Registration Renewal in New York

Vehicle Registration Renewal in New York

Before your New York vehicle registration expires, you must renew it with the NY Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

On this page you'll find information about renewing your vehicle registration online, by mail, and in person.

NY Registration Renewal Notice

Before your NY vehicle registration expires, the New York DMV will mail you a renewal notice.

NOTE: You can receive your renewal notice by e-mail if you sign up for a My DMV account through the New York DMV website and request paperless notices.

You'll need to get a safety inspection and emissions test for your vehicle before you can renew your vehicle registration. These inspections are required every 12 months. For more information, please see the “NY Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspections" section below.

Renew Without a Notice

If you have lost or never received a registration renewal notice, you may be able to renew your New York vehicle registration:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • In person.

Online

If you didn't receive a renewal notice for any of the following reasons, you cannot renew online:

  • You changed your address, but haven't changed it with the New York DMV yet.
  • Your vehicle registration has been suspended or revoked.

To renew your NY registration online, see “ Renew Your NY Vehicle Registration" below.

By Mail & In Person

To renew your vehicle registration without your renewal notice by mail or in person, you'll need:

  • A completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82).
  • A photocopy of your New York driver's license.
    OR
  • Proof of your identity such as your:
  • Payment for your registration renewal and vehicle use tax, if applicable. (See “Fees to Renew NY Vehicle Registration" below.)

Take the above to your local New York DMV office, or mail them to:

NYSDMV
Utica Processing Center
207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501

Your renewed vehicle registration and license plate stickers will arrive in the mail. To check the status of your renewal, please contact the DMV.

NOTE: If you want to receive your registration at a different address from what is on your registration, you must include a separate piece of paper specifying your mailing address. Do not write it on the Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82).

Renew Your NY Vehicle Registration

If you have your renewal notice, you can renew your vehicle registration either online, by mail, or in person.

DID YOU KNOW?: Proof of car insurance may be REQUIRED when renewing your registration!

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Online

You can renew your NY vehicle registration online if:

  • You have not changed your address since your last renewal.
  • You have a passenger vehicle, small commercial vehicle, small trailer, or road motorcycle.

To renew online, visit the New York DMV website and enter your:

  • Vehicle's NY license plate number and class.
  • Last name.
  • Zip code.
  • E-mail address.
  • Credit/debit card details. (See the “Fees to Renew NY Vehicle Registration" section below.)

You can print a temporary registration certificate to use until you receive your registration sticker in the mail.

By Mail

To renew your NY vehicle registration by mail, follow the instructions on your renewal notice.

Send your registration renewal notice and payment (see the “ Fees to Renew NY Vehicle Registration" section below) to the address specified on the notice.

You should receive your new registration documents and license plate sticker in the mail.

In Person

To renew your NY vehicle registration in person, visit your local New York DMV office with:

  • Your renewal notice or a completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82).
  • Your New York driver license.
  • Payment. (See the “Fees to Renew NY Vehicle Registration" section below.)

Fees to Renew NY Vehicle Registration

Your vehicle registration renewal fee will differ depending on the weight of the vehicle you own.

NOTE: Your NY DMV registration renewal notice will let you know the fees you owe.

  • 1,650 lbs. or less: $26.
  • 1,751 to 1,850 lbs.: $29.
  • 1,951 to 2,050 lbs.: $32.50.
  • 2,551 to 2,650 lbs.: $42.
  • 2,951 to 3,050 lbs.: $48.50.
  • 4,051 to 4,150 lbs.: $71.

For a complete list of registration renewal fees in New York, please see the NY DMV website.

Your county may also require you to pay a vehicle use tax ranging from $5 to $25 per year. To see the specific vehicle use tax for your county, please see the NY DMV website.

Duplicate Registration Documents, License Plates, and Stickers

It will cost you the following fees to replace any registration documents or a license plate:

  • Replacement registration card and license plate sticker: $3.
  • Replace 2 license plates: $25.
  • Replace 1 license plate only: $12.50.

Accepted Forms of Payment

For online registration renewals, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles accepts payment by the following credit/debit cards:

  • American Express.
  • Discover.
  • MasterCard.
  • Visa.

For vehicle registration renewals by mail, the NY DMV accepts check or money order made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."

For vehicle registration transactions made in person, the New York DMV accepts:

  • Cash.
  • Check/money order payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."
  • Credit/debit card.

Military Member Vehicle Registration Renewal

If you are an active duty military member stationed out of state and your vehicle registration expires, you can still renew it up to 60 days after returning to New York.

You can also have a family member complete your vehicle registration renewal for you while you are out of state. They will need to visit a New York DMV office in person with:

NY Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspections

You must have your vehicle(s) pass a safety inspection and emissions test, also known as an on-board diagnostic system inspection (OBD II) every 12 months.

Your vehicle is exempt from an emissions test, or OBD II, if it:

  • Is less than 2 years old.
  • Is more than 25 years old.
  • Is diesel-powered and is older than model year 8,501 lbs. or heavier (vehicle may be required to have OBDII emissions inspection).
  • Is electric.
  • Is a motorcycle.
  • Has historical license plates.
  • Is required to pass a heavy-vehicle inspection.

To get your vehicle tested, visit a licensed inspection station.

The NY DMV website provides more information on safety inspections in New York , including costs.

Replacement Registration or License Plates

If your registration card or license plate sticker is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement online, by mail, or in person. You can only replace your NY license plates in person.

Online

To request a replacement registration card or sticker online, visit the New York DMV website and provide your:

  • License plate number.
  • Vehicle class.
  • Last name.
  • Zip code.
  • E-mail address.
  • Payment. (See the “Fees to Renew Your NY Vehicle Registration" section above.)

By Mail or In Person

To request replacements of your registration certificate, sticker, or license plate by mail or in person, you'll need:

Take the above to your local New York DMV office or mail it to:

NYSDMV Port Jefferson Office
Utica Processing Center
207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501

NOTE: If your registration documents were stolen, ask your local police agency to complete form MV-78B. You will not need to pay a replacement fee if you submit this form with the other documents above to the NY DMV.

New York Registration Renewal: FAQs

How do I renew my car registration in New York?

To renew your car registration in New York, gather your plate number and registration class and payment for your renewal fee. You can either renew online, by mail, or in person—if renewing via mail or in office, you'll also need a renewal application.

Is there a grace period for expired tags in New York?

There is no grace period for a NY vehicle registration, but you can still renew your registration for up to 1 year after its expiration without needing to re-register all over again.

Can I renew my NY registration online?

Most New York car registrations can be renewed online.

Forms

MV-82
Vehicle Registration/Title Application
Application for NY title (original or replacement), registration (original, renewal, duplicate, or corrected), OR plate transfers.
MV-78B
Police Report Stolen License Plates, Driver's License, Commercial Driver's License, Documents
Submit this form to the NY DMV to request a free replacement of stolen license plates OR driver's license. Must be obtained and completed at a police agency. Not available online.
MV-454
Affirmation for Renewal/Lost Registration for Absentee Owner
Use this form to verify a member of the military (stationed outside of New York) has given you permission to use AND renew their car%u2019s registration (if applicable).
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