Former DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, IATR President Matt Daus, and Steve Gordon at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2026 New York International Auto Show

Last week, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles underwent a leadership transition, marking a true changing of the guard while the agency continues to go through a time where its computerized systems and how they work with drivers and automotive dealerships go through a major modernization.

After 7 years as DMV Commissioner, Mark J.F. Schroeder officially stepped down after a term defined by agency challenges and revitalization. As a former member of the NY State Assembly and Comptroller of the City of Buffalo, Schroeder was a consummate public servant when he joined the NY State DMV as Commissioner, bringing a common-sense approach to customer service, accountability, and efficiency to the agency. Schroeder led the agency during the COVID-19 pandemic, working to expand digital and flexible applications when in-person services were severely restricted. Through his leadership, licenses continued to be issued, renewed, or extended, and vehicle registration processes were handled through appointment systems on an as-needed basis. After offices reopened, he worked to ensure backlogs were addressed and that New York State residents received essential services. He also understood that the pandemic and the challenges it caused had to be the impetus to advancing a comprehensive technology upgrade to DMV’s core systems and expanding services that could be provided online. This work culminated in a major systems overhaul in early 2026, eliminating decades-old legacy systems and replacing them with singular systems meant to streamline operations, improve data management, and create a 21st-century agency.

Matt Daus, IATR President, said, “I want to congratulate Commissioner Schroeder on his outstanding service and leadership during a pivotal time for the New York State DMV. His tenure was defined by steady, pragmatic leadership through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a forward-looking commitment to modernizing the agency’s operations and improving the customer experience for millions of New Yorkers. From advancing critical technology upgrades to strengthening traffic safety enforcement and interagency collaboration, Commissioner Schroeder has left a strong and lasting legacy. We are pleased to welcome Acting Commissioner Jackstadt to this important role. Having already played a key part in the agency’s day-to-day operations and ongoing modernization efforts, he brings continuity and a clear vision for the future. We look forward to working closely with him as the DMV continues to evolve into a more efficient, innovative, and responsive 21st-century agency, and as it advances shared priorities around public safety, regulatory excellence, and service delivery for all New Yorkers.”

Under Schroeder’s leadership, the DMV also made significant changes to how the most reckless and dangerous drivers on our streets are penalized. In February 2026, for the first time, speed contests and illegal racing, aggravated unlicensed operation, and any alcohol- or drug-related conviction or incident were all assigned significant point values for license holders in New York State. Speeding in a construction zone is no longer assessed based on speed; instead, any violation now carries 8 points, and overtaking or passing a stopped school bus increased from 5 points to 8 points. In addition to these updated point values, the new regulations, shepherded by then-Commissioner Schroeder, extend the time frame in which the DMV can take administrative action against persistent violators from an 18-month lookback period to 24 months. As he said at the time, “These updated regulations will have no impact on drivers who follow the rules of the road, but they will have a big impact on dangerous drivers and repeat offenders whose poor choices always put other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk. Our job is to make sure that New York’s roads are safe for everyone, and if someone chooses to be reckless and unsafe, they do not deserve to be behind the wheel, period.”

In his role as DMV Commissioner, Schroeder also served as Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and as the state’s official liaison to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, where he oversaw the development of the highway safety strategic plan, strengthened connections with the NYC Vision Zero Task Force, and championed initiatives with NASCAR driver Ross Chastain to promote youth seat belt use.

Christian Jackstadt, Acting Commissioner of the New York State DMV

On Friday, May 1, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Christian Jackstadt was named Acting Commissioner of the DMV. Jackstadt, who became Executive Deputy Commissioner in March 2022, has overseen the agency’s day-to-day operations and has been instrumental in advancing its strategic goals. Under his guidance, the agency renewed its focus on customer service, improved its organizational culture, and successfully completed the first phase of the largest technology modernization project in DMV history.

“Christian Jackstadt has a terrific record of serving New Yorkers, both at the DMV and in prior roles in the executive chamber and at the Office of General Services,” Hochul said. “I know he will continue to strengthen the DMV and bring further improvement to its recent record of better customer services to the millions of New Yorkers who rely on it.”

Jackstadt said, “I am honored to step into this role as we thank Commissioner Schroeder for his excellent service to our state. I remain deeply committed to continuing to focus on Gov. Hochul’s priorities surrounding public safety, customer experience, and affordability, and I look forward to leading our employees and working with our partners across the state.”

Image: Jan Somma-Hammel

New York State Police and other state agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and Thruway Authority, will be partnering with local law enforcement throughout New York to conduct a week-long operation targeting ghost cars, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The enforcement detail, dubbed Operation Plate Check, begins Saturday, May 2 and will continue through Saturday, May 9.

“Drivers who are using fake or altered license plates to avoid tolls or law enforcement are on notice — we do not take this crime lightly and you will be held accountable,“ Hochul said. “This enforcement period is about safety and ensuring that those who are using our highways, bridges and tunnels are paying their fair share.”

Over the last few years, law enforcement has detected an increase in vehicles equipped with altered license plates and fraudulent temporary paper tags. These plates and tags are often used to avoid detection from license plate readers, traffic enforcement cameras and to avoid paying tolls.

“Altering, concealing or using fake or fraudulent license plates is a deliberate attempt to evade responsibilities on our roadways,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “These violations are not just about avoiding tolls, they can hinder law enforcement and put the public safety at risk. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her support and our state and local partners for their efforts to hold accountable those who engage in these unlawful acts.”

In the days ahead, State Police will deploy additional patrols with the aim of particularly identifying fraudulent license plates. Law enforcement will also aim to target aggressive drivers and those violating the state’s Move Over Law. During this period, troopers will also collaborate on joint license plate enforcement details with DMV and other partners.

Source: The Staten Island Advance

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Image: Reuters

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on Tuesday adopted new regulations on autonomous vehicles (AVs) to curb public safety issues and keep manufacturers in check.

New regulations include expanding “safety and oversight requirements for” all types of AVs, the DMV said in a statement released Tuesday.

This will allow law enforcement agencies to cite AV companies for moving violations and have those companies respond to first responder calls within 30 seconds and authorize local emergency officials “to issue electronic geofencing directives to clear AVs from active emergency zones.”

“California continues to lead the nation in the development and adoption of AV technology, and these updated regulations further demonstrate the state’s commitment to public safety,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in the statement. “These updates support the growth of the AV industry by enhancing public safety and transparency while adding additional accountability for AV manufacturers.”

The regulations, along with the passage of Assembly Bill 1777, ensure that local government emergency officials can issue temporary “do not enter” or “restricted area” zones to allow manufacturers to respond to any public safety incidents.

“Any AV already inside the zone must exit and no additional AVs may enter,” the DMV stated. “AVs that violate this restriction may be subject to permit restrictions or suspension, depending on the circumstances of the incident.”

Each AV manufacturer must complete 50,000 miles or 500,000 miles of testing for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, respectively.

The regulations also give the DMV the authority to place “targeted operational restrictions on AV manufacturers … when necessary for public safety.”

Source: The Hill

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