What's happening
This bill requires the DMV to waive extra fees for enhanced driver's licenses if requested within 30 days of a standard license issuance.
Why it matters
Reduces financial barriers. for New Yorkers who decide soon after getting a standard license that they need an enhanced license (useful for border crossings and federal ID requirements), making the switch more affordable within a short window.
Encourages early decision-making. by giving residents a 30-day period after receiving a standard license to upgrade without extra fees, potentially increasing the adoption of enhanced licenses.
Aligns with federal ID requirements. (like REAL ID for airport security), making it easier and cheaper for residents to comply if they initially chose the wrong type of license.
Specifically targets the "additional fee". for enhanced licenses, meaning applicants still pay the base fee but are spared the surcharge if upgrading soon after receiving a standard license, which could save applicants significant money and administrative hassle.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Waive Enhanced License Fees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3178
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2019
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 waiving certain fees associated with the issuance of an enhanced driver's license
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 503 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 548 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
3. Waiver of fee. (a) The commissioner may waive the payment of fees required by subdivision two of this section if the applicant:
(i) is an inmate in an institution under the jurisdiction of a state department or agency, or
(ii) is a victim of crime and the driver's license or learner's permit applied for is a replacement for one that was lost or destroyed as a result of the crime.
(b) The commissioner shall waive any additional fee associated with the request for an enhanced driver's license if such request is made within thirty days of the issuance or reissuance of a standard driver's license. For purposes of this paragraph, "additional fee" shall mean any fee in excess of the standard fee assessed for such enhanced driver's license.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09197-01-9
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 waiving certain fees associated with the issuance of an enhanced driver's license
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill relates to waiving certain fees associated with the issuance of an enhanced driver's license
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of this bill amends subdivision 3 of section 503 of the vehicle and traffic law to waive any additional fee associated with the request for an enhanced driver's license if such request is made within thirty days of the issuance of reissuance of a standard driver's license.
Section two is the effective date.
Justification
This bill would allow a person to upgrade to and enhanced drivers with- out paying an additional fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). For example, when someone goes to DMV to get a standard driver's license they may not know until after the fact, that they have the option to upgrade to an enhanced license which requires more stringent documenta- tion. The 30 day window allows residents to obtain the proper documenta- tion that is required in order to get an enhanced license thus waiving any additional fees associated with the upgrade above the standard cost of the enhanced license. This bill ensures that any fee associated with upgrading to such license is exempt when it is done within 30 days after a standard license has been issued.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.8280 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth 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.