S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
846
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
(PREFILED)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by Sens. GOUNARDES, HARCKHAM -- read twice and ordered print-
ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transporta-
tion
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring a
written exam upon renewal of a driver's license
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehi-
cle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 37 of the laws of 2019, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A license issued pursuant to subdivision five of this section
shall be valid until the expiration date contained thereon, unless such
license is suspended, revoked or cancelled. Such license may be renewed
by submission of an application for renewal, the fee prescribed by law,
proofs of prior licensing, fitness and acceptable vision prescribed by
the commissioner, the applicant's social security number or, in lieu
thereof, with respect to an application for a non-commercial driver's
license or learner's permit which does not meet federal standards for
identification, an affidavit signed by such applicant that they have not
been issued a social security number, and if required by the commission-
er, a photo image of the applicant in such numbers and form as the
commissioner shall prescribe. IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR RENEWAL TO PASS A WRITTEN EXAMINATION WITH
RESPECT TO THE LAWS RELATING TO TRAFFIC AND OTHER MATTERS AS THE COMMIS-
SIONER MAY PRESCRIBE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE SUBJECTS SET
FORTH IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROVIDE
FOR APPLICANTS TO COMPLETE SUCH EXAMINATION ONLINE OR IN PERSON. In
addition, an applicant for renewal of a license containing a hazardous
material endorsement shall pass an examination to retain such endorse-
ment. The commissioner shall, with respect to the renewal of a hazardous
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03436-01-1
S. 846 2
materials endorsement, comply with the requirements imposed upon states
by sections 383.141 and 1572.13 of title 49 of the code of federal regu-
lations. A renewal of such license shall be issued by the commissioner
upon approval of such application, except that no such license shall be
issued if its issuance would be inconsistent with the provisions of
section five hundred sixteen of this title, and except that the commis-
sioner may refuse to renew such license if the applicant is the holder
of a currently valid or renewable license to drive issued by another
state or foreign country unless the applicant surrenders such license.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.