As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and most everything reopens, one place that’s feeling some consequences is the Rensselaer County Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state allowed people to drive with expired licenses because many DMVs were closed or operating with reduced staff.

“And then arbitrarily yesterday, he decides effective immediately, anybody out there with a driver’s license or registration that expired is no longer driving legally,” says Frank Merola, Rensselaer County clerk.

Criticizing Gov. Cuomo, Merola said that abruptly lifting the state of emergency will leave the DMV inundated with people trying to update their documents.

What You Need To Know

  • During the height of the pandemic, the state allowed people to drive with expired licenses because many DMV’s were closed or operating with reduced staff

  • Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola is criticizing Gov. Cuomo, saying abruptly lifting the state of emergency will leave the DMV inundated with people trying to update their documents

  • Menola is calling for a “grace period” until July 15 so people don’t get slapped with fines

“It’s a problem for the tens of thousands of people who haven’t renewed their driver’s licenses. They’ve been waiting to come into a DMV office. Most DMVs are appointment only. You have to make an appointment two or three weeks in advance. Some people haven’t gotten in yet,” Merola said.

He is calling for a three-week grace period, until July 15, to allow people time to renew without facing penalties.

A grace period would also help out the DMV.

“We’re trying to stay afloat as it is with transactions with boats and motorcycles and trailers trying to get out for the summer,” Merola said.

The state DMV issued a statement, saying, “Mr. Merola’s statement falsely claims that DMV offices have been and remain closed. The truth is, state-operated DMV offices reopened to customers in June of last year, and what Mr. Merola fails to mention is that the vast majority of customers can renew their licenses online at any time. This option was available prior to and throughout the pandemic. Customers can also renew in-person at a DMV office — there are appointments available as early as today in the state-operated Albany office. Finally, the extension for expired vehicle registrations ended on Nov. 3, 2020, so Mr. Merola’s statement that such an extension was still in place on Thursday is also false,” said Lisa Koumjian, assistant commissioner of communications for the state DMV.

For more information about the state's DMV rules, visit their website.