Other Vehicle Registrations in New York

SUMMARY: How to Register Other Vehicle Types in New York

Special vehicles, including ATVs, recreational vehicles, custom-built cars, and snowmobiles, must be registered with the NY DMV. Be prepared to have your vehicle's title, any bills of sale, and payment for your registration fees. Some vehicles will require extra steps, such as additional application forms for registering a homemade trailer.

Off-road does not mean off-radar with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You still must register off-road transportation including all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobiles.

And while trailers are not considered off-road vehicles, they are considered registration-worthy by the DMV.

ATV Registration

You must register your ATV even if you restrict its use to retrieving mail from the end of your own driveway. There are a few exemptions, however. You do not have to register if your ATV is used exclusively:

Outside of New York State.
To plow snow.
For agricultural purposes.
As transportation at special events.

To register you must visit a DMV office and:

Complete the Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82).
Provide proof of identity.
Provide proof of ownership.
- If the ATV is new bring in the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) and either, if applicable, an out-of-state title or a registration certificate.
- If the ATV is used you'll need to proffer a completed Certification of Sale or Transfer for 1972 or Older Vehicles or Any Other Non-Titled Vehicles (Form MV-51) along with the MCO, or a New York State transferable registration signed over to you by the previous owner.
- If the ATV has never been registered and you lack any of the above documents you will need to complete a Statement of Ownership for Non-Titled Vehicles, Boats, Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles (Form MV-51B).
Provide proof of sales tax payment if you're not exempt. A bill of sale or a sales tax payment receipt from the DMV will serve as sufficient proof.
Pay a $12.50 registration fee and a $12.50 license plate fee.

Other ATV Details

Both the license plate and registration decal must be affixed to the back of your ATV.
You cannot legally operate your ATV on public property without liability insurance. You must carry a minimum of $50,000/$100,000 for death, $25,000/$50,000 for injury, and $10,000 for property.
You do not need a driver's license to operate an ATV in New York State.
Drivers younger than 16 years old need to contact the DMV regarding restrictions.

NY Snowmobile Registration

If you plan on zooming your snowmobile on any New York State public property you will need to register it. If you're from out-of-state and plan to ride in New York you must still register it with New York's DMV even if your vehicle is registered with your home state.

To register you must visit a DMV office and:

Complete the Snowmobile Registration Application (Form MV-82SN).
Provide proof of identity.
Provide proof that you either paid the vehicle's sales tax or that you're exempt. If you are required to apply and you have yet to do so you'll need to complete form Statement of Transaction — Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile (Form DTF-802).
Provide proof of ownership.
Pay $65 registration fee if you re a member of the New York State Snowmobile Association and $135 if you are not a member.

Snowmobile registration numbers are permanent and must be affixed to both sides of your machine's hood. Before attaching be sure that:

The decal numbers are reflective.
The numbers are at least three inches tall and adhere to a block style.
The numbers are a different color from the hood.
A hyphen or a space divides the last number from the capital letters.

Snowmobile Registration Renewal

You can now renew your snowmobile's registration online.

Trailer Registration

Not all trailers have to be registered in New York State. Before hurrying to a DMV office to register check the DMV's list Trailer-Type Vehicles Not Requiring Registration to see if you are exempt.

Homemade and Custom-Built Trailers

Homemade and custom-built trailers, however, need to be registered. But before you ink your name to any forms be sure your trailer complies with the DMV's Equipment Required for Trailers.

Vehicle Identification Number Requirements

You will need a vehicle identification number (VIN) for your trailer before registering. To obtain this you must first determine your trailer's unladen weight by weighing it on a certified scale and receiving a certified weight slip.

For questions contact New York State's Department of Agriculture and Markets at (800) 554-4501.

Trailer Weight for VIN

If your trailer weighs less than 1,000 lbs you must visit a DMV office and complete the Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer (Form MV-272). Make sure you have proof of ownership and identification. If everything looks to be in order you'll be assigned a VIN which must be permanently attached (consider welding) to your trailer.

