You can receive a partial refund of the 8-year driver license fee if you qualify. The maximum amount you can receive is 50% (four years) of the original 8-year driver license fee. The partial refund does not include the document fee of
$10.
You can qualify for a partial refund if:
- You have a NYS driver license that is valid for a period of eight years. You cannot get a refund if your driver license was issued for a period of less than eight years.
- You surrender your NYS driver license to NYSDMV or to another state during the first four years of the 8-year period.
- Your driver license is not suspended or revoked when you surrender the document.
- You did not exchange your driver license for a non-driver photo ID card.
To apply for a refund:
- You must apply for the refund no later than 51 months after the date your driver license was issued.
- Complete form MV-215 (Request for Refund of Fee Paid for Motor Vehicle Registrations and Driver Licenses). Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form.
- If you did not surrender your driver license, attach the driver license to form MV-215.
- If you exchanged your NYS driver license for a driver license in another state, attach a photocopy of the out-of-state driver license to form MV-215.
Examples of Partial Refunds
- Alice renewed her Class D NYS driver license on January 2, 2008 for a period of eight years. She paid a driver license fee of $40 and a document fee. She has now moved to another state. On June 16, 2011, she exchanges her NYS driver license for a driver license in the other state and applies for a refund. Alice is eligible for a refund of $20 because she surrendered her NYS driver license during the first four years of the 8-year period.
- Bill renewed his Class DM driver license on February 25, 2008 for a period of eight years. He paid a driver license fee of $48 and a document fee. On February 25, 2012, he surrenders his driver license. Bill is not eligible for a refund because he surrendered his driver license during the second four years of the 8-year period.
- Chuck renewed his Class A CDL on June 6, 2008 for a period of eight years. He paid a CDL fee of $120 and a document fee. On June 5, 2011, he surrenders his document and applies for a refund. Chuck is eligible for a refund of $60 because he surrendered his driver license during the first four years of the 8-year period.
- Dave renewed his Class D driver license on March 1, 2008 for a period of eight years. He paid a driver license fee of $40 and a document fee. He surrenders his driver license on February 10, 2012, but he does not apply for a refund until June 10, 2012. Dave is not eligible for a refund because he applied for a refund more than 51 months after the date the driver license was issued.
