DMV Expands Online Services
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding online services, making it easier for New Yorkers to do business with the DMV from the comfort of their homes, and allowing the DMV to serve more customers in person who cannot complete their transactions online. The DMV has initiated a pilot program to offer the written learner permit tests for passenger cars (Class D) and motorcycles (Class M) online. It is also piloting a process to allow customers who reside in counties served by the state DMV to register their vehicles online.
"As the last six months have demonstrated, we need to continue reimagining how to provide essential government services safely, securely and efficiently in the midst of this pandemic," Governor Cuomo said. "These online options will make it more convenient for New Yorkers to access the services they need, while reducing congestion in the DMV offices and helping continue our shared progress in stopping the spread of this virus."
So great. You won't have to wait for your number to be called. The state Department of Motor Vehicles is now processing most transactions online or through secure drop boxes. You can renew your current license or non-driver ID online now, but REAL IDs and EDLs require an in-person visit
DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "We always strive to adapt and modernize our services to better meet the needs of our customers and to make things safer as we battle the coronavirus. Offering these transactions online is more convenient and safer for those who need to get a permit or register a vehicle, and it allows us to free up more space in our offices to serve those who cannot do their transaction remotely."
About the Online Permit Test
Select customers who currently have a reservation for an in-office permit test will be invited to take the exam online, and following the successful launch of this pilot, the online option will become available to all permit applicants later this fall.
The most time-consuming aspect of getting a learner permit is taking the exam. By offering the test online, New Yorkers will save significant time when they come to the DMV to finish the application process and will be able to take the test at their convenience in a familiar and safe environment. It also frees up office space, allowing the DMV to accommodate more customers in-person who cannot complete their transactions online or by mail or drop box.
The online learner permit tests contain 50 questions and take approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. Those who pass the test will receive an email with further instructions about making a reservation at a DMV office to complete the process of getting their learner permit. An appointment to complete the process takes only 5 minutes, on average.
Applicants should use this guide to make sure they have the documents and proofs of identification needed, before going to the DMV. Applicants have two years from the time they pass the test to schedule a reservation at the DMV and complete the application process.
A parent or guardian must supervise the test for anyone 16 and 17 years old, and then must accompany the applicant to the DMV to complete the application process and certify that they performed these duties.
The tests are available in 16 languages including: English, Spanish, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, and Russian.
Reservations for road tests are available across the state to all drivers who have a permit. Drivers under age 18 must wait at least six months from the date they received their learner permit to schedule a road test.
About Online Vehicle Registration
For the first time ever, New Yorkers who live in counties with state-run DMV offices—New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Albany and Onondaga counties—can now register their vehicles online on the DMV website. This eliminates the need to visit a DMV office, making it safer and more convenient, and it allows the DMV to offer more appointments to customers needing transactions that must be completed in-person. The DMV is working with County Clerks who operate DMV offices in the remaining 51 counties to expand the online registration service statewide.
Before registering a vehicle, the customer must get it insured. Then, they can use the simple, step-by-step online registration tool to register a vehicle online.
Step 1: Use the DMV Document Guide to determine what documents are required
Step 2: Provide basic information about the registrant and the vehicle
Step 3: Attach documents by sending DMV a picture or scanning and uploading them
Step 4: Submit
Once a customer's application is submitted, they will receive a confirmation email. DMV will contact the customer when the exact fee has been determined to process their payment by credit card. The DMV website allows a customer to estimate their registration fees.
Once processed, the plates, registration sticker and temporary inspection sticker will be mailed to them. Once they have received their registration sticker and license plates, drivers must get their vehicles inspected.
The DMV will also provide an envelope so the customer can mail in their original paperwork. We recommend customers make a copy of their completed application and title to retain for their records. Once we receive the original documents, a new title will be mailed to the customer.
The online registration form can be used to register the following types of vehicles:
Cars
Motorcycles
Vans
Trucks
Trailers
Recreational vehicles (boats, snowmobiles, and ATVs)
Other Online Services
There are also more than 60 other online transactions available. Customers can renew or replace their registration, renew their driver license, obtain a driving record (abstract), change their address, and plead or pay New York City traffic tickets and associated fees online.
In-Person Services
In-office reservations are available for a limited number of in-person services that cannot be done online, by mail or drop box. Reservations are required for all in-person transactions.
The DMV recommends that all customers visit the DMV website and follow these tips, before coming to an office:
- Check available services. Customers should make sure the service they want is being offered. Available services for each office are listed on the office locations webpage.
- Gather required documents. Information on what documents are needed for each transaction can be found on the DMV website at dmv.ny.gov. Anyone planning to get a permit, a license or register a car for the first time should use our online document guides that allow customers to print a checklist of the documents they need.
On June 1, however, the state DMV began offering more than 60 transactions online, including:
· Select driver license services, such as renewing or replacing a license
· Vehicle transactions, such as renewing or replacing a registration
· Requests for DMV records, like crash reports or driving abstracts
· Address change
· Paying fines and fees for suspensions, civil penalties, driver responsibility assessments
· Pleading or paying New York City traffic tickets
To do a DMV transaction online, your computer must accept cookies. For example, if you set your browser to "tell sites I do not want to be tracked," you are disabling cookies and you may not be able to use DMV online services.
SECURE DROP BOXES
Since June 4, the DMV has been accepting transactions through secure drop boxes located at each office. When dropping off documents, customers must wear face coverings and only two customers will be allowed in at a time to access the drop box.
Customers should ensure their documents are filled out completely prior to bringing them to the DMV. All documents and instructions are available on www.dmv.ny.gov. Customer service representatives will not be available to assist with these transactions.
Customers will not be allowed to pick up their completed transactions. Once transactions are complete, a receipt, or license plates and registration documents, when applicable, will be returned to the customer by mail.
Customers who wish to register a vehicle should complete the DMV online registration checklist before mailing or dropping off their documents.
In addition to the above, these transactions offered via mail or drop box are:
- Vehicle registrations
- License plate transfers
- License plate surrenders
- License and registration renewals
- The replacement of lost documents and address changes
All driver licenses, non-driver identification cards and vehicle registrations that expired after March 1 and vehicle inspections that expired after March 31 will continue to be extended.
To print forms or complete transactions online, visit the New York State DMV website.
NON-DMV TRANSACTIONS
The DMV will also assist residents with the following transactions online:
· DMV electronic voter registration application
ROAD TESTS
Road tests and reservations for Class D (passenger cars) are not available at this time. That service will resume when New York City enters Phase 3 of the state’s reopening process.
Commercial driver license (CDL) road tests have begun. All road tests will be conducted with strict safety requirements in place. Road test examiners will wear gloves, face shields and have hand sanitizer, and customers must wear masks and be screened prior to beginning the test.
- Make a reservation. Appointments are required for any in-office visit. Customers can make a reservation to visit a state-run office at https://nysdmvqw.us.qmatic.cloud/naoa/index.jsp or by contacting their local DMV. To make sure transactions can be processed in the allotted reservation time and ensure social distancing, the DMV will only honor reservations for the service selected—other transactions will not be allowed.
