What's happening
This bill requires all applicants to submit an updated photo when renewing a New York driver's license.
Why it matters
Ensures up-to-date identification. Requiring an updated photo at every license renewal helps keep driver identification accurate, reflecting changes in the license holder’s appearance over time, which can aid law enforcement and other agencies in verifying identity.
Reduces potential for identity fraud. By mandating a new photo each renewal, the bill closes a loophole that could allow people to use old, outdated images—making it harder for someone to use another person’s license or for license holders to conceal changes in appearance.
May impact convenience and cost. License renewals could become less convenient, especially for those accustomed to renewing online or by mail without submitting a new photo. This change might also result in increased administrative costs or require additional trips to the DMV for applicants.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require New License Photos
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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.
Require New License Photos
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2549
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. JORDAN -- 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 an updated photo for the renewal of 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. 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 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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01208-01-9
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 an updated photo for the renewal of a driver's license
Purpose
To have an updated photo on a driver's license every eight years with the renewal of the license.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law to require a photo image be taken with the renewal of a driver's license.
Section 2 states the effective date.
Justification
New York State, along with only one other State, Nevada, does not require a new driver's license photo to be taken upon the renewal of a license. The purpose of a photo on a license is to allow for positive identification. When the photo of an individual is outdated and no long- er resembles the current appearance of that individual, positive iden- tification is very difficult. Requiring a new photo to be taken with the renewal of a driver's license every eight years, will help to prevent fraud and identity theft and will increase overall public safety.
Legislative history
S.183 of 2017 - Passed Senate
S.4236 of 2015 - Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Ninety days after this shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.