N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 404: Issuance of special number plates

§ 404. Issuance of special number plates. 1. The commissioner may

issue special number plates to applicants therefor in the same manner as

other number plates are issued pursuant to this article. Such special

number plates shall be issued only upon payment of an annual service

charge of thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents in addition to the

regular fee prescribed by section four hundred one of this article.

Application for special number plates shall be made in accordance with

regulations promulgated by the commissioner with respect to issuance of

such number plates. Provided, however, in lieu of the annual fee

specified herein, the commissioner may establish specific categories of

plates for which an annual fee of not less than eighteen dollars and

seventy-five cents nor more than thirty-one dollars and twenty-five

cents may be charged subject to the approval of the director of the

division of the budget. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of

this section, the difference collected between the special plates fee or

service charge set forth in this subdivision in effect on and after

September first, two thousand nine and the special plates fee or service

charge set forth in this subdivision in effect prior to such date shall

be deposited to the credit of the dedicated highway and bridge trust

fund.

1-a. The commissioner may issue special number plates to applicants

who are members of veterans organizations in the same manner as other

number plates are issued pursuant to this article. Such special number

plates shall be issued only upon (a) payment of a one-time service

charge of ten dollars in addition to the regular registration fee

prescribed by section four hundred one of this article, and (b)

submission of proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the

applicant is presently a member of the veterans organization for which

such plate is requested. Such membership shall be verified annually by

the applicant. Application for such plates shall be made in accordance

with regulations promulgated by the commissioner with respect to the

issuance of such plates. Provided, however, that nothing contained

herein shall be deemed to supersede the provisions of section four

hundred four-d, four hundred four-e, four hundred four-h, four hundred

four-i, four hundred four-j, four hundred four-k, four hundred four-p,

four hundred four-aa, or four hundred four-dd of this article.

2. For purposes of this section, a special number plate shall be a

plate which contains not more than eight letters, numerals or any

combination thereof and which is reserved by the commissioner for

issuance in accordance with the provisions of this section, or a plate

reserved for issuance in a series for vehicles owned by public officers,

physicians, visiting nurses, accredited representatives of the press or

other groups. In issuing special number plates the commissioner shall

give those applicants who held a special number plate at the time of the

enactment of this section the right to retain such special number plate

upon the payment of the annual service charge of thirty-one dollars and

twenty-five cents. Provided, however, that such right of retention shall

apply only to the first renewal of the registration of such special

number plate following the enactment of this section. Notwithstanding

any inconsistent provision of this section, the difference collected

between the annual service charge set forth in this subdivision in

effect on and after September first, two thousand nine and the annual

service charge set forth in this subdivision in effect prior to such

date shall be deposited to the credit of the dedicated highway and

bridge trust fund.

3. This section shall not apply to any plates in a series reserved in

the public interest for purposes of facilitating identification of state

and municipal vehicles and those owned by members of international

governmental organizations or any other vehicles which are exempt from

the payment of registration fees, nor to plates or series of plates

assigned by the commissioner for issuance by county clerks.

4. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to require the

commissioner to issue a special number plate or plates.