Approximately 44,000 drivers in New York had their licenses suspended as of December 1, as a result of failing to get an eye test for their licenses. These suspensions are the consequence of pandemic-era measures that allowed people to renew their licenses without getting the normally mandatory eye exam. This means that tens of thousands of New Yorkers may be driving around with suspended licenses, potentially without realizing it.
Hundreds of Thousands Renewed Licenses Without Getting Eye Exams
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), more than 500,000 people across New York took advantage of pandemic-era measures that allowed people to renew their licenses without needing an eye exam. Instead, they were allowed to “self-certify” that they met the normal vision requirements, provided their license was set to expire between March 2020 and August 2021. This allowed them to continue driving so long as these measures remained in place.
As Pandemic Measures Ended, Requirements Were Reinstated
As the world returned to normalcy, measures like the one that allowed people to renew without eye exams expired. The DMV put a final deadline for people to come to offices to have their eyes examined on November 26, making sure to send out emails and put up a public notice to ensure as many people as possible complied. Ultimately, the vast majority would comply, with more than 400,000 getting their mandatory eye exams by April of this year.
Tens of Thousands Have Licenses Suspended
Unfortunately, around 44,000 people did not get their eyes examined by the deadline, resulting in them getting suspended licenses. This suspension officially went into effect on December 1, meaning there may still be some people driving around who do not yet know they are driving on suspended licenses. People who drive on a suspended license face potential legal penalties, including fines between $200 and $500, along with up to 30 days in jail. Plus, a conviction of Driving with a Suspended license is a misdemeanor, a crime.
What You Should Do if it Happened to You
If you are one of the people whose license was suspended due to missing this deadline, or for any other reason, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling traffic and criminal law issues. They can help walk you through your potential options and get you the best possible outcome for your case. We can help you. The sooner you call us, the sooner they can get to work for you.
If you or someone you know is dealing with a traffic ticket or other traffic law issue, you will need legal counsel to help you preserve your rights and work to get the best possible outcome for your matter. A New York traffic law attorney who is experienced in handling traffic cases of all sorts, can advise you of your legal rights and will fight for your best interests in court. If you or your loved one has been arrested, contact the Suffolk County traffic lawyers at McGuire, Peláez and Bennett at (631) 348-1702.
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