License Reinstatment NY
If you've lost your driving privileges in New York, you may have to go through a lengthy legal process to reclaim your license.
Suspended License in New York
A suspension means that your driver's license or privilege will be taken away before being reinstated. You may have to pay a suspension termination fee. The suspension period can be definite (with a start and end date) or indefinite (which means it will continue until you take the required action).
Definite Suspension
If you receive a definite suspension order, it will specify the length of the suspension. You won't be able to drive until the suspension period is over, a suspension termination fee is paid, and your driver's license is valid.
Indefinite Suspension
If you get an indefinite suspension order, it will tell you what you need to do to get it lifted, such as respond to a traffic ticket, pay a traffic ticket fine, or file a traffic accident report.
Revoked License in New York
When your license is revoked, your driving privilege has been taken away completely, and you must begin the license application process all over again when the revocation period expires. When the revocation period is over, you must usually request approval from the DMV before getting a new license. You may have to retake the written and driving tests and pay a license application fee. If you have a high-risk driving record or fail to meet DMV requirements, your application may be denied. Before your license or driving privilege can be restored, you may pay a driver's civil penalty.
Common reasons for revocations are:
- You operated or permitted the operation of a vehicle without insurance.
- You were involved in an uninsured motor vehicle accident.
- You were convicted of an alcohol or drugged driving charge.
- You were convicted of a serious traffic offense or multiple offenses.
- You failed a DMV road test.
- You made a false statement on an application for a license or registration.
- You were a driver in a fatal motor vehicle crash.
The Driver's License Restoration Process
The process for restoring your license will differ depending on why it was revoked in the first place. According to the New York State Department of Motor, many motorists whose licenses have been revoked will need to get approval from the DMV's Driver Improvement Unit (
DIU) before they can go to the DMV and apply for a new license Vehicles.
The
Driver Improvement Unit will carefully examine your entire driving record to determine whether or not a restoration of your license is appropriate.
Although some motorists with particularly complicated driving records may need to submit a written request to the DIU to get their license back, you can request DIU approval of a restored license online. When you submit an online request, the system will automatically determine whether you are eligible. If you are not eligible to submit your request online, you will be given instructions on how to proceed. Drivers who have been in an accident without insurance, for example, will not be able to make an online request.
When you submit an online request to the DIU, you may be granted immediate permission to reapply for a license. It could take up to 12 weeks to receive a response if you submit a mail-in request.
One of the requirements for restoring your driver's license is approval from DIU. You must also clear any suspensions on your license, pay any outstanding fines for traffic violations, and pay any required restoration fees.
Not everyone will be eligible for a license restoration via mail or the internet. If you have three or more serious violations and any other moving violations in 25 years, your license may be permanently revoked. Because states share information about driving records, if your license is permanently revoked in New York or any other state, you will be unable to obtain a license anywhere in the United States.
New York State Step-By-Step Process of License Restoration
If you have had your New York driver's license revoked, you can apply for a new one once the revocation period has ended. Unfortunately, if you are unfamiliar with the procedure, you may make errors that cause significant delays.
Step 1: Verify Your Insurance Status
You may receive an "inquiry letter" from the NY DMV asking you to verify your insurance status before you receive a notice informing you of the revocation of your license. The DMV typically sends this after receiving a police report indicating that you were driving without insurance during a traffic stop or accident. You'll have to show that you were covered by liability insurance at the time. If you cannot do so, the DMV will send you a notice notifying you that your license has been revoked.
Step 2: Wait For The End of the Revocation Period
When the DMV revokes your driver's license, it effectively cancels it; you'll have to wait until the revocation period expires before applying for a new one. At the end of the revocation period, you should be able to apply for a new license easily. However, if the DMV has evidence that you were in an accident while driving without insurance or if you have a particularly high-risk driving record, you may find it difficult to obtain a new license.
Step 3: Pay For Civil Penalty Fee
The DMV will also charge you a civil penalty fee of
$750 if your license is revoked; this fee applies to drivers who have been convicted of operating or being involved in a motor vehicle while uninsured.
Online
- Visit the NY DMV Insurance Lapse Civil Penalty site and enter your DMV ID number from your NYS driver's license and the last four digits of your Social Security number to pay your civil penalty online. The fee can be paid with a credit or debit card.
- If your vehicle registration was suspended due to an insurance lapse or your license was revoked due to an uninsured accident, you will not be able to pay the civil penalty fee online. You'll be required to pay a civil penalty fee by mail.
By Mail
- For both a conviction of driving uninsured and an uninsured accident, you can pay the civil penalty by mail by sending a check or money order (made payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles") to:
Insurance Services Bureau NYS DMV
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 332B
Albany, NY 12228 (518) 474-0700
By Phone
- You can also pay by phone or in person at a DMV office, but the New York DMV advises against it due to the long wait times. You can pay your civil penalty by phone or at the DMV office listed on your revocation order.
Step 4: Request Approval From DIU
The next step in restoring your license is submitting a request to the DMV DIU for approval, which you must do after the revocation period. Before you apply for approval, double-check that your license hasn't been suspended in addition to being revoked. By logging into your MyDMV account and using the MyLicense service, you can see if your license has been suspended. Any outstanding fines from traffic tickets should also be paid. You must pay a $100 re-application fee when requesting approval to apply for a new NYC license.
If you were in an accident while uninsured, you would not be able to request approval online. In that case, you must submit your request to the DIU in writing. Send a check or money order along with the completed MV-44 form and the re-application fee. Make sure your revocation period ends in 30 days or less before mailing your request. Your request may take up to 12 weeks to be processed by the DIU.
Step 5: Apply For A New License
You can apply for a new driver's license after paying the civil penalty fee and receiving approval. Check with your local DMV to see if you need to pass a written and road test to get a new license. Before applying for a new driver's license, you should get car insurance. Due to the revocation of your license, you may be unable to find insurance on the voluntary market.
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