VTL 509-10, “Holding Non-NY License While Holding Valid NY License”

Vehicle & Traffic Law § 509-10 prohibits a motorist from holding two unexpired licenses from two different states at the same time. There are some exceptions for specific types of licenses and for when permission is granted. A conviction of this violation does not carry points and will not appear on your driving record. The fine is up to the judge with the maximum being $300 plus $93 mandatory surcharge. There is the possibility of fifteen days jail time, but this is unlikely. If you got this ticket there is a good chance you got another ticket as well. If the other ticket has points or is more serious you should plead Not Guilty to both.

Text of the Statute:

No person shall hold an unexpired license issued by the commissioner while holding a driver's license issued by any other jurisdiction. This prohibition shall not apply to any license which by its terms is valid only within the jurisdiction of issuance. Nor shall it apply if such person has informed the commissioner of such multiple licenses and the commissioner has determined that it is necessary for such person to hold more than one license to comply with the laws of each of the jurisdictions in which such licenses were issued. The foregoing exceptions shall not be applicable to commercial driver's licenses after December thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-nine.

For any traffic related charges in New York State, you can contact the Benjamin Goldman Law Office. We are a traffic ticket defense firm that operates state-wide. Our attorneys help motorists in New York regions, including Long Island, New York City, Upstate New York, Capital District, Hudson Valley, Central New York, Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and North Country. Contact us at your convenience to utilize a free consultation.

Fight a VTL § 509-10 Ticket