driver Program (IDP) and for a conditional license. If you're a frequent offender, you could be sentenced to jail time.
The criminal court or New York DMV will mail you details about your specific suspension/revocation and the amounts you must pay.
For more information about DUI/DWI violations, including violation fees, suspension duration, reinstatement, or the Impaired Driver Program in New York, please visit our DUI & DWI in New York page.
Restricted NY Driver's License
In some cases, the New York DMV offers conditional and restrictedlicenses, which allow you to operate your vehicle with limited privileges.
The NY DMV will notify you bymail with instructions on how to proceed if you're eligible.
Ineligible drivers may consider applying for an ID card as a form of identification.
Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License
Depending on the type of violation, your NY driver license suspension will involve a variety of fees. Refer to the correspondence you receive from your local court, state/federal court, or Traffic Violations Bureau for an exact breakdown of fees.
In addition to paying any civil penalties, tickets, fines, or other charges, you must pay the following DMV suspension termination fees:
- Definite suspensions: $50.
- Indefinite suspensions: vary.
- Zero Tolerance Law violations: $100.
For more information about re-application fees, civil penalties, and revoked licenses in New York, read the NYS DMV guide.
Acceptable Payment Methods
You can pay your re-application fee online with one of the following debit/credit cards:
- American Express.
- Discover/Novus.
- MasterCard.
- VISA.
If you pay bymail, enclose a certifiedcheck or moneyorder made payable to 'Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.'
For payments made in person, contact your local NY DMV office for accepted payment methods.
Revoked NY Driver's License
When your driver license is revoked, the NY DMV considers it cancelled. Once the revocation period is over, you'll be required to apply for a new driver license and appeal for your privilege to drive.
Restore a NY Revoked License
Before you can restore your revoked driver's license, you must first request approval from the NY DMV Driver Improvement Unit. You'll need to:
- Serve the revocation period in full.
- Resolve any license suspensions (if applicable).
- Pay suspension termination fees, re-application fees, or civil penalties.
- See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License' above.
You can request approval either online or by mail. If you submit your request for approval by mail, you must wait until 30 days before the end of your revocation period. The NY DMV can take up to 12 weeks to process your request.
Once you receive an approval, apply for your driver license in person at your local NY DMV office. You may still be required to pass the written and road test to obtain your new driver's license in NY.
Please visit the NY DMV Revocation page for information about special cases and additional requirements for specific revocation types.
Online
To apply for approval to restore your license online, visit the MyDMV Restoration After Revocation page and sign up for a MyDMV account (if you don't already have one). This process is much quicker than submitting your request bymail.
As described above, you must pay all required fees, including your re-application fee and civil penalties (if applicable). The online application will show details about the specific fees you're required to pay.
For more fee information, see “ Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License.'
By Mail
To apply for approval bymail complete the Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form MV-44). If you're an out-of-state driver, complete a Request for NYS Driving Privileges (Form DS-115) instead.
Mail your application to:
Driver Improvement Unit
NYS DMV
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 336
Albany, NY 12228
NYS DMV
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 336
Albany, NY 12228
NOTE: The Driver Improvement Unit (DIU) does not accept payment for traffic tickets.
CDL Suspensions in New York
The following DUI/DWAI restrictions in New York are stricter for commercial drivers.
- DWI: BAC of 0.04% or higher.
- DWAI (alcohol): 0.02% or higher, if you're under 21 years old.
If your standard New York driver's license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled, the NY DMV will also revoke your commercial driving privileges.
On your second offense related to alcohol, a controlled substance, or a felony violation, you will lose your NY commercial driver's license for life.
Please visit our Commercial Drivers section for more information.
Forms
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A NY drivers license renewal application must be completed online, by mail or at your local DMV office. Depending on your eligibility, you may be restricted to renewing your license in person. REAL ID cards are available in New York and may be renewed online or by mail. Restrictions apply.
DMV license renewal fees vary and are based on your address. Additional fines and fees may be applied if your license has expired. While out-of-state renewals are available, military members must submit additional paperwork if their licenses expire during active duty.
Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in New York
Note: The expiration date of your driving privileges can be found on your license, next to the issue date.
Residents of New York are only eligible to renew drivers licenses online if they do not need to take new photographs. Similarly, the address on file at the DMV must be up-to-date before an application can be processed. Commercial drivers licenses cannot be renewed via New York’s online DMV system.
Fines may be applied to an expired drivers license if the renewal application is not submitted within the state’s grace period. If you are found driving on an expired license, you may be subject to the following late fees and fines.
- $25 to $40 if expired for less than 60 days.
- $75 to $300 if expired for more than 60 days.
Additional state taxes and surcharges may be applied to all expired applications.
Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in New York
You cannot submit a drivers license renewal online if your address does not match the one on file at the DMV. Similarly, you cannot renew a REAL ID card online or by mail if the DMV does have the correct paperwork on file. Class changes cannot be made during online DMV license renewals and must be submitted in person or by mail. Furthermore, you cannot change the class of your license when submitting an NY DMV renewal, unless it is one of the following approved transitions:
- From CDL, Class A, B or C to Class D, E, or non-commercial Class C
- From non-commercial Class C or E to Class D
- From non-commercial Class C to Class E
- From Class D to Class E
How early can you renew your drivers license in New York?
