DMV, Drivers, Vehicles, Titles, REAL ID

New York DMV Records

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New York driver and vehicle records are kept by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and they are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA, 18 U.S.C. § 2721). This page links to the New York DMV and the federal rules governing access.

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New York DMV Records at a Glance

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles issues driver licenses and keeps driving records. The DMV also titles and registers vehicles.

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New York DMV Resources

Direct New York official government links to driver license and registration resources. Vehicle registration, tags, driving history, online forms, office locations, and hours.

New Drivers - First Driver LicenseJunior Drivers / Graduated LicensingDrivers Who Move to NYSMotorcycle LicensesInternational Driving Permits informationGeneral Information About Driver LicensesNew York State Photo Driver License or Non-Driver Photo Identification CardRegister a VehicleRenew a Vehicle RegistrationTransfer Vehicle OwnershipTitle/Lien Status CheckRegister an Out-of-State VehicleVehicle Owners information and linksDepartment of Motor VehiclesDriver's Manual on-lineMotorcycle Operator's ManualNYS Commercial Driver's Manual (PDF) in English and SpanishRenew a Vehicle RegistrationReplace a Registration DocumentReplace a Title CertificateRenew a Driver LicenseRequest Your Abstract of Driving RecordChange Your AddressSurrender Your Vehicle PlatesComplaints About Repair Shops or Automobile DealersInformation about Traffic TicketsOn-Line ServicesNYS commercial driver license (CDL)How to Contact or Visit the DMVDMV RecordsTelephone ServicesFind answers form the DMV Customer Service internet office

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Federal & National Authoritative Sources

Straight answers

New York DMV Records, questions

Can anyone pull my driving record?

No. The federal DPPA restricts access to 14 permitted purposes. Your employer, insurer, and courts can, with appropriate justification; random strangers cannot.

What is REAL ID and do I need one?

REAL ID is a federal standard for state IDs. After the enforcement deadline, a REAL-ID-compliant license or an alternative (passport, military ID) is required to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. A standard license still works for driving.

How do I check vehicle recalls?

NHTSA's VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls returns every open safety recall for your specific vehicle, free.

Who issues crash reports?

In New York, the agency that worked the crash writes the report, whether the New York State Police, a county sheriff or a city police department. The DMV sells copies of crash reports by mail with form MV-198C; in New York City, the NYPD precinct where the crash happened also gives copies.