Other License Info

I recently renewed my New York driver license for eight years, but now I'm moving out of state. Am I entitled to a refund of some of my renewal fees?

Indeed you are. The Department of Motor Vehicles will issue up to a 50% refund of the eight-year driver license fee (not including the $10 document fee) to those who qualify. You must turn in your license within four years of renewal and apply for the refund no more than 51 months after the license was issued. See the DMV's related information page for details.

I'm married/divorced/reinventing myself. How can I change my name on my driver license?

Appear at a local DMV office with your current license or ID and a marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or other court document proving your new name. You may also present other proof of identity totaling six points to prove either your old or your new name.

Fill out Form MV-44, pay $10 for a new license or $5 for a new ID card, and check your mail in about four weeks for the new document. Read more about how to change your name, including how to do so on vehicle registration documents.

Cell phones while driving: yea or nay?

Nay. It is illegal in New York to drive while talking on a cell phone unless you are using a hands-free device or calling 911 or another emergency service. If a police officer sees you holding a cell phone anywhere near your ear, you could get a ticket and a fine totaling $150. The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee has released a publication entitled Cell Phones on the Road that goes into detail about this law, the reasons for it, and tips for safe cell phone use.

I know I'm required by law to use child safety restraints while driving, and boy, do my kids need to be restrained. Can I use duct tape?

As much as you'd like to quiet down the little darlings, no, the law is quite specific about child safety restraints. Remember that they are intended to keep your child safe in case of an accident more than they are intended to keep your child from tearing the car apart.

All children under four years old must ride in a safety seat, and all children age four, five, and six must ride in child restraint systems. Use the seat or restraint system that the manufacturer says is appropriate for the height and weight of your child.

The DMV offers additional information about seatbelt and child safety restraint requirements; the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee has also compiled extensive information about child safety seats.

Do I need a special driver license to drive an ATV?

You don't even need a regular driver license to drive an all-terrain vehicle. However, those under 16 have some restrictions. Children 15 and under may drive an ATV only with adult supervision, or without adult supervision on property their parent or guardian owns or rents. Children age 10 to 15 may also drive an ATV without adult supervision on other property where ATV use is permitted if they have completed an ATV safety training course approved by the DMV. Such drivers must carry their course certificate with them when they drive.

Check out the DMV's information page for comprehensive information about driving and owning an ATV.

What's an international driving permit?

It's a document from your home country verifying that you have a valid driver license there. While you may drive in New York with a foreign license and aren't required to have an international driving permit, such a permit will include your name, photo, and driver information translated into 11 languages (including English), which might be helpful in case a police officer, for example, can't read the language on your foreign license.

If you have a New York license and plan to drive while abroad, it may help to have an international driving permit issued in the United States. Contact the American Automobile Association (AAA), not the DMV, for an international driving permit. More information is available regarding drivers from other nations.