BILL NUMBER: S6887

SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to eliminating
noting an address change on driver licenses and non-driver identifica-
tion cards

1.  
PURPOSE:

This bill would eliminate the requirement that a person write a change
of address on the back of his or her driver license or non-driver iden-
tification document ("NDID").

2.  
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill would amend Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) § 492(3)
to eliminate the requirement that a person record a change of address on
the NDID.

Section 2 of the bill would amend VTL § 505(5) to eliminate the require-
              

ment that a person record a change of address on the driver license.

The bill would take effect immediately.

3.  
EXISTING LAW:

Currently, a person must record a change of address on the back of his
or her driver license or NDID in addition to notifying the Commissioner
of Motor Vehicles in writing within 10 days after a change of residence
occurs.

4.  
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

These amendments were approved for introduction and introduced in 2013
by A.9914/S.7272. On June 19, 2014, the bill passed the Senate, was
delivered to the Assembly, and referred to transportation.

5.  
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT:

Photo IDs have limited surface area and incorporate many pieces of
information. Modern technology and access to electronic records make it
easier for agencies and law enforcement to look up a person's current
address. Likewise, customer submissions for a change of address can be
nearly instantaneous via use of an online transaction.  The requirement
that licensees note a change of residence on their license or ND1D in
the place provided is impractical since the surface material of license
documents makes writing on them difficult.

Eliminating this requirement would free up precious space on licenses
and NDIDs. DMV is required to record a large and ever-increasing amount
of information on driver licenses, including data regarding the many
types of driver license endorsements and restrictions for commercial and
noncommercial licensees, and information pertaining to Real ID or
Enhanced ID, organ donor status, and veteran status. Elimination of this
requirement will facilitate DMV's fulfillment of legal, administrative
and law enforcement mandates and needs regarding data elements that
today's licenses and NDIDs are called upon to satisfy.
6.  
POSSIBLE OBJECTIONS:

None known.

7.  
OTHER STATE AGENCIES INTERESTED:

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is interested in this
bill, a copy of which has been sent.

8.  
KNOWN POSITION OF OTHERS:

Unknown.

9.  
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

None.

10.  
LOCAL IMPACT:

None.