Senator Fred Akshar authored legislation this week to place a road block in Albany’s path to increase license plate replacement fees and cut the cost of replacement plates for New York residents. His proposal would set the price of license plate fees at or below the actual cost to manufacture license plates. It also prevents the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles from creating additional fees for drivers to keep the same license plate number in the event of a design change by the DMV. Finally, it requires the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to produce an annual report that details the cost of making New York license plates. The senator says – quote - “It’s time to inject some common sense into the license plate replacement conversation."
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)’s new license plate replacement program requires drivers to pay $25 for new license plates and an additional $20 to keep their current plate number.
Last month, Governor Cuomo announced the new fee structure and 10-year license plate replacement requirement along with a survey allowing New Yorkers to vote on the new plate designs. Of the five design options, only one features a landmark located in Upstate New York: Niagara Falls.
Senator Fred Akshar said, “The hardworking taxpayers I represent are sick of being nickel-and-dimed by Albany bureaucrats. This legislation seeks to provide a reprieve to those already drowning in taxes and fees by limiting the amount the DMV can charge for replacement plates to the cost of production.”
In August, Akshar released his latest Community Voice Survey asking his constituents to weigh in on the new replacement fees as well as the new designs. To date, over 3,000 surveys have been submitted with over 90% of respondents opposed to the new fees.
