New York Vehicle Registration

Registering a Vehicle in New York

In New York, you must register your vehicle(s) through your local NY DMV office.

The registration process will differ depending on whether you purchased the vehicle from a New York car dealer or from a private-party seller, and whether you are a current resident or new to New York.

What to bring to the NY DMV:

• A valid driver’s license. May NOT be expired for more than 2 years.
• A completed Vehicle Registration / Title Application (Form MV-82).
• A New York state insurance card.
• Proof of vehicle ownership.
• Acceptable form of payment for fees and taxes, and/or other applicable sales and use tax.

For further information on registering a vehicle in New York, please read on. Alternatively, you can watch our YouTube video on the topic for a more streamlined DMV process.

Registering Vehicles Purchased from a NY Dealer

When you purchase a vehicle from a licensed dealership in New York, they will usually take care of most of the registration process for you. The dealer will submit all necessary documents to NYSDMV on your behalf. Most car dealers have the authority to issue temporary NT registration and plates, until your permanent decals arrive by mail. The dealership may charge a fee for this service.

If the dealer is not completing the registration process on your behalf, you must visit a nearby NY DMV office and bring:

• A completed New York Application for Vehicle Registration/Title (Form MV-82).
  • If the vehicle was purchased outside of NY, present the Certificate of Title with both your signature and the signature of the seller or lienholder.
• NY driver license OR Non-Driver ID.
• An original Bill of Sale from the dealer.
• The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO).
• Proof of NY state car insurance.
  • You cannot register your car unless you have car insurance issued in the state of NY. New York does not accept out-of-state vehicle insurance. (Form FS-20).
• Additional paperwork given to you by the dealer.
• A completed Claim and Use Tax Exemption (Form DTF-803) if you have already paid sales tax to the dealer.
• Pay the current required NY car registration fees, which are calculated by your vehicle’s weight, license fee, sales/use tax if applicable and any other required fees.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party

In New York, if you purchase a vehicle from an individual, the process is similar to purchasing from a dealer except, you must obtain a safety inspection from a DMV-authorized NY inspection station. Vehicles must have this inspection done every 12 months or upon a change in ownership of the vehicle. You have 10 days to get this inspection done from the time of registration.

To register your vehicle, visit your local NY DMV office and present:

• A completed New York Application for Vehicle Registration/Title (Form MV-82).
• The original NY state title showing transfer of ownership, signed by the previous owner.
  • If the vehicle is from out-of-state, you must present an original signed title from that state, also signed by the previous owner. In some cases the transfer section must be notarized, depending on the origin state of the vehicle.
  • If the vehicle is less than 20 years old, the seller must complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement on the back of the title.
  • If the title was transferred to the seller by another person, the seller must apply for a new title using the Application for Title Only (Form MV-82TON) before transferring the title to the new buyer.
• A Bill of Sale (Form MV-912), signed by the previous owner.
• Payment for NY car registration fees, use tax and any applicable fees.

Insurance Requirements

To register a vehicle in the state of New York, you must have NY-state issued car insurance.

Drivers in New York must maintain this car insurance coverage whether the vehicle is being driven or not. If you fail to maintain the insurance coverage, the New York DMV can suspend your vehicle registration and NY driver’s license. If needed, you can check your NY driving record.

Registration for Modified Vehicles

Modifying a car, pick-up truck, or van can affect its registration class in New York. For any vehicle modifications, you must obtain a vehicle weight slip. You can get a weight certificate from most mechanics, vehicle scrap yards, and some auto parts stores.

Below are a few examples of modifications that can change registration class in New York:.

• Modifications that change a passenger vehicle to a commercial vehicle:
  • If you remove all seats behind the driver’s seat and install a permanent cargo box in place of seats, you can register the vehicle as commercial.
  • You can register a station wagon as a commercial vehicle if you remove all seats behind the driver.
• Modifications that change a commercial vehicle to a passenger vehicle:
  • You can register a modified pick-up truck with an unladen weight greater than 6,000 pounds in the ‘passenger’ class if it meets the following criteria:
    • It is used exclusively for non-commercial purposes.
    • A camper top completely encloses the truck bed.
    • The truck bed has seats installed in it.
  • You can register a van as a passenger vehicle if:
    • There is at least 1 side window behind the driver and at least 1 seat behind the driver.
    • You installed camping equipment behind the driver.

Vehicle Registration for New Residents

New to New York?

New York law requires you to register vehicles with out-of-state registration within 30 days of becoming a
NY resident (e.g., employment, home lease or purchase, enrolling yourself or children in school, etc.)

