What's happening
This bill prohibits requiring a social security number or card for driver's license renewal in New York.
Why it matters
Expands access to driver's license renewal. by removing the requirement to provide or have previously provided a social security number or card, which matters for undocumented immigrants, people with lost/misplaced SSN cards, and others who may not have ready access to this document.
Reduces personal data collection and privacy risks. since the state DMV would no longer collect or require social security numbers for license renewals, potentially lowering the risk of identity theft or data breaches involving this sensitive information.
May affect compliance with certain federal regulations. (such as Real ID requirements), which could impact the ability of New Yorkers to use state-issued licenses for federal identification purposes, depending on how federal agencies interpret the change.
Signals a policy shift toward more inclusive identification policies. in New York, which could set a precedent for other states considering similar measures and reflects ongoing debates over identification, privacy, and immigration status.
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Who cares
Drivers renewing New York licenses
They would no longer have to provide a Social Security number or show a Social Security card to renew an existing license.
Renewal applicants who never supplied Social Security information to DMV
The exemption would apply even if they had not provided a number or card in a previous transaction.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
The department would have to process license renewals without requiring applicants to provide a Social Security number or show a Social Security card.
Headline styles
No SSN Needed for Renewal
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4962
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2017
Introduced by Sen. DIAZ -- 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 certain requirements for renewing a driver's license
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. An applicant for renewal shall not be required to provide his or her social security number or show a social security card even if such number or card was not provided to the department in a previous transaction. 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 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07336-01-7
S. 4962 2
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 ninetieth 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 certain requirements for renewing a driver's license
Purpose or general idea of bill
Excludes a social security number or social security card from documentation required to be provided to renew an existing driver's license.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 502(6) (a). Provides that an applicant for renewal of a driver's license shall not be required to provide his or her social security number or show a social security card even if such number or card was not provided to the Department in a previous transaction.
Section 2. Effective Date
Existing law
Vehicle and Traffic Law; Article 19-Licensing of Drivers; Section 502 (6) (a) - Requirements for Licensing. Current statute does not expressly prohibit the requirement of an applicant to provide his or her social security number or show his or her social security card.
Justification
To reduce the constant worry having to provide a social security card and or information when renewing a driver's license as well as making the process a lot easier and faster.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.827- REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION 2015: S.827- REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION 2014: S.790 - Referred to Transportation 2013: S.790 - Referred to Transportation 2012: S.99 - Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs 2011: S.99 - Notice of Committee Consideration Requested, Committee Discharged and Committed to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs 2009-10: S.2179 - Referred to Transportation/A.329 - Referred to Transportation; Enacting Clause Stricken 2007-08: A.1729 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.