N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 15, § 173.1 – Nonfee duplicates.

(a) As permitted by chapter 548 of the Laws of 1986, whenever a driver's license, learner's permit, registration certificate or number plate or plates has or have been destroyed, stolen or lost as a result of a crime, the victim of such crime may apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles and be issued such lost, stolen or destroyed item or items without payment of any fee, provided that at the time of application he or she submits a letter or report from a police agency substantially as set forth in subdivision (b) of this section confirming that the applicant has reported the crime and the loss of such item or items to that police agency.
(b) Suggested form letter is set forth below:
Police Letterhead
(Victim's Name) has reported the loss of stolen (license permit), (license), (registration), (plates), due to a crime-related incident on (date).
DATE SIGNATURE
BADGE NUMBER AND RANK