New York State · exam No. 31-687020
Supervising Motor Vehicle Referee
Accepting applications Promotional
notice
- New York State is accepting applications for the Supervising Motor Vehicle Referee exam (No. 31-687020), a promotional examination, until (29 days left as of October 27, 2026).
- The exam date is .
- The announced salary is $120,471.
- The application fee is $0.
- The announcement was posted on .
What the job involves
As a Supervising Motor Vehicle Referee , you would oversee the Administrative Adjudication Traffic Violations Bureau; coordinate operations of traffic violations offices with other Department programs; direct the management and operation of offices and field staff; determine assignment of personnel and designate geographic regions for Safety Hearings field staff; ensure uniformity of office operations and the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Commissioners Regulations are carried out uniformly and properly; communicate with senior police and court officials in adjudication program matters; investigate and review complaints concerning misuse of discretion by Motor Vehicle Referees; review Appeals Board determinations; recommend changes to existing laws or new legislation; draft and oversee the preparation of legal opinions and interpretations regarding adjudication of traffic violations and the conduct of Safety Hearings; and provide consultation and legal interpretation to other bureaus and offices within the Department and to the public regarding the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Minimum qualifications
Open to employees of: Motor Vehicles, Department of
On or before January 9, 2027, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and have had three months of permanent competitive, non-competitive NY HELPS*, or 55-b/55-c service as a Senior Motor Vehicle Referee. If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally** in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for this examination.
Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.
If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before October 9, 2026, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.
*If you were permanently appointed via the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class on or before October 9, 2026, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you may apply for this examination.
**If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title and had provisional service in the same title immediately preceding the permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required to apply for this examination. Your provisional appointment must have been on or before October 9, 2026, to qualify for this examination.
Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: After one year of service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class will have their names restricted from appointment from the eligible list until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by action of the New York State Civil Service Commission or otherwise obtain permanent competitive status in the position.
If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for appointment from the eligible list.
Continued Employment: Admission to the New York State Bar and current registration to practice law in New York State is necessary for continued employment. Disbarment or loss of registration shall result in suspension or termination of your employment.
The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and are located statewide.
Subject of examination
To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the multiple-choice test . The multiple-choice test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas:
Preparing reports and official documents - These questions test for the ability to prepare reports and other official documents for use within and among governmental agencies, in legal or regulatory settings, or for dissemination to the public. Some questions test for a knowledge of grammar, usage, punctuation, and sentence structure. Others test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, to use the proper tone, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly.
Working and interacting with others - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively approach work and maintain professional relationships with others in the workplace. Each question presents a situation and a number of possible approaches for handling it. Question topics may include working with supervisors and coworkers, interacting with members of the public, handling conflict, and managing workplace demands and priorities. The questions are not specific to any job title or place of work.
Administrative supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.
Understanding and applying administrative principles - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively manage and direct an organization or an organizational segment. These questions cover such areas as developing objectives, formulating policies, making decisions, forecasting and planning, developing personnel, organizing and coordinating work, communicating information, providing leadership, and delegating authority and responsibility.
Analyzing and evaluating information - These questions test for the ability to analyze, interpret, and draw reasonable conclusions from information presented in text, data, images or symbols. This may involve identifying a significant problem or issue; focusing on relevant data and text; identifying trends, relationships, and significant features; assessing relevant alternatives; suggesting or evaluating possible conclusions; and applying logical principles to information provided.
Understanding and interpreting written material - These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will be asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.
Test Guide & Sample Test Material: A General Guide to Multiple-Choice Tests is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm . If Sample Test Material is available for a subject area described above, it can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/sampletestmat.cfm .
If you pass, your seniority credit(s), if any, will be included in the computation of your final score. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any Veterans' credits.
Credit For Seniority: Seniority is credited at the rate of one credit for each five-year period (or fraction thereof), excluding the first year of service.
Admission To The Test: If approved for a multiple-choice test, you will receive an admission notice which will indicate your assigned test date and th
Location
These positions exist in the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and are located statewide.
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