If your trailer weighs 1,000 lbs or more you will need to visit a DMV office and grab an Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer (Form MV-272) and a New York State Insurance Identification Card form (neither can be downloaded). Follow the instructions on the form.

Trailer Inspection for VIN

The DMV will then mail you information on when and where to get your trailer inspected along with a Temporary Transport Permit (Form MV-82ITP). Be sure to bring to the inspection receipts for the parts you used to craft your trailer. If you pass the DMV will validate your VIN application form and assign a VIN.

Be sure to retain your validated VIN application. You'll need this as proof during registration.

Registration Process

Take to a DMV office the following:

A completed Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer (Form MV-272) if your trailer weighs less than 1,000 lbs.
A completed Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer if your trailer weighs 1,000 lbs. or more AND a proof of insurance.
Receipts for the parts and materials you used to build your trailer.
The original weight slip.
A Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82).
Either a Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption- Title/Registration (Form DTF-803) or a Sales Tax Receipt (Form FS-6T).
Proof of identification.
Cash, check, or credit card to pay all applicable fees. Your fee is based on your trailer's maximum gross weight (MGW).

You'll then be issued a license plate, a plate sticker, and a registration certificate.

If your trailer's unladen weight is below 1,000 lbs., your registration will be stamped "transferable." This will serve as your permanent proof of ownership.

If your trailer's unladen weight is 1,000 lbs. or more, your registration will be stamped "non-transferable." This is a temporary document. Your permanent title and registration certificate will arrive in the mail within 45 days.

RV and Motorhome Registration

If you have a motorhome or recreational vehicle (RV) in New York, the DMV requires that you register it before taking it out on the road. Due to an excess in weight, your RV or motorhome may be subject to heavy vehicle inspection requirements as determined by the International Registration Plan (IRP). For more information, you can visit the NY DMV's IRP page, or contact the DMV directly.

Custom-Built Cars

Registering your custom-built vehicle in New York follows a different process to registering a regular car. The NY DMV offers a convenient application package with all the documents you need, which you can request by calling (518) 474-5282 or mailing:

Vehicle Safety Technical Services, Room 220C
Albany, NY 12228

Some of the steps you'll need to take to register your custom car include:

Obtaining a weight certificate.
Taking photos of your car.
Having your vehicle examined to obtain a vehicle identification number (VIN).
Having your vehicle pass a safety inspection.

All of the information and forms you'll need will be included in your application package. For more information, refer to the NY DMV Instructions for Registering a Homemade Vehicle.

NY Scooter and Moped Registration

You must register a moped or scooter in New York following the same guidelines as motorcycle registration.

Depending on the class of moped you have, you will need at least a regular learner's permit or driver's license. Some mopeds require a motorcycle license or permit to operate.

You'll find more detailed information on our scooters and mopeds page.

Forms

MV-82: Vehicle Registration/Title Application; Application for NY title (original or replacement), registration (original, renewal, duplicate, or corrected), OR plate transfers.

MV-82SN: Snowmobile Registration Application; Application to register your snowmobile with the NY Department of Motor Vehicles.

MV-272: Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer; Submit this form to the New York DMV to request a vehicle identification number (VIN) for a homemade trailer.

DTF-802: Statement of Transaction; Submit this form to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance if a vehicle was sold OR gifted without collecting sales tax.

MV-82ITP: In-Transit Permit/Title Application; Apply for temporary registration on a vehicle you plan on transporting out-of-state OR within New York.

DTF-803: Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption - Title/Registration; Use this form if you have grounds for exemption from sales and use taxes on a vehicle you're titling/registering.

MV-51: Certification of Sale or Transfer for 1972 or Older Vehicles or Any Other Non-Titled Vehicles; Use this form to certify the transfer of ownership of an older vehicle in New York.