Form MV-523 at a glance
What it is: Form MV-523 is the Application for Driving School Instructor Certificate.
Who signs: Add the Applicant's Signature and Date. Sworn to before me this day of in the year of, with the Notary Public Number and Signature. Print Name of Driving School Official, Job Description/Title, and the Signature of Driving School Official and Date.
What to bring and attach to Form MV-523
All requests must include one passport-type photo taken within the last 30 days.
All requests must include an Abstract of Lifetime Driving Record no more than 30 days old.
All requests must include fees paid with a check or money order payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."
Please note that "starter checks" cannot be accepted.
You must include additional documentation based on what you are applying for.
A filled-in Form MV-523 example: an original instructor certificate
How to fill out Form MV-523, box by box
Original Instructor's Certificate, Renewal, Additional, Endorsement or Duplicate
Mark Original Instructor's Certificate ($10), Instructor's Certificate Renewal (see reverse), Additional Certificate (no fee), Classroom Endorsement (no fee), Change of Vehicle Class Endorsement (no fee) or Duplicate Instructor Certificate (no fee). (checked November 8, 2026)
Name and address of licensed driving school submitting this application
Under Name and Address of Licensed Driving School Submitting This Application, enter the Name of Driving School, License Number, Business Phone Number and Address of Driving School (Street & Number), City, State and Zip Code.
Name of person applying for a driving school instructor certificate
Under Name of Person Applying for a Driving School Instructor Certificate, enter the Last Name, First, M.I., Social Security Number, Applicant's Address as it appears on the driver license, Driver License ID No., City, State, Zip Code and Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy).
Section 5 of the NYS Tax Law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide Social Security numbers to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance upon request.
Which vehicle type(s) will be used to teach in?
Mark the vehicle type(s) that will be used to teach in: Car, Bus, Motorcycle, Tractor-Trailer or Truck.
List employment experience for last 5 years
List employment experience for the last 5 years. List the most recent first. Attach additional sheets, if necessary.
Enter the Name and Address of Business, Job Description/Title, Dates Employed (month/year) From and To, and Reason for Leaving.
Answer all questions, check one
Answer all questions and check one. For every question answered "yes", the applicant must provide a complete explanation on page 2 of this form. Check Yes or No: 1. Have you ever been known by any name other than the one shown on this application? 2. Has your driver license ever been suspended or revoked in New York or any other state? 3. Have you ever been convicted of any traffic violations (not parking violations)? 4. Have you ever been in an automobile crash?
Check one
Check one, Yes or No. 5A. Have you, any business you have been a part of, or any immediate family member, ever had any government-issued application/license/permit/registration/certification/approval denied, suspended, or revoked in New York State?
5B. If so, are there outstanding charges or civil penalties? 6. Have you, any business you have been a part of, or any immediate family member, ever been licensed/registered/certified/approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles? If yes, list the name, type, and current status of the business.
7. Have you, any business you have been a part of, or any immediate family member, ever held a driver school license or instructor certificate which was found to have engaged in unlicensed or uncertified operation by the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other governmental entity?
8. Have you, any business you have been a part of, or any immediate family member, been scheduled for a hearing or been notified of a pending hearing regarding any government-issued application/license/permit/registration/certification/approval in New York State?
9. Within the past 12 months, have you been paid for giving driver training instructions? 10. Have you ever been convicted of a felony, or of any crime involving violence, dishonesty, deceit, indecency, degeneracy, moral turpitude, perjury, or of making any false statements relating to any part of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law or the Commissioner's Regulations?
11. Are you now involved with any charges or court proceedings relating to the matter stated in question 10? 12. Are you an instructor for or do you own a delivery agency which conducts the Point and Insurance Reduction Program?
Use this space to explain any questions answered Yes
Use this space to explain any questions answered "Yes". Please include the number of the question you are explaining. Attach additional pages, if necessary and print your name on each attached page.
Attach photo
Attach photo: Photograph must have been taken within past 30 days and should be 1 7/8” wide by 2” long, and must be a true likeness showing only the shoulders, neck and uncovered head.
