The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles recently sent out a final notice to over 150,000 drivers notifying them that their licenses may be suspended. New Yorkers that received the letter from the DMV must submit new vision tests to the state.
Drivers who renewed their licenses between March 1st, 2020, and August 31st, 2021 completed a self-certification of their vision due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the self-certifying process, the DMV required that motorists submit vision exam results within a year of license renewal.
The notice mailed to over 150,000 drivers by the DMV says, “YOUR DRIVER LICENSE IS AT IMMINENT RISK OF SUSPENSION and you may lose your privilege to drive because you have not yet submitted your vision test result, which is required under New York State regulations.”
The final notice received by many New Yorkers does not state the deadline by which drivers have to submit their vision test but does state the day on which they renewed their license.
The DMV offers three ways for New York drivers to submit vision tests and avoid license suspension. Drivers can visit a DMV office with their vision test final notice letter and receive a vision screening. According to the DMV, staff members are trained to administer eye exams.
Drivers can also visit a DMV-approved provider for a vision test. The providers will send the results to the DMV. New Yorkers can find approved vision test locations on the DMV website, dmv.ny.gov.
New Yorkers can also receive vision tests from providers that are not enrolled in the DMV’s Vision Registry. After the test is administered, the provider will be required to complete a vision test report form (MV-619) on the DMV website, with the driver having to submit the report electronically or via mail to License Production Bureau, PO Box 2688-ESP, Albany, NY 12220-0668, Attn: Vision Registry.
Detailed instructions for New Yorkers on the submission of vision tests can be found at dmv.ny.gov/vision.
