New York State Adventure License

Your NYS Driver License can be converted into all-purpose boating, fishing, hunting, and parks ID card by purchasing a lifetime recreation or sporting license. The easy-to-use Adventure License makes your life easier and allows you to embark on your New York State outdoor adventure. The DMV has partnered with the DEC and NYS Parks to provide a convenient service for purchasers of DEC-issued Lifetime Sporting Licenses and Parks-issued Lifetime Empire Passport and Boater Safety Certificates. Your NYS DMV-issued photo ID can now prove that you have a new NYS Adventure License.

Eligibility

Anyone with the following qualifications is eligible for an NYS Adventure License:
  • Lifetime sporting license from the DEC
  • Boater safety certificate issued by NYS Parks
  • The Empire State Passport is a lifetime pass issued by the New York State Parks.

Available Privileges

  • The rights granted by a lifetime license are the same as those granted by an annual license. Except for lifetime sportsman license holders, lifetime licensees must still purchase separate privileges such as turkey permits and deer management permits.
  • Lifetime licenses for privileges purchased in New York State will remain valid regardless of residency change.
The following licenses are only available to residents of New York State.

Lifetime (Hunting & Fishing)

Combination hunting license, fishing license, and turkey permit allow you to hunt big game and small game (including turkey) and fish for freshwater fish species and baitfish.

Lifetime Hunting

During the appropriate seasons, hunt both big game and small game.

Lifetime Bowhunting

Only big games (deer and bear) can be hunted with a bow during the special bowhunting season.

Lifetime Trapping

Set traps for specific species during their season of occurrence.

Lifetime Muzzleloading

During the special muzzleloading season, you can hunt big game (deer and bear) with a muzzleloading firearm.

Lifetime Fishing

During the appropriate seasons, catch freshwater fish species.

Boating Safety Certificate

Make it easier to continue the tradition of boating safely if you enjoy spending time on New York's waterways. Suppose you have completed an approved safe boating course and received your NY Safe Boating Certificate. In that case, you can choose to reflect your certification on your NYS Driver License, Non-Driver ID, or Learner Permit as a small anchor icon by following a few simple steps. This DMV designation eliminates the need to keep your boating safety certificate on hand while boating.

Lifetime Empire Passport (Parks)

Take advantage of the state parks for many years to come! Visit the forests, beaches, lakefronts, and more...every day, if you like, throughout all four seasons in New York. As an added convenience, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will display this lifetime benefit as a small maple leaf icon on your NYS Driver License, Non-Driver ID, or Learner Permit.

How Can You Get NYS Adventure License

According to New York, the New York Adventure License is "a way for holders of a New York State-issued photo document (driver license, learner permit, or non-driver identification card) to have any of the various lifetime sporting/recreational licenses, privileges, or certifications you have purchased from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks and Historic Preservation (Parks) added to your DMV-issued photo document." Icons at the bottom of your photo document can indicate that you have obtained or completed specific licenses, privileges, and certifications. Sportsman, Boating Safety, Small/Big Game, Fishing, Bow Hunting, Muzzle Loading, Trapping, and the Empire Passport are among them.

How To Purchase

  • Adults (ages 16 and up) can purchase lifetime licenses online through the sporting license sales system or at any license issuing agent location.
  • The processing time for a lifetime license purchased over the phone is at least two weeks. When buying one during peak hunting and fishing seasons, for holidays, or as a special occasion gift (birthdays, graduations, etc.), please keep this in mind.
  • Following the initial purchase, appropriate tags and any special applications will be mailed to lifetime licenses annually.
  • There will be no refunds for lifetime license fees under any circumstances.
  • The purchase of a lifetime license contributes to New York State's Fish and Game Trust Fund. Only the interest from this fund is transferred to the State's Conservation Fund, which is managed by the Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) and is dedicated to the support and promotion of fishing, hunting, and trapping.

Requirements

Lifetime licenses are only available to New York State residents who have lived in the state for at least one year before the application date (proof required). Applicants for lifetime licenses must provide the same proof of residency, eligibility, and age as those applying for annual licenses. The customer will receive appropriate tags for the season and license type at the time of purchase with the original lifetime license purchase.

Lifetime License Transfers

Lifetime sporting licenses may be transferred to a qualifying relative who is a New York State resident if the lifetime license holder dies within one year of purchasing the license or serving in the United States military during the war. A qualifying relative can be the license holder's parent, sibling, child, or spouse. Licenses must have been issued on or after January 15, 2008. Call the DEC's License Sales Unit at 518-402-8843 for more information on requests and copies of supporting documents for applying for a Lifetime License Transfer.

Fees

When you buy a lifetime sporting license or complete your boating safety certification training, you can have these "Adventure" icons added to your NY State Driver's License and non-driver ID. You can get your new DMV ID right away for a fee of $12.50 for a driver's license and $5.00 for a non-driver ID, or you can wait until your next license renewal, which is free. If you purchase a Lifetime Empire Passport, you will receive a new license at no additional cost.