What's happening
This bill allows New Yorkers aged 75 or older to receive a prorated vehicle registration refund when they surrender their plates.
Why it matters
Helps older adults recoup unused registration fees, which can be significant for people on fixed or limited incomes. This change recognizes that seniors may stop driving for health or lifestyle reasons before their registration expires.
Reduces a financial disincentive to voluntarily surrender driving privileges. Seniors who choose to stop driving (for safety or other reasons) won’t lose money already paid for future registration time.
Streamlines the process by specifying clear eligibility (age 75 or older) and refund calculation (prorated by remaining full months, minus a $1 fee),. making it easier for both individuals and the DMV to process refunds fairly and consistently.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Refunds for Elderly Car Owners
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.
Refunds for Seniors Returning Plates
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Anthony H. Palumbo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3333
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 5, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- 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 providing a vehicle registration refund for persons seventy-five years of age or older who surrender their registration
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 428 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. Upon the surrender to the commissioner of the number plates or plate issued for a vehicle registered under the provisions of this chapter and the furnishing of proof satisfactory to the commissioner and the state comptroller that the owner of the vehicle is seventy-five years of age or older, and that the registration of such vehicle is in full effect, there shall be refunded to such owner a sum equal to as many twelfths of the fee paid for the registration of the vehicle as there are full calendar months in the registration year following the date of the receipt of the number plates or plate, less the sum of one dollar.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08377-01-9
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 providing a vehicle registration refund for persons seven- ty-five years of age or older who surrender their registration
Purpose
To give persons seventy five years or older a full refund when they surrender their vehicle registration.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends section 428 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new subdivision 2-a that would provide a senior, aged 75 or older, a refund for any unused portion of their registration upon surrendering their vehicle plates.
Justification
Present law provides that refunds are only given if there is more than a year left on a surrendered registration and such refund is only for the cost for one year. This legislation would require that seniors get a refund based on the number of months remaining on the surrendered regis- tration. If seniors who often live on fixed incomes make a determination that it is time to give up their automobile, they should get a full refund of the registration fee.
Legislative history
2017-18 S.3823/A.3324; 2015-16 S.4174/A.5826
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.