Applicants are invited to renew their licenses up to one year before it expires. DMV license renewals are also allowed up to two years after a license expires. However, additional fees and fines may be applied. If you renew your license up to one year prior to the expiration date, it will not affect the length of time that the new license is valid. A drivers license renewal submitted two years after the expiration date must be processed as a new license. Written tests, skills tests and courses may be required.
Where can I Renew my Drivers License in New York
The state of New York offers residents three methods to renew a drivers license: online, by mail or in person. Each method involves separate steps and follows unique guidelines.
How to Renew Your Drivers License Online
Applicants who currently hold a REAL ID or wish to renew their standard license, may do so online. However, if you wish to renew a standard drivers license online and upgrade to a REAL ID card, you must complete your application at the DMV. Follow the below steps to apply online and keep the same credentials:
- Take and pass the DMV eye test. These tests are available at over 2,300 approved locations, including pharmacies, eye care providers and physicians’ offices. Fees may apply. An eye test report may be downloaded from the NY DMV website and completed by the healthcare professional. However, this form does not need to be physically submitted to complete the application online.
- Complete your NY voter registration, if applicable.
- Complete the online drivers license renewal form. You will be required to enter personal information, such as your Social Security Number and address.
- Pay the DMV license renewal fee.
- Download a temporary license. Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 business days.
How to Renew Driving Licenses by Mail
Eligible applicants may apply for a REAL ID or standard DMV license renewal by mail. Follow the below steps to submit an application.
- Complete and submit the renewal notice sent to you in the mail.
- Complete a DMV license renewal form if you did not receive a renewal notice.
- Complete a vision test report or provide proof that you have been tested.
- Include a check or money order payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Do not send cash in the mail.
- Send the above items to the following address.
After an application has been sent, drivers may check the status of their request online. Applications are typically process within two weeks.
How to Renew My License in Person
Residents may visit an NY drivers license office to submit a renewal in person. Complete the following steps to renew a standard NY license.
- Complete and submit the renewal notice sent to you in the mail. Alternatively, you may complete the renewal application form if no notice was received.
- Submit your current license.
- Pay the drivers license renewal
Military & Out of State Renewal in New York
Out-of-state drivers license renewal applications may be sent by mail. However, you must send a self-addressed stamped envelope with the application to have your new license sent to an out-of-state address.
Military personnel wanting to extend a drivers license renewal application may do so by submitting a Military Service Notification form to the DMV. Once received, the NY DMV will extend the license for six months after the applicant has been released from active duty. Military members must then renew their drivers licenses within the first six months of being discharged. Additional paperwork from commanding officers may be required for expired licenses.
New York REAL ID Drivers License Renewal
While REAL ID DMV license renewals are not mandatory, they will become mandatory in 2020. Passengers wishing to take domestic flights without a passport must hold a REAL ID card. Therefore, it is recommended to update your standard license with a REAL ID card during the renewal process.
Drivers license renewals issued before October 30, 2017 are not REAL ID compliant. The standard license is marked with the phrase NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES. Complete the following steps to upgrade your standard license for a REAL ID card at the DMV.
- Complete and submit the DMV license renewal notice sent to you in the mail. Alternatively, you may complete the Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card form if no notice was received.
- Submit your current license.
- Provide proof of date of birth. Your standard NY license may be used.
- Provide proof of Social Security Number, such as your Social Security card or a current W-2 form.
- Provide proof of NY residency in two forms, such as a bank statement and utility bill.
- Provide proof of identification, such as a valid United States passport or certified United States birth certificate.
- Pay the drivers license renewal fee.
All identification documents must show the same name and be the original versions or certified copies.
New York Drivers License Renewal Fees
The drivers license renewal fee will be marked on your renewal notice. In some cases, residents of the areas below must pay an additional Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District fee. The MCTD fee is $1 for every six months the license is valid.
- Bronx
- Kings (Brooklyn)
- New York (Manhattan)
- Queens
- Richmond (Staten Island)
- Dutchess
- Nassau
- Orange
- Putnam
- Rockland
- Suffolk
- Westchester
A REAL ID license renewal does not cost extra. However, an additional $30 must be paid for all renewals. See below for a breakdown of NY DMV licensing costs.
- Class A, B, C and CDL renewals are $164.50 or $180.50 with the MCTD fee added.
- Class D or DJ renewals are $64.50 or $80.50 with the MCTD fee added.
- Class E renewals are $112.50 or $128.50 with the MCTD fee added.
- Class M or MJ renewals are $72.50 or $88.50 with the MCTD fee added.
Related Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Renew License from DMV.NY.gov
- Vision Registry Locator from DMV.NY.gov
- Driver Licenses, Learner Permits, And Non-Driver Photo ID Cards from DMV.NY.gov