I have been asked a number of times how long do you get to change the address on your license if you move to a new address. The answer is 10 days. This applies not only to your license but also to your vehicle registration.

Applicable Vehicle and Traffic Law sections requiring this are 401(3)(a) for your vehicle registration and section 505(5) for your license. Both sections require notification of the address change to be sent or brought to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of your address change.

VTL also requires that you to cross out the old address on your registration and inscribe your new address on it. (Read the instructions for an address change on the back of your vehicle registration.)

Similarly, on your license, you must also write your new address on the back of your photo license in the place provided. Local DMV offices in Malone and Saranac Lake have address change stickers that go on the back of the license that are easier to write on.

Notification, in writing to the Department of Motor Vehicles, must be made by letter or by completing the DMV “Address Change” form (MV-232), shown with this article. This form can be found online at dmv.ny.gov or in any DMV office. With the MV-232 form, the address can be changed for both your license and for the registration of one or more vehicles.

Failure to notify DMV of an address change for a registered vehicle within 10 days is punishable by a fine of up to $150 plus applicable surcharges and/or up to 15 days in jail for a first offense. Similarly, the fine for failure to notify DMV of change of address for your driver’s license is up to $75 plus applicable surcharges.

Lastly, in response to the question, “Must I carry my driver’s license with me when driving?” VTL section 507-2 states: “Failure to exhibit a license valid for operation to any magistrate, motor vehicle license examiner, motor vehicle investigator, peace officer acting pursuant to his special duties, or police officer shall be presumptive evidence that he is not duly licensed.” This means that, although you should carry your license with you when driving, after producing a valid license, this violation will be dismissed.

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For more articles on traffic law and safety, go to the traffic safety board’s website at www.franklincony.org, click on “Traffic Safety Board” under departments, and then look for “Did You Know” articles under “services.” You may also email me at dwerner151@verizon.net.