To schedule a road test, you can call the Department of Motor Vehicles at 518-402-2100, or click Here to schedule your test online.

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AARP offers a driver safety refresher course (both classroom and online) for drivers age 50 and older.  The course helps seniors to tune up driving skills, update knowledge about the rules of the road, learn about normal age-related physical changes and how to adapt to allow for these changes, and most importantly, to drive more safely.   Most states also provide for an auto insurance discount for those who successfully complete the course.  Go to the AARP website for more information and to find a driver safety class near you:
http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/.  

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Traffic court takes place in your local city, town or village court.  Click Here for a directory of municipal courts.

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Some municipalities in Dutchess County have ordinances regulating the storage of unregistered vehicles on private property.  Contact the municipality where the vehicle is located to find out what the ordinances are.  Click Here for municipality contact information.

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According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, you are required "...to register any boat that is motor-driven and is operated on public waterways in NYS. The boat requires a registration even if the motor is not the primary source of propulsion. If you operate the boat in NYS, you must register the boat with the DMV."

Click Here to access the NYS DMV webpage for frequently asked questions regarding boat registration that includes links to the forms required for registration, cost, and other information.  

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All vehicles registered in New York State must pass a safety inspection every 12 months.  The inspection should be done by a DMV-certified inspector at an inspection station licensed by the New York State DMV.

Look in the yellow pages of your telephone directory or click on the following link to access an online phone directory.  Most of the inspection stations listed will be DMV-registered inspection stations (just ask):
  http://www.switchboard.com/.

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Outdoor burning may require a DEC permit or a municipal permit; it depends upon the municipality and the location.*  To find out if a permit is required in the area where you want to have an open fire, contact both the DEC Regional Office (Dutchess County is in Region 3) and the municipality in which you want to have the fire.  Click Here for municipal contact information.

For more information regarding open burning, click visit the DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4261.html.

* Open burning is prohibited within incorporated villages and cities.

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The answer to this question will depend upon the type of work being done.  Whenever possible, it is best to use a licensed contractor.  For specific information about what licenses will be required of the contractor working on your home, contact the building department of the specific municipality in which you live.  Click Here for a list of municipal contacts.

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To report an instance of building without a permit, call both the building and zoning department of your municipality and the Dutchess County Health Department, Environmental Services Division at (845) 486-3404.

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Yes, you will need to obtain a driveway permit from your local building inspector.  Click Here for a list of municipal contacts.

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The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets requires that every dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed in the town, city or village where the dog resides.

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Each municipality has its own regulations and requirements regarding what is required to set off fireworks (ex. type of insurance involved, application process, etc.).  Contact the appropriate municipality to find out specific information.  Click Here to access municipality contact information.  

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A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state.  Click Here for a list of municipal contacts.

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The legal age to obtain a marriage license—without parental consent—is 18.

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The licensing of various types of contractors (general, heating, plumbing, electrical, etc.) occurs at the municipal level, not the County level.  Contact the appropriate municipality for more information.

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You may purchase sporting licenses and permits using one of the following methods:

1. On-line through the website of the Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (D.E.C.A.L.S.)
2. At any license issuing outlet which includes most town clerks' offices and many sporting goods stores - click Here to access municipality contact information
3. By phone: 1-86-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257)
4. By mail - click Here to access the webpage containing a link to the mail-in license application form (.pdf).

Visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's webpage that includes links to requirements, regulations, guides and fees.

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Each municipality has its own regulations regarding the holding of garage sales and whether or not a permit is required.  Please check with your municipal clerk's office to detemine the laws governing your area.  Click Here for a list of local municipal contact numbers.  

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Visit the New York State website to download the state’s dog license application and to obtain more information about dog licensing and control.

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Outdoor burning may require a DEC permit or a municipal permit; it depends upon the municipality and the location.*  To find out if a permit is required in the area where you want to have an open fire, contact both the DEC Regional Office (Dutchess County is in Region 3) and the municipality in which you want to have the fire.  For more information regarding open burning, visit the DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4261.html.

* Open burning is prohibited within incorporated villages and cities.

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Dutchess County has no licensing requirements, however, the cities of Poughkeepsie and Beacon have restrictions.  For more information call the municipalities where you are going to work.

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Most municipalities will require a permit if you are erecting a storage shed.  Call the building and zoning department for your municipality to find out what the specific regulations are.  Click Here for a list of municipal contacts.

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To apply for a driver's learner permit, you must be 16 years of age or older, you must show proof of identity, and you must show your social security card.  Proof of identity must have a total value of at least six points and must prove your date of birth.  After you pay the application fee and the driver license fee, pass the vision test and the written test, you will receive your permit. 

Click Here to visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website to find more detailed information about learner's permits and driver's licenses-including junior drivers and the graduated licensing law.

