Department of Motor Vehicles closes all offices due to outbreak

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles announced Saturday that all of its state-run and county-run offices will be closed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The department also announced that all road tests will be suspended until further notice.

While offices are closed, all in-office reservations, scheduled road tests and salvage vehicle appointments will be canceled, according to the department.

“These are extraordinary times and at the direction of Governor Cuomo we are taking broad action to protect the health and safety of the public and our workers,” DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said in the department’s release. “We will continue to offer a wide selection of online transactions during this shutdown so New Yorkers can continue to do business with the DMV.”

In its announcement, the department said expiration dates will be extended for drivers licenses, non-driver IDs and registrations. It added that drivers licenses, non-driver IDS and registrations can still be renewed by mail or online.

The department said that, during the closure, any driver license, nondriver ID or registration set to expire on or after March 1, 2020, will be extended until further notice. The current 45-day temporary vehicle registration issued by auto dealers will also be extended. This extension does not apply to insurance coverage requirements. Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage must be maintained during this extension period, the department said.