Amid an intense public backlash, the Cuomo administration softened its stance Thursday on requiring motorists to cough up $25 to replace old license plates.

“The hypocrisy and misstatements from certain legislators seeking cheap press hits are irresponsible and need to be clarified,” Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder seethed.

But he then invited legislators critical of the move to work out a compromise.

“If the legislature can agree to a cost-effective and practical plate inspection mechanism to determine what plates are still in good operating condition after the 10-year life and thus do not need to be replaced, we would welcome the opportunity to be cooperative,” Schroeder said.

“The 10-year life replacement program does not go into effect until next April so we have time to work with the legislature to explore alternatives. We support reducing costs wherever possible,” he said.

The license plate program revealed last week mandates all drivers with plates aged 10 years and up be swapped for new ones costing $25 starting April 1, 2020 — and $20 extra to keep the old number.

Former Gov. David Paterson and the legislature granted the DMV authority to charge a fee “not to exceed $25.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has borne the brunt of the criticism for pushing for replacement program, has argued cashless tolling technology can’t read the plates presently on driver’s vehicles.

And he claims he’s not responsible for the $25 fee.

“So I didn’t set the $25, it’s been there since before I was governor. A Democratic senator said it. I said, `You passed it, it’s your fault.’ You want to come back in a special session and change it? Come tomorrow. I welcome you,” Cuomo said Thursday during a WAMC radio interview.

He pointed fingers at several lawmakers by name — including critics like Hudson Valley state Senators David Carlucci (D-Rockland) and James Skoufis (D-Woodbury), who have backed legislation saying drivers don’t need to replace the plates if they’re up to snuff.

But some lawmakers argue the Cuomo camp is still missing the point.

Upstate Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Schenectady) told The Post Schroeder is defending a “flawed” program, arguing the intended compromise to work with the legislature is unnecessary.

“Nobody is taking issue with replacing damaged plates, people already go in [to the DMV] and pay the fee and replace them,” he said.

“We already have the inspection process. Vehicles are inspected top to bottom … this is one of the things they look at already. We already paid an inspection fee. So it’s another excuse. He should know that vehicles are inspected in this state.”

Others argued that Cuomo is trying to deflect blame.

“The governor is playing political games and ignoring the fact that he could eliminate this fee today if that’s what he truly wanted to do,” state Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said.

Several other states, like Alabama, do have mandatory plate replacements on the books.