Most Frequently Asked Questions
  by New York State Older Drivers

I keep a residence in NYS part of the year and in another state the other part of the year. Can I keep my NYS driver license and also get a driver license from the other state?

Contact the Motor Vehicle Department in the other state. If that state issues a driver license that is valid only within that state (a "one state only" driver license), you can apply for that type of driver license and also keep your NYS driver license.

If the other state does not issue a "one state only" driver license, then you must decide in which state you will have a driver license. You cannot have a driver license from more than one state, unless one of the driver licenses is a "one state only" driver license.

Note: NYS does not issue a "one state only" driver license.

If you apply for a "full" driver license in another state, you will be required to surrender your NYS driver license to that state. You can apply for a NYS non-driver photo ID card after your driver license from the other state is issued.

The DMV web site has complete information about how to apply for a non-driver ID Card.

My NYS driver license will expire during a period when I will live outside NYS. What can I do?

You can renew early, before you leave NYS. The law allows you to renew to a maximum of 12 months before your driver license expires. Early renewal does not change the expiration date of your renewed driver license or cost any more money.

How can I renew my NYS driver license?

You can renew your NYS driver license online, by mail, or at a state or county motor vehicle office. For all renewals you must have your vision tested at a DMV office or you can submit a vision test form. Have the vision test form MV-619 or form MV-619R completed by a qualified vision care professional.

The DMV web site has complete information about how to renew your NYS driver license.

Why do I have to renew my driver license for eight years?

NYS law requires your driver license to be renewed for eight years.

You can use form MV-215 (Request for Refund) to apply for a refund. You can apply for a refund if, during the first four years the driver license is in effect, you:

• Exchange your NYS driver license for a driver license in another state, or
• Surrender your driver license to the NYS DMV.

The refund will be for the amount you paid for the final four years of the driver license.

Can I request that my driver license be sent to an address outside NYS?

You can include a request to mail the document to a different address if you renew your driver license at a motor vehicle office or by mail.

You cannot request mailing to a different address, and you cannot change your address, when you renew a driver license online.

Which address will be printed on my NYS driver license?

The address listed on the DMV driver license record as your mailing address is the address that is displayed on the document. Alternate addresses or residence addresses are not displayed on the driver license document.

New Enhanced Driver Licenses

You can apply for an enhanced driver license even if your current driver license is not due for renewal. If you do this, the expiration date of your driver license will change. You must apply for an enhanced driver license in person at a DMV office.

The DMV web site has complete information about how to apply for an enhanced driver license.

How do I change my address on DMV records and documents?

The DMV web site has complete information about how to change your address on DMV records and documents.

Where can I get information about a NYS non-driver photo ID card?

The DMV web site has complete information about how to apply for and renew a non-driver photo ID card.

How can I contact the DMV?

The DMV web site has complete information to contact the DMV online, by phone, by mail, or at a DMV office.