What's happening
This bill requires applicants renewing a New York driver's license to complete and pass a vision test or submit medical certification of adequate vision.
Why it matters
Requires in-person or certified proof of vision for all license renewals. , closing previous loopholes where some renewals (such as online/by mail) did not require updated proof of vision—potentially reducing the risk of drivers with uncorrected vision impairments.
Allows flexibility in how applicants can demonstrate acceptable vision. , either by passing a state-administered vision test or by submitting certification from a range of medical professionals (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, optometrists, or opticians), making compliance easier for those with ongoing eye care.
May increase administrative steps for license renewal. , as applicants will need to plan for a vision test or obtain certification before renewing, possibly impacting those who are accustomed to a more streamlined renewal process, especially individuals with mobility or access challenges.
Aims to enhance road safety by ensuring all licensed drivers meet minimum vision standards. , addressing concerns about aging drivers and the growing number of renewals not requiring updated medical checks.
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Who cares
Drivers renewing New York licenses
They would have to pass a vision test administered by the motor vehicle commissioner or an agent, or submit a signed certification of adequate vision from an authorized provider.
Department of Motor Vehicles
The commissioner would oversee the vision-testing requirement and set the standard for adequate vision to operate a motor vehicle.
Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, optometrists and opticians
They could sign certifications attesting that renewal applicants meet the commissioner's vision standard.
Headline styles
Require Vision Test for License
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1211
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1450
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Vision Test for Renewal
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3542
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring applicants for the renewal of a driver's license to complete a vision test
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 3 of part K of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
(a) A license issued pursuant to subdivision five of this section shall be valid until the expiration date contained thereon, unless such license is suspended, revoked or cancelled. Such license may be renewed by submission of an application for renewal, the fee prescribed by law, proofs of prior licensing, fitness and acceptable vision prescribed by the commissioner, the applicant's social security number, and if required by the commissioner a photo image of the applicant in such numbers and form as the commissioner shall prescribe. Such proof of acceptable vision shall require the applicant to pass a vision test administered by the commissioner or his or her agent, or to submit a certification, signed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, optometrist or optician, attesting that the applicant has adequate vision to operate a motor vehicle as determined by the commissioner. In addition, an applicant for renewal of a license containing a hazardous material endorsement shall pass an examination to retain such endorsement. The commissioner shall, with respect to the renewal of a hazardous materials endorsement, comply with the requirements imposed upon states by sections 383.141 and 1572.13 of title 49 of the code of federal regulations. A renewal of such license shall be issued by the commissioner upon approval of such application, except that no such license shall be issued if its issuance would be inconsistent with the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02360-01-7
S. 3542 2
provisions of section five hundred sixteen of this title, and except that the commissioner may refuse to renew such license if the applicant is the holder of a currently valid or renewable license to drive issued by another state or foreign country unless the applicant surrenders such license.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring applicants for the renewal of a driver's license to complete a vision test
Purpose
To require applicants for the renewal of a driver's license to submit proof of acceptable vision to operate a motor vehicle.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 3 of part K of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009.
Justification
This bill would codify New York State Department of Motor Vehicles poli- cy to require people applying to renew their driver's license to certify that they have adequate vision that would allow them to properly operate a motor vehicle.
New York State has over 11 million licensed drivers on the road. If two percent of those drivers failed an eye exam, that would translate into hundreds of thousands of seeing impaired drivers on our roads statewide.
This bill will ensure an atmosphere that is safe for our motorists. It is a common sense measure that will work to achieve those ends.
Such proof of acceptable vision shall require the applicant either to take a vision test administered at a DMV office or submit a certif- ication signed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, optometrist or optician attesting that the applicant has adequate vision to operate a motor vehicle.
Legislative history
2017:S.3542- Passed Senate/A.6544- Referred to Transportation 2016:Sa2851- Passed Senate 2015:S.2851- Passed Senate 2014.S.4140- Passed Senate/A.6172 Referred to Transportation 2012:S.5904- Referred to Transportation / A.8803 Referred to Transporta- tion 2011:S.5904- Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.