The Cortland County DMV is the county’s motor vehicle office at 112 River Street in Cortland, just off Exit 11 of Interstate 81. It’s open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., except Thursdays, when it opens at 9:00 a.m. Permit tests, CDL tests, REAL ID upgrades, out-of-state license exchanges and enforcement transactions are all available until 4:00 p.m.
Cortland County DMV Address, Hours and Contact Details
| Detail | Cortland County DMV Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 112 River St, Cortland, NY 13045 (get directions) |
| Hours | Monday–Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m.; Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m.; closed weekends |
| Run by | Cortland County Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Location | River Street, off I-81 Exit 11 |
| Test cutoff | 4:00 p.m. for knowledge tests, REAL ID, license exchanges and enforcement |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone | (607) 753-5023 |
Test and Transaction Hours at the Cortland County DMV
| Transaction | Hours |
|---|---|
| Car and motorcycle permit tests | Until 4:00 p.m. |
| CDL knowledge tests | Until 4:00 p.m. |
| Escort vehicle knowledge tests | Until 4:00 p.m. |
| Upgrade to a REAL ID or Enhanced license | Until 4:00 p.m. |
| Exchange an out-of-state license | Until 4:00 p.m. |
| Enforcement transactions, such as restoring a suspended or revoked license | Until 4:00 p.m. |
All of these start when the office opens, at 8:30 a.m. on most days and 9:00 a.m. on Thursdays. Unlike many county offices, Cortland gives CDL tests right up to its 4:00 p.m. cutoff, which helps if you can only come in the afternoon.
Services Available at the Cortland County DMV
| Service | In Cortland |
|---|---|
| Driver licenses, learner permits and non-driver IDs | Yes |
| Upgrade to a REAL ID or Enhanced license | Yes, until 4:00 p.m. |
| Car, motorcycle, CDL and escort vehicle knowledge tests | Yes, until 4:00 p.m. |
| Out-of-state license exchanges | Yes, until 4:00 p.m. |
| Enforcement transactions | Yes, until 4:00 p.m. |
| Vehicle registrations and plates | Yes |
| Road tests | Not at the office; schedule online or by calling (518) 402-2100 |
New to New York? Exchanging an Out-of-State License
If you’ve moved to New York, you have 30 days after becoming a resident to exchange an out-of-state license for a New York one. Cortland handles exchanges until 4:00 p.m.; bring your current license and your proofs of identity, and expect a vision test at the counter.
Directions to the Cortland County DMV
| Coming from | Directions |
|---|---|
| I-81 north (from the south) | Take Exit 11 and turn right at the end of the ramp. Stay in the left lane and turn left onto River Street. |
| I-81 south (from the north) | Take Exit 11 and turn left at the end of the ramp. Stay in the left lane and turn left onto River Street. |
| Route 13 south | After you pass under the I-81 overpass and cross the river, stay in the left lane and turn left onto River Street. |
| Route 13 north | Follow Route 13 north through the city. At the intersection with Pomeroy Street, go straight through to River Street. |
| Routes 11 and 41 | Follow Routes 11 and 41 south through the city and turn left on River Street. |
The Cortland County DMV Is on River Street
Older listings that put the Cortland County DMV at 46 Greenbush Street are out of date. The office is at 112 River Street, close to the I-81 interchange.
Registering a Vehicle at the Cortland County DMV
The Cortland office registers vehicles and issues plates. Cortland County residents pay a county use tax of $10 or $20 with each two-year registration, depending on the vehicle’s weight, but no MCTD fee. Bring proof of ownership, proof of New York insurance, your identification and proof of sales tax, and see our guide to registering a car in New York for the forms and fees.
Driver’s Licenses, REAL ID and Enhanced Licenses
Renewing Your License
You can renew up to one year before and up to two years after your license expires. If you already have a REAL ID or Enhanced license, or you’re keeping a Standard license, you can renew online after passing an eye test with an approved provider. Switching to a REAL ID or Enhanced license, updating your photo or changing your license class takes an office visit.
REAL ID or Enhanced?
Both can be used to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. An Enhanced license can also be used to cross the U.S. border from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries by land or sea, and it costs $30 more; a REAL ID costs the same as a Standard license.
License Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Class D license renewal | $64.50 |
| Class D license renewal with MCTD fee | $80.50 |
| Enhanced license | $30 on top of the regular fee |
| Replacement license or learner permit | $17.50 |
Cortland County isn’t in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD), so residents pay $64.50 for a Class D renewal.
Before You Go: Payment and Holiday Closures
Payment
Cortland County doesn’t list accepted payment methods for its DMV, so call (607) 753-5023 or email [email protected] if you’re unsure how to pay.
Holiday Closures
As a county office, the DMV follows Cortland County’s holiday schedule. It will be closed for Columbus Day on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Services You Can Complete Online
Some transactions don’t need a trip to Cortland at all. On the DMV website, you can:
- Renew your driver’s license, if you’re eligible and pass an eye test with an approved provider
- Renew a vehicle registration, before it expires or up to one year after
- Schedule a road test
- Make a reservation for an office visit
You can’t renew a registration online if the vehicle hasn’t been inspected in the past 12 months.
Tips for Visiting the Cortland County DMV
- Remember Thursday’s later start. The office opens at 9:00 a.m. on Thursdays.
- Start tests and REAL ID by 4:00 p.m. That includes CDL tests.
- Use I-81 Exit 11. River Street is just off the ramp.
- Email questions ahead. The office’s address is [email protected].
- New resident? Exchange your out-of-state license within 30 days.
Other DMV Offices Near Cortland
Cortland County has one DMV office. The closest alternatives are:
- Ithaca DMV: 301 3rd St, Ithaca, NY 14850, run by Tompkins County
- Syracuse DMV: 4671 Onondaga Blvd, Western Lights Plaza, Syracuse, NY 13219, a state-run office
- Norwich DMV: 5 Court St, Norwich, NY 13815, run by Chenango County
For every location in the state, see our guide to New York DMV offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
At 112 River Street, Cortland, NY 13045, just off Exit 11 of Interstate 81. Listings that show 46 Greenbush Street are out of date.
Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The office will be closed for Columbus Day on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Permit tests, CDL tests and escort vehicle tests are available until 4:00 p.m.
Yes, until 4:00 p.m. New residents have 30 days to exchange an out-of-state license for a New York license.
At 9:00 a.m., half an hour later than the rest of the week. It still closes at 4:15 p.m.
Call (607) 753-5023 or email [email protected].
Conclusion
The Cortland County DMV at 112 River Street, just off I-81 Exit 11, handles licenses, IDs, registrations, REAL ID upgrades, license exchanges and knowledge tests on weekdays until 4:15 p.m. Start any test or REAL ID transaction by 4:00 p.m., and remember that the office opens half an hour later on Thursdays.
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