New York State Department of Motor Vehicles


The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is the department of the New York state government responsible for vehicle registration, vehicle inspections, driver's licenses, learner’s permits, photo ID cards, and adjudicating traffic violations. Its regulations are compiled in of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations.

Administrative courts

The Traffic Violations Bureau is an administrative court that adjudicates non-criminal traffic violations in New York City.

Division of Field Investigation

The Division of Field Investigation is the criminal investigations arm of the DMV. Its investigators/law enforcement officers combat auto theft, identity theft, and fraudulent document related crimes in New York. These investigators are armed New York State peace officers with state wide authority to enforce laws and handle investigations. Motor Vehicle Investigators also perform fraud detection, investigate auto theft rings. Motor Vehicle Investigator's perform a variety of criminal investigations, field inspections, inventories of seized properties, odometer fraud, identity verification, fraudulent document detection, vehicle theft examinations.

Registration

The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law gives DMV the authority to suspend registrations for habitual and persistent violations of the law. In 2015-2016, the DMV enacted regulations allowing the suspensions of registration for people who fail to pay 5 road charge fines within 18 months.

Real ID Act

In order to travel on U.S. domestic flights or enter federal buildings, by October 1, 2020, state residents must possess a Real ID Act compliant identification card. The New York DMV is encouraging residents to arrange to upgrade their ID ahead of the deadline at the cost of a replacement ID. Currently, the fee to apply for or renew a REAL ID is the same as the fee for a standard New York State DMV license. State residents who are United States citizens can also apply for an Enhanced ID, which allows them to cross the border from Canada or Mexico, as well as some Caribbean countries, for an additional $30 fee. Under the Real ID Act, people applying for a Real ID compliant license must provide additional proof of their identity and residence. New Yorkers must apply for a REAL ID or Enhanced license by going into a DMV office and presenting the necessary documentation, even if they currently have a non-upgraded license. They may not apply online or by mail. The DMV has created a "Document Guide", a tool on its website that will tell people what documents they need to apply for a Real ID or Enhanced ID.

List of commissioners

*John Splain after period as Commissioner of Purchase for the City of New York, NY – 1943? In 1943 Thomas Dewey was Governor of NY, a Republican. John Splain was likely in the administration of only Democratic New York Governors. Those Governors are likely to have been either: Gov. Herbert H, Lehman, or, Gov. Charles Poletti, or Gov. W. Averell Harriman,. If someone knows please edit for accuracy. The preceding edit is per his eldest granddaughter's oral history as heard and written here by his eldest great-granddaughter.
Vacant 2014 – 2019