What's happening
This bill allows individuals with sincere religious beliefs to obtain a driver's license or permit without a photograph, but such licenses cannot be used for age verification.
Why it matters
Addresses religious freedom. The bill recognizes and protects individuals whose religious beliefs prohibit them from being photographed, ensuring that state requirements for driver's licenses and permits do not force people to violate their faith.
Access to driving and mobility. By allowing a no-photo option for those with qualifying religious beliefs, the bill helps these individuals maintain the ability to drive legally—crucial for work, family, and daily life—without compromising their convictions.
Limits on identification use. Licenses or permits issued without a photograph cannot be used to prove age for activities like entering bars or buying age-restricted products, which could affect how individuals use their license for non-driving purposes and may require them to find alternative forms of age verification.
Potential impact on security and verification. The exemption could create challenges for law enforcement or businesses that rely on photo IDs for identity verification, potentially raising concerns about fraud prevention and public safety.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Religious Photo Exemption
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
301
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. OBERACKER, BORRELLO -- 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 religious exemption for the requirement to have a photograph taken for a driver's license or learner's permit
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 507 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. Photograph religious exemption. A person shall not be required to have their photograph taken for a driver's license or learner's permit when such person holds genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to having a photograph taken; provided, however, that licenses issued without a photograph pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used for proof of age required for entry to an establishment or purchase of age-restricted products.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01116-01-5
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 religious exemption for the requirement to have a photograph taken for a driver's license or learner's permit
Purpose
To amend section 507 of the vehicle and traffic law to allow a religious photograph exemption.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - Amends the vehicle and traffic law to allow an exemption for individuals who hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs from having a photograph taken when applying for a driver's license or permit.
Section 2 - States the effective date.
Existing law
Currently, New York State requires driver's license or permit applicants to have a photograph taken without exemption.
Justification
Some in New York State, who hold a genuine and sincere religious belief that prevents them from being photographed; a requirement to obtain a driver's license or permit. In today's society, the ability to drive and travel freely is a necessity for everyday life, particularly in upstate New York. By not offering a religious exemption, the state is unjustly depriving them of an essential privilege. The exemption would not allow such an ID to be used for age-restricted products, such as alcohol or tobacco.
Legislative history
S1162
S.5365/A.6702 of 2021-2022 Referred to Transportation
S.4094/A.6555 of 2019-2020 Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.