Larkin Bill Would Require Updated Driver's License Photos

William J. Larkin Jr.

June 12, 2006

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today announced legislation he sponsored (S.7143-A) to require that a DMV driver’s license have an updated photo done at least every eight years has passed the Senate.

New Yorkers must renew their driver’s licenses every eight years. Currently, the driver’s same photo can be carried over from renewal period to renewal period. The Larkin bill would at least mandate that a new photo be taken every time drivers renew their licenses or every eight years.

"Driver's licenses are now the nation's primary form of accepted identification," said Senator Larkin. "But many of the photo images being used on licenses are out of date, and may only minimally resemble the individual. Requiring an up-to-date photo on each New York State driver's license is one of the many simple measures that can be taken to make sure that a driver's license remain an accurate and indisputable form of identification."

The bill was sent to the Assembly.