Pursuant to Executive Order No. 2 by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo , all licenses and registrations for New York State military personnel returning from active military duty relating to the war on terrorism and military action in Iraq will automatically be extended. The following information will help minimize any potential inconvenience upon their return. 

What happens if my NY State driver license expires while I am on active duty? 
NY State law automatically extends license privileges throughout active military service for up to 6 months after discharge or separation. Discharged or separated military personnel may renew an expired NY State license up to two years after the extended expiration. No more than 30 months may have passed since discharge 6-month extension plus 24 -month grace period. Active military personnel must show proof of date of entry into military service. If the NY State license was valid at any time during your military service , your license can be renewed. A discharged serviceman must show a Certificate of Discharge, DD-214. You must have been discharged within the past 30 months. If the NY State license was valid at any time during your military service , your license can be renewed. 

Am I required to notify DMV of my entry into the military? 
While not required , it is suggested that military personnel file a Notification of Military Service pdf [1] MV -75 to ensure that the license record is not purged once the expiration date has passed. 

What happens if my NY State registration expires while I am on active duty? 
Registrations are extended for up to 60 days from return to New York State. This extension applies only to vehicles registered to military personnel. You must show proof of military service or separation. Liability insurance coverage must be maintained at all times, including the period of extension. 

What happens if I had a lapse of insurance coverage during active duty? 
You are required to maintain continuous coverage or surr

user: I need to know what goes on if my license expires while I am stationed in Japan?

assistant: NY State law automatically extends license privileges throughout active military service for up to 6 months after discharge or separation. Discharged or separated military personnel may renew an expired NY State license up to two years after the extended expiration. No more than 30 months may have passed since discharge.

assistant: Was your NY State license valid at any time during your military service?

user: yes

assistant: Your license can be renewed.

user: is that renewal for active and discharged or is it different for each?

assistant: It is for both active and discharged, if their NY State license was valid at any time during their military service, their license can be renewed.

user: so if I can renew after discharge just the same?

assistant: Yes, your license can be renewed.

user: what happens if I didn't have insurance during some of my military time?

assistant: You should have continuous coverage or surrender your plates before being deployed.

user: what if I couldn't do that?

assistant: DMV has a procedure in place to exempt you from administrative actions upon your return. You will have to provide a notarized statement that the vehicle was not used during the time in question, a copy of your military ID, proof of current insurance, and signed and dated copies of deployment and return papers, or DD-214. You can take these documents to any DMV office or mail them.