State legislators are likely to discuss a reciprocity agreement for driver’s licenses between New York state and the Dominican Republic.

S.9571, sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepulveda, D-Bronx, would direct the state and Dominican Republic to enter into an agreement for reciprocity in issuing driver licenses to citizens from NYS residing in the Dominican Republic and to holders of valid Dominican Republic driver licenses lawfully residing in New York state. Both parties will agree on the reciprocal provision for issuance and skills. Both parties shall agree that a holder of a valid, unexpired license from the state of New York residing in the Dominican Republic, will be able to exchange such license for a Dominican Republic driver license at a normal conversion fee, without being required to pass the theoretical and practical test and vice versa. If the license is expired, all tests will be required.

Each party shall provide sample of driver licenses issued at time of the agreement and definition of all classes of driver licenses, notations and restrictions. This agreement only applies to holders of unrestricted driver licenses aged 18 or older and shall not apply to applications for enhanced licenses, real ID’s or driver licenses for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle or motorcycle 3. The standards, rules and regulations as for any resident of the state of New York and/or the Dominican Republic shall apply.

According to a news release, work has been going on behind the scenes to set the stage for the legislation to be discussed during the state’s upcoming legislative session.

“For the first time a bill like this is being presented before the New York legislature and I must thank Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, MSW for being my colleague in this effort on behalf of the Assembly and to Congressman Adriano Espaillat for his leadership and guidance in this process,” Sepulveda said.

“Likewise, I have presented this bill thanks to the conversations held with important leaders of the Dominican Republic who seek to look out for the welfare, as I do, of their compatriots who live and work in New York.

This is possible thanks to the support we have received from our counterpart in the Dominican Republic, Senator Alexis Victoria Yeb, Senate President Eduardo Estrella and the President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader. Thanks to the support of these leaders and the support of the leadership of New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, we achieved the first agreement and exchange of ideas with the Senate of the Dominican Republic. Both institutions are in discussions on initiatives such as this one that reaffirm the brotherhood between the two nations, the collaboration and the desire to work together for the good of our communities.”

Dominican drivers with a valid driver’s license can already drive in New York state for up to a year as a visitor before they are required to get a New York learner’s permit and pass a New York driver’s test to receive a state driver’s license. The state’s current law is similar to existing laws in most states.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the Assembly, but a bill number is not yet available.

“As we continue to live in an evermore interconnected world, where many of the 4.5 million foreign-born New Yorkers frequently travel internationally to visit family, it is essential that we have strong relationships with other nations,” said Assemblyman Manny De Los Santos, D-New York City and sponsor of the legislation in the Assembly. “I would like to thank Senator Sepulveda and the government of the Dominican Republic for working with me to make it easier for residents of New York State and the Dominican Republic to obtain drivers licenses after becoming a permanent resident. Together, we can remove red tape to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”