re: help me find a hit and run

The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
What is the FOIL?

FOIL is an acronym for "Freedom of Information Law". The NYS Freedom of Information Law provides for access to state and local government records.

If a NYS Department of Motor Vehicle record is not available using form MV-15 as indicated below, contact the DMV FOIL office. Follow the instructions provided below to request DMV records under the FOIL.

What DMV records can I request under the FOIL?

All DMV records are available under a FOIL request except for:

1. Records or parts of records that can be withheld under section 87(2) of the NYS Public Officers Law, and

2. Records available using form MV-15 (Request for Driver and/or Vehicle Information). These records are available through the DMV Certified Document Center, rather than the FOIL Office. The following are records ordered with form MV-15:

Driver License Records
Vehicle Registration Records
Vehicle Title Records
Complete 19A Roster
Driver License Applications
Conviction Certificates
Driver License Suspension or Revocation Order
Drinking Driver Program Completion Certificate
Traffic Ticket (Summonses)
Vehicle Registration / Title Application
Vehicle Registration Suspension Order
Vehicle & Traffic Law Books
All other DMV records are available through the FOIL Office. Do not submit a FOIL request for DMV records listed on form MV-15.

How do I make a FOIL request?

Make your FOIL request in writing. To make a request under the FOIL for records that are not listed on form MV-15, do one of the following:

Complete and mail form MV-15F (Freedom of Information Law Request Form).
Write a letter that describes the records you seek. Make sure you include your mailing address so the FOIL Office can respond by mail. Send the letter to the FOIL Office address.
E-mail a FOIL request only if you are a requestor who is exempt from the payment of fees. See the information below about FOIL requests by e-mail.
When and where can I inspect copies of DMV records?

You can inspect DMV records that you requested, and get copies, at the DMV Customer Service Counter in Room 136 of the Swan Street Building, 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, 12228, between 7:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. on any business day.

Records cannot normally be produced on the same day that they are requested. Most DMV records are available within twenty (20) business days of the FOIL Office written acknowledgment of your request.

Is there a fee for records I request under the FOIL?

Yes, the law authorizes the DMV to charge a $10 search fee to determine if the records you request are available. You must pay the search fee even if the records you request cannot be found. The search fee cannot be refunded.

Your FOIL request must include the $10 search fee as indicated on form MV-15F, unless your organization is exempt from the fee.

If the records you request are available, you must pay a copy fee of $1.00 for each page. A page is a single sheet of paper, whether one-sided or two-sided.

You can pay the fees by credit card, or by a check or money order made out to Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

Can I request records under the FOIL by e-mail?

Yes, but only organizations that are exempt from the search and copy fees can submit FOIL requests by e-mail. Exempt organizations are government agencies; public officers, boards or bodies, volunteer fire companies and volunteer ambulance services.

Exempt organizations can get instructions to submit an e-mail FOIL request in the DMV Customer Knowledge Base.

How can I contact the NYS DMV FOIL Office?

The DMV Records Access Officer is the person responsible for providing access to NYS DMV records under the FOIL.

The mailing address for the NYS DMV FOIL Office is:

Records Access Officer
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
FOIL Office
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 435
Albany, NY 12228

This address is also listed on form MV-15F.

The phone number for the FOIL Office is 518-473-0967. Your FOIL request must be made in writing.

How can I get more information about the FOIL in NYS?

Visit the web site of the NYS Committee on Open Government.