Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has introduced new legislation in the New York State Assembly that would waive all DMV fees for obtaining a commercial driver’s license until the end of 2024. If passed, this bill would remove these financial barriers for obtaining a commercial driver’s license at a time of nationwide driver shortages and supply chain issues caused by lack of staffing for positions such as bus drivers and truck drivers.

Currently, there are application fees ($10), additional fees for required tests ($5), fees for taking the CDL road test ($40),  and fees required to obtain or renew a commercial driver’s license ($164.50).  These fees can total to more than $200 for people looking for jobs that require this license.

“All of these fees can create burdensome barriers for working class people that may be considering a new career that requires a commercial driver’s license at a time when these jobs desperately need to be filled,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “My hope is that a two-year moratorium on these DMV fees will help encourage people to take good paying jobs in vital areas such as school buses, snowplows, and delivery trucks.”

Assemblyman Santabarbara also notes how these unfilled jobs contribute to issues of rising inflation, saying “Staffing shortages create gridlock in our supply chains, which drive up costs and contribute to higher prices at the grocery store and at the gas pump. This legislation seeks to help with this issue by building a pool of qualified candidates to hire from as shortages continue across the nation.”