Applicant's Name, Signature and Sworn to before me
Affirm under penalty of perjury that you have read this form and know the contents, and that all answers and statements are true.
Print the Applicant's Name (Please Print).
Sworn to before me this day of in the year of, with the Notary Public Number and Signature.
Print Name of Driving School Official, Job Description/Title, and the Signature of Driving School Official and Date.
More rules for Form MV-523
Enter the Applicant's Full Name and the Applicant's License ID Number, as printed on the driver license.
To knowingly make a false statement or to conceal a material fact on this form is a criminal offense and may result in the revocation of your Driving School License and/or Instructor Certificate.
The instructor will carry the instructor's certificate at all times while giving driving instructions or when accompanying a student to a DMV road test.
Surrender the instructor's certificate to the driving school if you end your employment with the school.
The instructor certificate will immediately become void if your driver license is suspended or revoked, and you will surrender the certificate to the driving school.
Renewals, endorsements, duplicates and other situations
You are applying for the Original
Original: High School Diploma or GED Yes, 30-Hour Basic Course (MCCII) Optional, 30-Hour Advanced Course (TTM) Optional, Required Fee $10. (checked November 8, 2026)
You are renewing an Instructor's Certificate
Renewal - 2 year: High School Diploma or GED No, 30-Hour Basic Course (MCCII) Yes (one time), 30-Hour Advanced Course (TTM) Optional, Required Fee $20. (checked November 8, 2026)
Renewal - 1 Year: High School Diploma or GED No, 30-Hour Basic Course (MCCII) Optional, 30-Hour Advanced Course (TTM) Optional, Required Fee $10. (checked November 8, 2026)
Renewal - 2 year* $20 and Renewal - 1 Year * $10: Driving School Instructor Certificate renewals are for two years UNLESS: You have not submitted proof of completing the 30-Hour Basic Course OR Your driver license is not issued by New York State. (checked November 8, 2026)
You are applying for Additional or Vehicle Endorsement
Additional: Required Fee No Fee, High School Diploma or GED No, 30-Hour Basic Course (MCCII) No, 30-Hour Advanced Course (TTM) No.
Vehicle Endorsement: Required Fee No Fee, High School Diploma or GED No, 30-Hour Basic Course (MCCII) No, 30-Hour Advanced Course (TTM) No.
You are adding a Classroom Endorsement
Classroom Endorsement: Required Fee No Fee, High School Diploma or GED No, 30-Hour Basic Course (MCCII) Yes, 30-Hour Advanced Course (TTM) Yes.
Classroom Endorsement requires proof of at least one year experience as a behind-the-wheel instructor.
If adding Classroom Endorsement, attach an Authorized Signature list (MV-278.6).
You are applying for a Duplicate
Duplicate: Required Fee No Fee, High School Diploma or GED No, 30-Hour Basic Course (MCCII) No, 30-Hour Advanced Course (TTM) No.
Duplicate (replacement) Instructor Certificate: Letter from the driving school owner requesting a duplicate certificate is required.
If you lose your certificate, you will have your employer submit a written request for a duplicate to DMV.
You have an educational diploma from a foreign country
Educational diplomas from foreign countries must be translated by a New York State Civil Service-approved organization listed on the Civil Service website at www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm
Common questions about Form MV-523
Is there a deadline?
If there is any change regarding any information on this form, it must be reported in writing within 10 days to: Department of Motor Vehicles Driver Training Programs 6 Empire State Plaza Room 327 Albany, NY 12228.
Where do I file it?
Print in blue or black ink. Complete this Driving School Instructor Application completely and accurately for each employee of the driving school applying for or amending an Instructor Certificate. Return this form to: Department of Motor Vehicles, Driver Training Programs, 6 Empire State Plaza, Room 327, Albany, NY 12228.
Is there a penalty?
False statements are punishable under Section 210.45 of the Penal Code.
Sources
[1] Form MV-523 (1/26), Application for Driving School Instructor Certificate, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).