Is It Illegal To Move To NY And Not Switch Your Driver's License?

If a person moves to New York State, do they have to give up their driver's license from where they moved? So many people move to New York for school or a job and may not plan to stay for too long. Do those people need to get a New York driver's license?

New York State Driver’s Licenses Get Fresh Look, Security Updates

Before we get to the legal requirements for obtaining a New York Driver's license, let's take a look at the new licenses. New York State's Department of Motor Vehicles unveiled its new driver's license design. The new cards have enhanced security features incorporated into the cards. Anyone who applies for a new license or I.D. will receive one of the newly designed cards. The new security features are designed to prevent tampering and counterfeiting.

DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said,

At the DMV, we pride ourselves on providing secure identity documents to millions of New Yorkers and we introduce enhanced features every few years to stay at the cutting edge of emerging trends. We are confident in the security features on our current ID documents, however, the new security features on our redesigned documents will keep us one step ahead of potential counterfeiters.

NYS DMV

Do You Legally Have To Surrender Your Out-Of-State License If You Move To New York?

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It depends. If you are a student who has come to attend school in New York, you are generally not considered a New York State resident,

Students from other states, countries or nations who attend school in New York State are normally not considered residents of New York State, so they do not need to exchange their current driver license.

If you moved from another state and live in New York permanently, then yes, you will need to surrender your license,

If you move to New York State and become a resident 1, you must get a New York State driver license within 30 days.

OK, so you now realize that you need to get your New York driver's license, but how do you do it?

Here's How To Switch Your Out-Of-State Driver's License To New York

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There are some driver's licenses you cannot exchange for an NYS license. If you have any of the following, they can't be exchanged:

- If your license is suspended or revoked
- If your license is lost or stolen
- If you have a hardship or employment only driver's license
- If you have a license marked "non-renewable" or "non-transferable"

In order to exchange your license, you will need to:

- Pass a vision test
- Give up your out-of-state license
- Have proof of your identity

You can find more information here.

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Here's The Penalty For Getting Caught Driving While High In New York State

Before you decide to consume cannabis and then illegally drive under the influence in New York, you should know the real cost of your decision. Not only will you have to pay up in dollars, but you'll also pay with time, a hit to your license, and possibly injury or death.

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are pretty harsh in New York according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.