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How to file — DMV restoration / hardship hearing
NY Department of Motor Vehicles
Deadline
Hardship hearings: requested at arraignment or within the suspension order period. Relicensing: at end of revocation period.
15 NYCRR Part 134 (hardship privileges) and Part 136 (relicensing). Hardship hearings before an ALJ; relicensing reviewed by Driver Improvement Bureau.
How to submit
MAIL
Driver Improvement Bureau
NY DMV Driver Improvement Bureau P.O. Box 2700 Albany, NY 12220-0700
For hardship hearing requests after suspension/revocation. Use restoration request form for relicensing.
What to attach
- Court documents / order of suspension
- Employer letter confirming employment, hours, work location, lack of public-transit alternative
- Family / medical needs documentation supporting hardship
- Driver record abstract
- Treatment / rehabilitation completion certificates (if alcohol-related)
Pro tips
- Hardship hearings turn on "extreme hardship" + "no alternative means of travel." Both prongs must be documented, not asserted.
- For Part 136 relicensing, A-rule (3+ alcohol/drug convictions in 25 years) and B-rule (5+ alcohol/drug convictions lifetime, plus serious driving offense) are dispositive — address the count and any mitigation.
- Bring a certified driving abstract; do not rely on memory of dates.
Citations the letter relies on
- VTL § 510 — NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 510 (Suspension and revocation of licenses)
- VTL § 1193 — NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1193 (DWI sanctions — license suspension/revocation)
- 15 NYCRR Part 134 — 15 NYCRR Part 134 (Hardship privileges and pre-conviction conditional licenses)
- 15 NYCRR Part 136 — 15 NYCRR Part 136 (DMV regulations on relicensing of persistently dangerous drivers)
Not legal advice. Consult an attorney for high-stakes matters.