New York Vehicle Registration

Mandatory Insurance for Vehicle Registration

Owners must have auto liability insurance coverage to register a vehicle in New York. This insurance must stay active while the vehicle registration is valid and be issued in the registrant's name by a company licensed by the Department of Financial Services and licensed by the DMV.

When registering a vehicle, the vehicle owner's auto liability insurance must meet specific minimum coverage requirements. These include $50,000 for physical injury and $100,000 for death when multiple individuals are involved in an accident. For accidents involving a single person, the minimum coverage is $25,000 for physical injury and $50,000 for death.

Furthermore, the insurance must provide at least $10,000 in liability coverage for property loss in a single accident.

Vehicle Registration for New Residents

When moving to New York, new residents have 30 days to register their automobiles with the local DMV office. Like existing state residents, they must also obtain NYS auto insurance and provide an NYS Insurance Identification Card (Form FS-20) before registering their vehicle.

Additionally, new residents must fill out Form MV-82, present proof of identification, and submit out-of-state vehicle ownership documents. However, if an individual purchased the vehicle before moving to New York, they may fill out and submit the Claim for Sales Tax Exemption (Form DTF-803) to avoid paying taxes.

After submitting the required paperwork, new residents must pay the registration fees based on their vehicle's weight to finalize the registration process.

Vehicle Registration for Military Members

In New York, active-duty military members stationed in another state are exempt from registering their vehicles with the local DMV office. Nonetheless, they can register their vehicles upon returning to the state. Similarly, military personnel stationed in New York do not need to register their vehicles in the state as long as they do not claim residency.

However, those who decide to register their vehicles while stationed out-of-state can defer taxes on their vehicles, provided they do not reside in New York during that time. To defer taxes, they must complete and submit Form DTF-803.

Registration of Vehicles Purchased from a Dealership in New York

When purchasing a vehicle from a car dealership in New York, the registration process is straightforward, as the dealership typically handles submitting all the necessary information to the DMV on the customer's behalf. They can also provide temporary vehicle registration certificates and license plates that their customers can utilize.

However, if customers decide to register the vehicle themselves, they must visit their local DMV office and provide the following documents:

• Bill of Sale (Form MV-912)
• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin from the selling dealer
• Proof of identification
• Form FS-20
• Proof of sales tax payment
• A completed Form MV-82

After presenting these required documents, customers must pay the registration fees and taxes to complete the registration process.

Registration of Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party in New York

Registering a vehicle purchased from a private party in New York is straightforward. To register the vehicle, the buyer must visit their local DMV and provide the following:

• Signed vehicle title and bill of sale
• Filled out damage disclosure and odometer statement on the back of the title
• Form FS-20
• A completed Form MV-82
• Proof of identification and date of birth
• Payment of the sales tax, with both the buyer and seller completing Form DTF-802
• Payment of the New York vehicle registration fees

However, note that a vehicle inspection is mandatory in New York when purchasing a vehicle from a private party for the title transfer process. Thus, after completing the registration process, the buyer will receive an inspection extension sticker and must get the vehicle inspected within ten days after registration.

Registration of Imported Vehicle in New York

Registering an imported vehicle in New York requires the vehicle to meet the state's safety and emissions standards and complete the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) process.

In addition to these requirements, the individual must submit to the DMV acceptable proof of ownership for the imported vehicle and all other documents needed to register a vehicle in the state. They must also provide the DMV with the following acceptable U.S. CBP documents:

• Customs Declaration (CBP Form 6059B)
• Declaration for Free Entry of Returned American Products (CBP Form 3311)
• Collection Receipt or Informal Entry (CBP Form 368)
• Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501)
• Entry and Manifest of Merchandise Free of Duty, Carrier's Certificate of Release (CBP Form 7523)
• Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles (CBP Form 3299)

By fulfilling these requirements, individuals can successfully register their imported vehicle in New York.

Registering a Vehicle for Someone Else in New York

In New York, an individual can register a vehicle on behalf of someone else. When this occurs, the person applying for the vehicle registration at a DMV office must show proof of identity for both themselves and the registrant.

The only acceptable forms of proof of identity are the most recently issued and original copies of the following:

• NYS Non-Driver ID Card
• NYS Learner Permit
• NYS Driver License

When registering a vehicle for someone else, the second party must have a power of attorney to sign a form on behalf of the registrant. However, the registrant may still fill out and sign the required forms themselves to avoid providing this document.

