Car Registration

You must register and title your motor vehicle with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as you purchase it. The DMV will issue you a new title in your name, a registration document, and two license plates (only one plate for motorcycles and trailers). You must renew the vehicle's registration every two years thereafter.

First-time registrations must be done in person or online (see below), but registration renewals may be handled in person, online, by phone, or through the mail. You must register passenger cars, pickup trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and motorboats.

Title

The title is the official proof of ownership for a motor vehicle and differs from a registration, which entitles a driver to operate the vehicle on public roads. Under most circumstances you will apply for the title and registration simultaneously.

The DMV will issue a Certificate of Title (MV-999) for most motor vehicles of model year 1973 or newer, motorboats of model year 1987 or newer that are at least 14 feet long, and manufactured homes of model year 1995 or newer that are at least eight feet wide or 40 feet long or with an area of at least 320 square feet when installed on site.

New York does not issue titles for 1972 or older motor vehicles, trailers weighing less than 1,000 pounds unladen, or limited-use motorcycles (mopeds). You will use your Certificate of Title to sign ownership over to the new owner should you sell or otherwise transfer ownership of the vehicle, and the new owner will then have the DMV issue a new title in their name.

First-time Title and Registration

A licensed dealer will handle the initial title and registration for you in most cases, but if you buy from a private seller you will need to take care of this yourself. As soon as you purchase a vehicle, bring proof of ownership to your insurance company to purchase insurance. You are required to provide the DMV with a copy of your New York State Insurance Identification Card (FS-20) in order to register the vehicle. Your insurance questions may be answered on the DMV's related FAQ page.

Once you've sorted out your insurance, appear at a local DMV office with the following:

• Proof of ownership

• Odometer and damage disclosure statements

• New York State Insurance Identification Card (FS-20)

• Proof of your identity and date of birth

• Form MV-82 (read instructions for filling out this Vehicle Registration/Title Application)

• Payment for the registration fee, sales tax, the fee to transfer the vehicle plates or registration, the $50 title certificate fee, and automobile use tax. The DMV accepts cash, personal checks, credit cards, or money orders and asks that you don't fill out the amount until they have evaluated your application.

• Proof of sales tax payment, sales tax exemption, or purchase price. This is what the DMV will use to calculate any sales tax you must pay.

The DMV will then issue you one or two vehicle plates, a registration sticker for the vehicle, and a registration document that you should keep in the vehicle. If you bought the vehicle from a private party rather than a dealer, you'll also receive an inspection extension sticker giving you 10 days to get the vehicle inspected.

To speed up the process at the DMV if you bought the vehicle from a private seller, you may prepare for your visit using the DMV's online EZ-Visit registration application. You will still need to appear at the DMV.

The registration process varies in some situations, such as for a vehicle that has more than one owner, that is out of state, or that was imported from another country. To find out how to register your particular vehicle, peruse the topics on the DMV's Vehicle Registration & Title page.

Registration Renewal

The New York DMV offers online registration renewal, which―as long as your address hasn't changed―you may use for a passenger vehicle, a small commercial vehicle, a small trailer, or a motorcycle that you did not remove from the road.

Alternatively, renewal by mail is a common option. The DMV will send you a renewal notice 45 to 60 days before your registration expires, and you should follow the instructions on the notice. If you didn't receive a notice, check out the DMV's related information page.

You may also renew by telephone by calling (518) 402-4838 and paying an additional $5 fee for the phone transaction. Finally, you can always renew in person at the local DMV office using the renewal form you received in the mail or by filling out Form MV-82.

Non-Operational Vehicles

If you take your vehicle off the road, you will need to turn in the plates when you cancel the registration and insurance. When surrendering your plates, be sure to ask the DMV official for a receipt for transfer. You'll need this form to re-register.

Standard license plates will be destroyed. Personalized and custom plates will be stored. When it comes time to reinstate your registration, you must apply at the DMV office where you surrendered your personalized or custom plates.

Reinstating a Non-Operational Vehicle's Registration

Bring to the DMV office:

• A completed Application for Registration or Title.

• The receipt you received when you handed in your plates.

• Proof of insurance.

• Proof of identity and date of birth.

• Cash or check to pay all applicable fees.

For more information, call (518) 402-4838.

RELATED REGISTRATION LINKS

• Title Transfers
• Boat Registration
• RV & Motorhome Registration
• Custom-Built Car Registration
• Smog & Emission Checks
• License Plates & Placards
• Registration FAQs