Restricted Use License in New York: Go to Work, School, and Doctor 

If your license is suspended, the New York DMV may issue a restricted use licensed to a driver who qualifies for such a license after a revocation or suspension due to violations not related to alcohol or drugs. The DMV determines if you qualify under the law for the restricted use license and will notify you if you are eligible.

A restricted use license allows driving:

• to the applicant's employment, business, trade, occupation or profession, or
• to his travel to and from a class or course at an accredited school, college or university or at a state approved institution of vocational or technical training, or,
• to and from a medical examination or treatment as part of a necessary medical treatment for such participant or member of his household, as evidenced by a written statement to that effect from a licensed medical practitioner

Prevents Deprivation of Livelihood and Financial Hardship to Suspended Driver 

To be granted a restricted use license, the DMV must find that a denial of such license or privilege would deprive the person of his usual means of livelihood and thereby constitute an unwarranted and substantial financial hardship on the applicant and his immediate family or would seriously impair such person's ability to meet the requirements of his education.

Only Applies to Certain Suspended Drivers  

You will not qualify for a restricted use license if:

• you do not have a valid NYS license or a NYS license that can be renewed, or
• your license was suspended for a period of 30 or fewer days, or
• a judge suspended your license based on the court’s authority, or
• you had another restricted license in the last three years, or
• you have a suspension that you can end yourself. For example, if your license is suspended because you failed to respond to a traffic ticket, or you failed to pay a fine, or you failed to file an accident report.

Authorities: NYS DMV Help Article and NY VTL §530