N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 251: Exemption for members of the armed forces and their dependents

§ 251. Exemption for members of the armed forces and their dependents.

1. The provisions of this chapter relative to the registration of motor

vehicles and motorcycles and the display of number plates shall not

apply to motor vehicles or motorcycles having registrations and

displaying plates issued by the armed forces of the United States for

vehicles owned by members of the armed forces or their dependents, but

such exemption shall be valid only for a period of forty-five days after

the owner thereof has entered this state for the purpose of traveling to

either his place of residence or a point of military duty.

2. A member of the armed forces who has been issued a license to

operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle by the armed forces of the United

States may operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle on the public highways

of this state without being licensed under this chapter for a period of

sixty days after such person has entered this state.

2-a. A member of the armed forces and any dependent of such person

sixteen years of age or older who has complied with the laws of a state,

territory, federal district or foreign country which require such

person, in order to operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle therein, to be

licensed, may operate or drive a motor vehicle or motorcycle on the

public highways of this state without being so licensed under this

chapter. Provided, however, that the recognition granted under this

subdivision shall, with respect to a person under the age of eighteen

years, only permit the operation of a motor vehicle or motorcycle in

this state in accordance with the same restrictions imposed upon New

York residents operating or driving motor vehicles or motorcycles with

class DJ or MJ licenses under subdivision three of section five hundred

one of this chapter. The exemption granted in this subdivision shall not

apply to persons whose privilege of operating a motor vehicle in this

state, or whose former license to drive in this state, has been

suspended or revoked, until such suspension or revocation has been

terminated or privilege of operating a motor vehicle restored.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision four of this section, for

purposes of this subdivision, "member of the armed forces" shall mean a

person on active duty, other than annual active duty for training, in a

branch of the armed forces of the United States and "dependent" shall

mean a spouse or child of a member of the armed forces residing in the

same household and dependent upon such member of the armed forces for

support.

3. The provisions of this chapter relative to the registration and

equipment of motor vehilces, motorcycles and trailers and the display of

registration numbers shall not apply to motor vehicles, motorcycles or

trailers owned by members of the armed forces or their dependents who

are non-residents of this state, provided that the owner thereof shall

have complied with the provisions of the law of the foreign country,

state, territory or federal district of his residence relative to

registration and equipment of such motor vehicles, motorcycles or

trailers, as the case may be, and the display of registration numbers

thereon, and shall conspicuously display his registration numbers as

required thereby.

4. For the purposes of this section "member of the armed forces" shall

mean a person on active duty, other than annual active duty for

training, in a branch of the armed forces of the United States or a

person who has been discharged from such active duty within the

preceding sixty days, and "dependent" shall mean a spouse or child of a

member of the armed forces or other person residing in the same

household and dependent upon such member of the armed forces for

support.