The process for an out-of-state registration is similar to that of a NY resident with a few differences.

You’ll need to visit your local NY DMV office and present your:

• Completed Application for Vehicle Registration/Title (Form MV-82).
• New York State Insurance Identification Card (Form FS-20).
• Current out-of-state license – may NOT be expired for more than 2 years.
• Out-of-state vehicle title.
• If the out-of-state title has a lien on it, you must present:
  • A copy of the vehicle title with your name on it from the lienholder
  • A certification from the lienholder that the title is a copy of the original title.
  • NOTE: The copy of the title and the certification of the lienholder must be on the same piece of paper.
• You must also present a statement with the following information on the letterhead of the lienholder:
  • Identification of the owner, year, make, and VIN of the vehicle.
  • It must state the lienholder holds the original title and understands the owner will use the documents to register in New York State
  • This statement cannot request to notify the lienholder when you register the vehicle in New York, as the New York DMV will not provide this service.
• A completed Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption (Form DTF-803).

NY Registration for Military Drivers

In New York, the process for vehicle registration for military personnel is similar to that of a civilian driver. Military members do qualify for various exemptions outlined below.

Registration for Non-Residents

Service members who are stationed in New York but reside in another state are not required to register their vehicles in NY. If they become a resident of the state, they’ll need NY car registration.

Registration for New York Residents

Service members living in New York who apply for NY vehicle registration are eligible for a full exemption of New York State sales and use tax on vehicles purchased out of state.
The following conditions apply:

• Sales and use tax must have been paid in the state where the vehicle was originally titled. You must provide receipts as proof that these taxes were paid.
• The exemption only applies if the registrant is a military member, and he or she was the original purchaser of the vehicle out-of-state.
• Complete a Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption (Form DTF-803).
• Present a military ID.

If you are a resident of the state of New York but are stationed outside of New York, you can register your vehicle in the state where you are. This is preferable. In the case that you must register your vehicle in New York, you can do so via a Second Party Registration. This means that another person can register the vehicle for you. This individual must present:

• Affirmation for Renewal of Registration for Absentee Owner (Form MV-454).
• Certification of Disposition of Vehicle on Behalf of Absentee Owner (Form MV-456).

If the second party completes either of the above forms, then the registrant’s NY State Driver License, Permit, or Non-Driver ID and signature are not required. See Absentee Registrations below to learn more about the requirements.

Military Vehicle Tax Deferment

If you are an active duty military member and a resident of New York but reside outside of New York, you can defer your NY vehicle sales tax payments. However, you’ll need to pay the sales tax when you leave the military or upon returning to New York. Importantly, you may NOT maintain a residence in NY during the time you are stationed outside New York.

To apply for the deferment, you must submit a Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption (Form DTF-803) when you register your vehicle at your nearest NY DMV office.

Absentee Registrations

New York residents who are not able to register their vehicles in person may have another person register on their behalf. There are certain requirements that must be fulfilled.

• The person who is registering on your behalf must present their original NY State driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID card. They cannot present a copy.
• They must present either a photocopy or the original registrant’s NY state driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID.
• The secondary party must present the following forms which must be completed and signed by the registrant:
  • Application for Vehicle Registration/Title (Form MV-82)
  • Statement of Transaction (Form DTF-802)
  • Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption (Form DTF-803).
  • Claim for Credit of Sales Tax Paid to Another State (Form DTF-804).
  • Proof of vehicle ownership
  • Proof of NY state car insurance.
  • Payment for NY car registration fees, use tax and any other applicable fees. If the registrant is a member of the US military and absent from the state, the secondary party will need to present the following:
• Affirmation for Renewal of Registration for Absentee Owner (Form MV-454)
• Certification of Disposition of Vehicle on Behalf of Absentee Owner (Form MV-456)

Complete Your Registration by Mail

To complete your NY registration application by mail, you must complete and submit all of the forms mentioned above (see Absentee Registrations) and:

• Mail everything via express, certified mail with copies of your proof of identity.
• Payment for NY vehicle registration fees and use taxes to your local NY DMV office. To determine estimated registration fees, you can use the New York DMV Fee Calculator.

When your application has been processed by the NY DMV (allow approximately 6 weeks), you will receive the following documents by mail:

• Your registration documents.
• Your vehicle plates.
• A 10-day Inspection Extension Sticker (Form VS-1077).

The NY DMV will send your title separately. Allow up to 90 days from the date the DMV received your documents.