BILL NUMBER: S4329A
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to authorizing the commissioner of motor vehicles to
enter into reciprocity agreements with other states, countries, prov-
inces or territories that issue driver licenses
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would allow the commissioner of motor vehicles to enter into
driver license reciprocity agreements.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: This bill allows New York State to enter into drivers'
license reciprocity agreements with other states, countries, provinces,
or territories.
Section 2: The parties will enter into an agreement for reciprocity in
issuing driver licenses to citizens from NYS residing in other states,
countries, provinces, or territories, as well as holders of valid driver
licenses lawfully residing in NYS from other states, countries, prov-
inces, or territories. Both parties will agree on the reciprocal
provision for issuance and skills. Both parties shall agree that a hold-
er of a valid, unexpired license of the state of New York residing in
the other states, countries, provinces, or territories, will be able to
exchange such license at a normal conversion fee, without being required
to pass the theoretical and practical test and vice versa. If the
license is expired, all tests will be required.
Section 3: Both parties shall agree on: 1. Each party shall provide
sample of driver licenses issued at time of the agreement and definition
of all classes of driver licenses, notations and restrictions. 2. This
agreement only applies to holders of unrestricted driver licenses aged
18 or older and shall not apply to applications for enhanced licenses,
real ID's or driver licenses for the operation of a commercial motor
vehicle or motorcycle. 3. The standards, rules and regulations shall be
the same as for any resident of the state of NY and/or the other state,
country, province, or territory.
Section 4: This agreement shall be signed by both the commissioner of
motor vehicles of NYS and an official with legal authority of the
respective state, country, province, or territory. It may be canceled or
revoked in writing by either party at any time and for any reason, with
three months' notice, provided that notification is sent to the address
provided by the parties in agreement.
Section 5: The commissioner of motor vehicles shall report to the gover-
nor, the temporary President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
Assembly within one year of enactment and annually thereafter.
Section 6: Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation would allow great flexibility for New Yorkers working
abroad who want to obtain drivers licenses in the countries they are
working in as will business people from other countries residing in New
York. For example - Currently, there are 38 states and territories - AL,
AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NV,
NJ, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VI, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY-
that have entered into such agreements with Taiwan. By entering into a
driver license reciprocity agreement, New York State's Department of
Transportation and the Republic of China (Taiwan), through the Ministry
of Transportation and Communications, would agree to recognize and
exchange valid driver's licenses issued by the other's jurisdiction. The
benefit for New York State for Taiwanese businessmen, researchers,
students and so on to get a New York State license would be the increase
of mobility in the State which in turn is a direct benefit to economic
development of New York State. The licensing and skill requirements
necessary to become licensed in each jurisdiction is comparable - ensur-
ing that Taiwanese license holders would meet the same rules and regu-
lations and high standards as New York driver license holders and vice
versa. Thus, guaranteeing the safety of our roadways.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S. 6649- A of 2022: Amended and Recommitted to Transportation;
S. 6649- A of 2021: Referred to Transportation;
S. 2951 of 2020: New Bill, Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.