County Clerk shares simple steps to avoid having your license suspended
Erie County, NY- Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS DMV) are warning drivers that they are in risk of having their driver’s license suspended if they fail to comply with NYS DMV’s vision screening policy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, motorists were allowed to renew their New York State driver license on-line by self-certifying their vision. By doing so they agreed to submit a vision test within one year of that date. If your driver’s license expired between March 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021, and you received such a notification you are one of the affected motorists.
We are asking those who self-certified their vision online to complete the screening process,” said Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns. “If you fail to submit your vision test results, or take one at your local DMV office, you are putting your driving privileges in jeopardy of immediate suspension. Do not ignore this final reminder.”
The NYS DMV recently sent final notices to drivers who renewed their driver license on-line and chose to defer their vision test upon renewal. This is after over 150,000 drivers have yet to obey past communications from the DMV.
There are three options to show that you have visual acuity of at least 20/40 (based on the Snellen Visual Acuity Scale) in either or both eyes, with or without corrective lenses, in order to meet the NYS DMV requirement:
- Pass a vision test by an approved provider and the provider will enter the results to the DMV's Vision Registry for you;
- If you pass a vision test from a provider that is not approved to be in DMV's Vision Registry, your provider must complete a Vision Test Report (MV-619) and you can submit the original copy by mail: Erie County Auto Bureau, 170 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, Attn: Vison Results;
- Visit any Erie County Auto Bureau, bring in your letter and the vision test will be administered for free.
Erie County Clerk Kearns added, “I suggest making an appointment to ensure you get in and out quickly. We do accept walk-ins and will accommodate you as swiftly as possible, however, appointments do take preference.”
To schedule your same or next day appointment visit erie.gov/clerk/autobureau or call the Erie County Clerk’s Outreach Center at 716-858-8864 for additional assistance.