For situations where the registrant is a military member stationed out-of-state, the second party can visit the DMV office and use the following forms:

• Form MV-456
• Form MV-454

This process ensures proper documentation when an individual registers a vehicle for someone else in the state.

Registering While Out-of-State in New York

Out-of-state vehicle owners in New York can easily register their cars by mail. To do so, they must send the following documents to the DMV:

• A completed Form MV-82
• Payment for sales tax
• Original copies of proof of ownership
• Photocopies of proof of identity
• Proof of NYS insurance

Once these documents are submitted, individuals must wait six weeks to receive their registration documents by mail. They must allow 90 days for this document to arrive for their certificate of title. Note, however, that if individuals are outside the U.S., it may take longer to receive these documents.

Registering a Newly Purchased Vehicle Without a Title in New York

Typically, when an individual first registers a vehicle they bought in New York, they must present the DMV with either a title or a transferable registration signed over to them as proof of ownership. However, there are certain situations where the individual may not have the vehicle's title.

If this occurs, the interested individual must contact the Title Bureau at 1-518-486-4714. They can also visit the department's official website, which provides information and guidance.

Registering a Vehicle With More Than One Owner

Registering a vehicle with multiple owners in New York is similar to registering a vehicle with a single owner. The difference is that both the primary registrant and the co-registrant must sign Form MV-82 and provide their proof of identity and birthdate. Their names must also be on the Form FS-20.

If only one of the registrants is the owner, the owner must fill out box three on Form MV-82. In cases with more than two registrants, they must fill out the Statement of Partnership or Joint Ownership (Form MV-83T).

On the other hand, a vehicle registered for a partnership must provide proof of a legal partnership. Similarly, if individuals register a vehicle for a corporation, they must also provide proof of incorporation.

New York License Plates

When registering a vehicle in New York, the DMV issues a standard license plate, which is a metal plate attached to the automobile, for authorized identification. In addition to the standard plate, the department provides various specialty license plate options that individuals can choose from.

In New York, specialty plates are standard series plates with a combination of letters and numbers that individuals can select for an added fee beyond their regular vehicle registration cost.

These plates are created flat, without embossed characters, and categorized into different types, such as those representing professions, sports, causes, and organizations.

How To Obtain Vanity License Plates in New York?

To obtain a vanity or personalized license plate in New York, interested individuals must visit the "Order Personalized Plates" service on the state DMV's official website.

To use this service, they must have a valid vehicle registration in the motorcycle, commercial, or passenger registration class that does not expire within 60 days. Their vehicle registration record must also match their current name if it has changed, and the mailing address on their record must be their current one.

Additionally, they must provide the first three letters of their last name, their three-letter registration class code, and their current plate number. They also need a credit card the department accepts and a valid email address for validation.

Alternatively, interested individuals may acquire vanity plates by mailing an Application for Custom Plates form to the department. They may also call the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 or visit their local DMV office.

Individuals can use up to eight characters, including numbers, letters, or spaces, on their personalized license plate. Additionally, they may choose to add one state spacer image, which is optional but will count as one of the eight characters if used.

Online Renewal

Vehicle owners in New York can renew their registration online up to one year after the expiration date through the New York Renew Registration system. To use this service, they need to enter the last name on the registration, the registration number, and the registration class, and they must utilize a debit or credit card for payment.

Once renewed, they can print a temporary registration that is valid until the new documents arrive by mail, which is helpful if the registration has expired or is nearing expiration. However, some vehicles, such as semi-trailers with 6-year registrations, for-hire vehicles requiring proof of insurance, and fee-exempt vehicles, require in-person renewal at a DMV office.

In-Person Renewal

Individuals who need to renew their vehicle registration in person or prefer the traditional method can visit their local DMV office.

At the DMV office, they must bring their registration renewal notice (Form OP-3 or Form MV-3) along with the required payment. If they do not have the renewal notice, they can complete and submit Form MV-82.

By Mail

Vehicle owners in New York who received Form OP-3 or Form MV-3 can renew their registration by mailing the bottom portion of their notice to the address listed on the document. They must also include a money order or a personal check payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles along with the document.

Conversely, individuals who did not receive Form OP-3 or MV-3 can renew their vehicle registration by filling out and submitting Form MV-82. If they are unsure of the correct amount to renew, they can send a check payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles without specifying the exact amount.