Do I get a temporary New York license to use until my new one arrives?

Download A Temporary Document from the DMV’s Website

When you renew your driver’s license online, the DMV will give you a temporary document at the end of your renewal. You will use this if your license is expired until your real license comes in the mail, which can take up to ten business days. Please note that you will only be able to download this document once when the DMV gives you the option to at the end of the renewal. If you don’t download it then, you will not be able to get another one.

The DMV will give you the option to download a PDF document after you successfully renew your driver’s license online. On the confirmation page, you’ll have the option to download and print it out and it will be valid for 10 days until you get your new license.

Your temporary license does not have a photo. If you lost your license, you’ll be able to download a temporary document as well when you request a replacement. Replacing your license doesn’t require you to pass a vision test, but if you lost your license and it expires within a year, you’ll probably want to renew anyways.

Taking the Required Vision Test Online

Before you renew your license online, you’ll need to pass a vision test. You can schedule a virtual appointment with us to take the required eye exam online. Once you’ve passed, you can use the DMV’s online renewal service. Remember to download your temporary license when you get to the confirmation page. Cleared to Drive is not the DMV, so we can’t provide a temporary ID or license for you. If you’re renewing your license but it doesn’t expire for over 10 days, you don’t need the temporary license. You can still use your current one. If your license is lost, then just remember to not close out of the DMV’s confirmation page when you finish renewing until you download the temporary document.