DMV seeing fewer fake IDs
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Citations for fake IDs at summer concerts in New York dropped again in 2024, continuing a downward trend, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Their annual crackdown, conducted with the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and local police, prevents underage drinking and driving by targeting young people and checking for fake IDs at events like concerts.
The DMV enforcement drive ended on September 29. DMV officers issued 307 citations and seized 349 fake IDs this year, a decline from the 312 citations and 389 fake licenses confiscated in 2023. They caught over 550 people using fake IDs during the same effort in 2022.
| Region | Citations | Fake IDs |
| Capital Region | 55 | 79 |
| Central New York | 91 | 96 |
| Finger Lakes | 95 | 106 |
| Long Island | 60 | 62 |
| Mid-Hudson | 6 | 6 |
| Total | 307 | 349 |
“We are happy to say that these numbers have been declining in recent years,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “We hope the message is being heard that summer concerts should be enjoyed without putting health and safety at risk.”
The DMV works directly with concert venues, training on how to check IDs and spot fakes. They also check bars and restaurants where people who are under 21 try to buy alcohol.
"Ensuring that alcohol stays out of the hands of our underage youth is in the New York State Liquor Authority's mission, said SLA Chair Lily Fan. "Doing so effectively requires constant collaborative effort between the state, local law enforcement, and our licensed retailers.' The State Liquor Authority, as always, is proud to join our partners at the DMV to celebrate another successful year in helping keep our summer concerts a place of fun."