The DMV is trying to make your life a little...easier? That, at least, is what Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala is saying. Yesterday she announced a bunch of changes to how New York's DMV works with licensed drivers. Most notably, starting tomorrow drivers can "self-certify" that they meet the vision requirements for driving (though first time drivers will still have to take the a vision test at the DMV). Also, there is now something called "MyDMV," which is like that MySpace thing the kids are using—but for your driving records (it is "Your Path To Personalized Online Services!" according to the website).
"These changes will make it easier for New Yorkers to use the Internet or mail to renew their driver license and conduct a number of other transactions," Fiala said. "By allowing customers to conduct some of their DMV transactions at their leisure, we will also decrease the wait times at the DMV offices for those who need to conduct other transactions which require an in-person visit."
The MyDMV program, which is still getting off the ground, right now will let you change your address, get paperless reminds, monitor your kid's driving record and get an abstract of your driving record all from the comfort of your own home. And in the future "Customers establishing MyDMV accounts will eventually be able to use their usernames and passwords to access online services from other State agencies through the State's NY.GOV ID initiative." Nothing creepy about that!
As for the eye tests? Though it might seem a little scary that drivers won't actually have to go into the DMV to retake their eye tests, it isn't that uncommon. Six states, including Connecticut and Pennsylvania, do not require eye tests at the time of license renewal and eight additional states, including Massachusetts, allow for self-certification of vision adequate for driving.
Still, Transportation Alternatives is already railing against the idea. “Drivers might no longer be able to see where they’re going, but we sure can: this decision puts all of us in danger,” Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White said in a statement. "Thousands are injured and killed every year on New York streets. We’ve made a lot of headway toward bringing those numbers down to zero but we still have a long way to go. We shouldn't reverse course in an effort to save a few bucks. This is more than a matter of dollars and cents: it’s a matter of life and death."