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The process to register and title a motorcycle is much the same as that of an automobile.  Regulations vary, however,  depending on whether the vehicle was purchased from a dealer or from a private party, whether the vehicle was purchased out-of-state, whether the vehicle is leased, etc.  Generally, you must present the following items at your local NYS DMV office:

• Proof of ownership
• Odometer and Damage Disclosure Statements (if previously owned)
• New York State Insurance Identification Card (FS-20)
• Proof of your identity and date of birth
• Form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration / Title Application)
• Payment
• Proof of sales tax payment, sales tax exemption, or purchase price

For further information, please visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Vehicle Registration & Title webpage or contact the Dutchess County Clerk's Office; click Here to access local contact information.  If you wish to obtain information regarding motorcycle licenses, click Here to visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles web page. 

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To register your vehicle in Dutchess County, visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  To expedite your visit, view the information on the NYS DMV website to download the necessary forms to complete before you visit your local DMV office. Click Here to find out what documents you will need to bring to the DMV office and to download the forms.  Click Here for the location and hours of your local DMV office.

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When you move into New York State, you have thirty days in which to have your car inspected and registered.

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Click Here to access the New York State Department of Motor Vehicle’s webpages on the subject of transferring title to a car.

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Classes for the AARP-55 Alive driving program are held at various locations throughout the year.  For information on the next class near you, call toll-free (888) 227-7669.

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Any time you make a change to your pistol license, you must fill out a NYS Amendment form. You can also come into the office between the hours of 9:00am and 3:30pm to have this done.   Whether it is a private sale or a sale through a dealer, a receipt must be provided for review by the Pistol Permit Office.  View the Buying and Selling Hand Guns web page to find more detailed information including laws and regulations.

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Summer camps and daycare centers are permitted and inspected by the Environmental Division of the Dutchess County Health Department, in accordance with the New York State and .

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Yes, you may need a permit, depending upon what kind of work is being done.  Contact the Dutchess County Department of Health Division of Environmental Services at (845) 486-3404 for more information.

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For information, view the Application for Pistol License page for obtaining the pistol license application as well as information on the application process.

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You have several options when applying for a passport:

1. You can for a passport at office the Dutchess County Clerk; normal processing is within 25 days (5 weeks) from date of receipt.  Click Here to access the County Clerk’s page that contains more information about this.
   
   
2. There are numerous other locations where you can apply for a passport in Dutchess County, including several post offices, libraries and town clerks.  You will need an appointment to apply at some of these locations.
   
   
3. To find out specifically where else you can apply and what the hours and appointment requirements are, click Here to visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport webpages, then click on “How to Get a Passport” and “Where to Apply”.

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Most home alterations require a building permit from your town.  Towns require Dutchess County Department of Health approval prior to issuance of a building permit.  If your lot is approved, check the approval to see what conditions are required for your septic system for the total number of bedrooms in your home and addition.  If your lot is not approved or your approval is for fewer bedrooms than you desire, you will have to get a new approval.  Click Here for more information regarding building permits, certificates of occupancy and lot approvals.

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The procedure for opening a food service facility and the permits, fees and inspections required will depend upon the type and size of the facility that you are opening.  For specific requirements, call the Environmental Health Services Division of the Dutchess County Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 and ask to speak with the Public Health Sanitarian for the municipality in which the facility will be located.  Click Here to access a table of fees for various types and sizes of permitted facilities.

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If you lose your Pistol License or it is destroyed, you need to go to the Dutchess County Clerk's Office (Records Room) and obtain a copy of your original pistol license application.  Bring your application copy to the Pistol Bureau and we will print a new card. There is a $5.00 fee. We accept cash, check or money order.

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The processing time for applications is 3-6 months.  If after 6 months you have not recieved an answer via mail, you can call the office at 845-486-3883.  Leave a message with your name, phone number and the date you submitted your application.  A clerk will call you back to discuss your application with you. You may also stop in during business hours to inquire. This information cannot be given out via e-mail.

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Contact the Environmental Health Services Division of the Dutchess County Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 for information on how to apply for a Tobacco permit.   A Tobacco Sale Registration and Permit Application (.pdf) can be downloaded from our forms page.

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Yes.  All establishments in Dutchess County engaging in the purchase of gold, silver, and other precious metals are licensed through the Dutchess County Division of Weights and Measures.

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Yes, this is considered a mobile food service facility and it does require a permit from the Dutchess County Department of Health.  Contact the Environmental Services Division of the Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 and ask to speak with a Public Health Sanitarian for the specific permit requirements for your hot dog truck:  To find out where you can park your hot dog truck, contact the appropriate municipality.  Click Here for a list of municipal contacts.

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