Adventure Licenses

DMV has teamed with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Parks) to offer convenient service for purchasers of DEC-issued Lifetime Sporting Licenses, Parks-issued Lifetime Empire Passports, and Boating Safety Certificates. Your driver license, permit, or non-driver ID can show evidence that you possess one of these new New York State Adventure Licenses.

New York State's Brianna's Law requires all motorboat operators to have completed a boating safety course by 2025. Anyone successfully completing the New York Safe Boating Course or approved online boating safety course may opt to have their driver's license, non-driver ID, or learner's permit indicate completion of the course. A small anchor icon will be placed on your DMV document, attesting that you have earned a New York State boating safety certificate. You can find out more about completing a boating safety course and adding the icon to your DMV document on the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation website. 

The lifetime recreational license icons will be displayed on the DMV photo document as shown below:

You can opt to have the icons added to your New York State driver license, permit, or non-driver ID when you purchase a lifetime sporting license or complete a boating safety course. You may choose to get your new DMV photo document with the icons immediately, for a fee of $12.50 ($5.00 for non-driver ID holders), or wait for your next license renewal at no charge. Those purchasing a Lifetime Empire Passport will be automatically issued a new license at no cost.

If you already have a lifetime sporting license or boating certificate you may request the icons be added to your DMV photo document. The request can be made online using the Online Sporting License System or by visiting a DMV office and presenting the required proof. When visiting the DMV office, there is a $12.50 ($5.00 for non-driver ID holders) new document fee unless you are renewing your photo document during your visit.

If you want to visit the DMV to request adventure icons on your DMV photo document, bring the following:

• The original sporting license, privilege, or certification document that Parks or DEC issued to you, and
• A completed Application for Permit, Driver License, or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44).

You may contact the agency (Parks or DEC) that issued the lifetime license, privilege, or credential to request they notify DMV to remove the icons. There are no fees associated with these requests. Any icon, except the Empire Passport icon, may also be removed by visiting a New York State DMV office. When removing icons through a visit to a DMV office, you will be required to pay an amendment fee ($12.50 for driver licenses/permits and $5.00 for non-driver identification cards).