Requires the commissioner to update a licensee's photo image at least every eight years

1 Co-sponsor

• Michael H. Ranzenhofer

BILL NUMBER:S5571

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring the commissioner to update a licensee's photo image at least every eight years

Purpose

The purpose of this legislation is to require the updating of motor vehicle driver license photo images at least every eight years.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends § 502(6)(a) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding the following language: The Commissioner shall, at a minimum of every eight years, update a licensee's photo image and shall provide licensees with the option of submitting such photo image electronically in a manner prescribed by the commissioner at no additional cost to the licensee.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

Justification

Drivers' licenses must be renewed periodically as does vehicle registra- tions and numerous other licenses and certificates pursuant to the laws of this state. To this date, photographs and photographic images are not updated periodically, resulting in drivers frequently having photographs that may bear little or no resemblance to them. This legislation provides a remedy to that occurrence by requiring that photographs and photographic images must be updated at least every eight years in conjunction with driver license renewals.

A New York State drivers' license is a government identification docu- ment. As such, it is the basis for security and monetary clearances. It is essential that the license holder be properly identified and periodic photographs and photograph likenesses would do that. Furthermore, this legislation would not impose a financial burden or time expense upon the license holder since the commissioner must make an electronic means available to send the photograph to the New York State Division of Motor Vehicles. For all of the aforementioned reasons it is imperative that this bill is enacted.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that effec- tive immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the timely implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.