Cuomo extends expiration date for driver’s licenses

MILLBROOK — Governor Andrew Cuomo shared good news with New York drivers on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

“Driver’s license expiration dates have been pushed back to Jan. 1, 2021. If you have a New York State Driver’s License or permit with an expiration date after March 1, 2020, it is still valid until Jan. 1, 2021,” announced Cuomo through his email COVID-19 update. “This extended an Executive Order that granted people whose licenses expired during the pandemic more time to renew.” 

Hopefully this will give drivers who were worried about going to the DMV right now to renew their licenses  time to do so safely once things calm down, and virus cases aren’t raging as they are at the current moment.  

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Millbrook remains closed at this time, as do other DMVs in Dutchess County except for those in Poughkeepsie and Wappinger Falls. Those offices are open currently by appointment only. The Poughkeepsie DMV is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. It can be reached at 845-486-2388. The Wappinger Falls DMV is open from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. It can be reached at 845-298-4623. 

Some Dutchess County DMV locations have drop boxes, including Poughkeepsie, located at 22 Market St.; Wappinger Falls, located at 29 Marshall Road; and Millbrook, located at 15 Merritt Ave.

Many of the DMV’s forms can be obtained and completed online, to shorten wait time in person and lessen the time people have to be exposed to others during the pandemic. Some of the things that can be done via mail or through the drop box include registering or transferring a vehicle; surrendering a New York State license plate; registering a boat; and obtaining an in-transit permit.

Keep abreast of any upcoming news regarding the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles online, at www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Clerk/department-of-motor-vehicles.