What's happening
This bill requires the DMV to provide free, unofficial, non-certified driving records online for informational purposes only.
Why it matters
Easier Access to Personal Driving Records. By allowing anyone with valid license or ID information to view their unofficial driving record online for free, this bill empowers individuals to monitor their status, correct possible errors, and be proactive about issues like points or suspensions.
Privacy and Security Considerations. The requirement to input information from the most recent license, permit, or ID helps ensure that only the authorized person can access their record, balancing openness with privacy.
Distinction Between Official and Unofficial Records. By making it clear that these online records are unofficial and lack certification, signatures, or watermarks, the law prevents their use in formal legal or employment situations, reducing the risk of fraud or misuse.
Potential for Reduced Administrative Burden. With more people able to check their status online, the DMV may receive fewer in-person or phone requests for driving records, potentially freeing up resources and reducing wait times for other services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Online Driving Records
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- 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.
Free Online Driving Records
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 5076 A. 6398
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
March 7, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to unofficial and non-certified driving records
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 224-b to read as follows:
§ 224-b. Unofficial and non-certified driving records. The department shall maintain and make available on its website, unofficial and noncertified driving records for informational purposes only. Such records shall clearly state that such driving records are for informational purposes only and shall not include any of the following: certification statement; signature of the commissioner; or security watermark. Access to such records shall require the input of information from his or her most recent New York state driver's license, learner's permit or nondriver identification. There shall be no fee charged by the department for the access of such unofficial and non-certified driving records.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09914-01-7
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 unofficial and non-certified driving records
Purpose
To provide that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles maintain and make available on its website, unofficial and non-certified driving records for informational purposes only free of charge.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new Section 224-b relating to unofficial and non-certified driving records.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
A requestor may have their individual driving records (abstracts) issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in one of three ways: 1) on-line through "MyDMV" with an associated fee of $7.00; 2) by mail with an associated fee of $10.00; or through a local DMV office or the DMV customer service counter in Albany for a fee of $10.00. There is no difference between an abstract ordered online, by mail, or at an office. They are certified DMV records which include a certification statement and the signature of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, as well as the same security watermark.
In some cases, however, an official document is not actually necessary if only for informational purposes. This legislation would require the DMV to maintain and make available on its website a way to access unofficial and non-certified driving records on their website that are for informational purposes only free of charge. Such records shall clearly state that such driving records are for informational purposes only and shall not include any of the authentic markings featured on the certified abstracts. Access to unofficial and non-certified driving records would require the input of information from a requestor's most recent New York State driver's license, learner permit or non-driver ID.
Legislative history
2017: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the 120th day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective ate are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.