Governor Hochul Celebrates Annual Dominican Day Parade and Highlights Recent Efforts to Strengthen Ties Between New York and the Dominican Republic

Additionally, Governor Hochulsigned Legislation S.4329-A /A.3935-A which authorizes the DMV to enter into agreements with governments outside of the United States to allow new residents from those countries to exchange their valid license for a valid New York driver's license, without passing any knowledge or road test. The DMV must determine that the other country in the agreement has a "comparable licensing process" including knowledge and road testing.

The law sets requirements for the agreements, including that the exchange would only apply to drivers over the age of 18; that it would apply only to standard licenses, not commercial licenses or motorcycle licenses; and that parties to the agreement must confirm through designated officials that the applicant has a valid license to exchange. License reciprocity would be subject to the timing of the executed agreement between DMV and the foreign government.

New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "The Dominican community has been a great partner in the growth of New York's social, economic, and cultural landscape. Kudos to Governor Hochulfor offering opportunities for this great partnership to continue to grow by investing in the Dominican Studies Institute at City College; approving the opening of a Banreservasoffice in New York; and a new law to facilitate the exchange of a valid driver's license for a New York State license. These actions will continue to strengthen the economic and cultural ties between New York and the Dominican Republic."

New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne A Harris said, "Since I joined the Department of Financial Services, we have worked hard to strengthen New York's position as the financial capital of the world by developing lasting partnerships with global regulators and attracting more financial firms to the state. I am proud to welcome Banreservas, the Dominican Republic's largest bank, to New York by approving their first office in the United States."

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "The DMV is the gateway to State Government for New Yorkers, and thanks to Governor Hochul'sdiplomacy and leadership, we can now make our processes for new New Yorkers even easier. This kind of effective and convenient service is the cornerstone of the DMV's ongoing mission to change how we operate and better serve the millions of New Yorkers who rely on our services."