What's happening
This bill waives driver’s license renewal fees for United States veterans who served during a war and were honorably discharged.
Why it matters
Reduces financial barriers for war-time veterans. By waiving license renewal fees, the bill directly lowers ongoing costs for veterans who may be on fixed incomes or facing financial challenges after service.
Acknowledges and honors military service. The fee waiver serves as a tangible recognition of the sacrifices made by honorably discharged veterans, reinforcing societal gratitude and respect.
Defines eligible veterans narrowly. The benefit specifically applies to those who served during periods of war and were not dishonorably discharged, meaning peacetime veterans or those with other discharge statuses do not qualify—potentially impacting who receives support.
May streamline access to identification. A driver’s license is often used as a primary form of ID; easing renewals for eligible veterans can help them maintain access to services, employment, and benefits that require valid government identification.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Waive License Fees for Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
582
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- 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 licensure fees for veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section 503 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (v) to read as follows:
(v) The renewal fee for a license for any United States veteran shall be waived. The term veteran shall mean a person, male or female, who has served in the active military or naval service of the United States during a war in which the United States engaged, and who has been released from such service otherwise than by dishonorable discharge, or who has been furloughed to the reserve.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03820-01-9
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 licensure fees for veterans
Purpose
This bill waives the fees for the renewal of a New York State driver's license for any United States veteran.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 503 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding new subparagraph (v) to waive the fee of New York State driver's license renewal United States Veterans.
Section 2: Sets the effective date.
Justification
According to a 2014 State Department of Labor study, nearly 1 million New Yorkers are veterans. Statistically, veterans tend to be older, with 3 out of 4 having served in the military at least 25 years ago. There- fore, along with their status as veterans, many are also senior citi- zens, living on fixed incomes.
For veterans to receive the services they need, from mental health coun- seling to accessing one of the 96 Career Centers across New York State, a driver's license is a necessity. Especially in the Upstate region, where 57% of New York's veterans population resides, there is often a lack of access to reliable public transportation.
In New York, the cost of renewing a class D driver's license is $64.50, and increases in 12 of the downstate counties, which to many reentering civilian life, or those who rely on fixed incomes, is a major financial burden.
Adapting to civilian life is already extremely challenging for nearly all military personnel, from struggling to dealing with medical after- math of serving in the military, to finding a good-paying jobs. Even something that seems so small like alleviating the cost of license renewal fees can help veterans across New York State to get back on their feet, after honorably serving their county.
Legislative history
S.5188 of 2017-18
Fiscal implications
TBD.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.