Requires the department of motor vehicles to automatically issue a non-driver identification card to persons aged sixty-two or older who have their driver's license revoked

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to non-driver identification cards for persons aged sixty-two years of age or older

Purpose

To require the Department of Motor Vehicles to automatically issue a non-driver identification card to persons aged sixty-two or older who have their driver's license revoked.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of this bill amends section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new subdivision 2-a, which states that when the department revokes the driver's license of a person aged sixty-two years of age or older, the department shall automatically issue such person a non-driver identification card.

Section 2 of this bill amends subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding "or whose driver's license has been revoked by the department" as cause for the department to issue an identification card without payment of any fee.

Section 3 of this bill states that this act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implement of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

Justification

When a senior citizen is unable to pass a driver's exam, their driver's license is revoked. This leaves he or she without a proper, current photo ID. Without such ID he or she may have difficulty obtaining medical care and/or performing other routine tasks that normally require one to show ID.

Despite a policy for issuing a non-driver ID to those New York State residents who have had a valid license within the last two years, some seniors have been told that in order to obtain a non-driver ID they would need to appear at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with documents that they may no longer even have in their possession, such as a birth certificate. This process causes undue hardship and frustrations for seniors.

This bill would require the DMV to automatically issue a non-driver identification card to persons sixty-two or older who have had their driver's license revoked. This bill would prevent seniors from having to make subsequent trips to the DMV or be required to show documentation they no longer have in their possession.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implement of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.