A registration allows a vehicle to be driven on public roads and highways. A title certificate proves who owns the vehicle. In New York, only 1973 and newer model vehicles receive titles. For 1972 and older models, the registration is the proof of ownership.

You must be at least 16 years old to register a vehicle. A new resident of the state must obtain a New York registration within 30 days of establishing residence.

To Register a Vehicle

To register a vehicle, you must prove you own the vehicle or that the owner authorizes you to register it, that the vehicle is insured, that the state and county sales taxes have been paid, and provide any required mileage and/or damage disclosure statement. If the ownership proofs listed below are not available from the seller, contact any motor vehicle office or a DMV Call Center before you buy the vehicle.

To apply for registration, you must complete a Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82). You must also present proof of identity worth six points. For additional information about these requirements, please refer to the information guide Registering A Vehicle In New York State (MV-82.1), available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, and at any motor vehicle office. When your vehicle is registered, you will receive license plates, a registration receipt, and a registration sticker for the windshield or license plate. If you bought the vehicle from someone other than a dealership, you will also receive a ten-day inspection extension sticker upon request when you register the vehicle. You must then have the vehicle inspected within 10 days from the date of registration. It should already have a valid inspection sticker if you bought the vehicle from a dealer.

When you buy a new or used vehicle from a dealer registered with the DMV, the dealer may register the vehicle for you and give you a temporary registration and, if you need them, new license plates. The dealer may charge $20 for this service in addition to registration, plate and title fees. If your vehicle is a 1973 or newer model, your title certificate will be mailed to you from Albany several weeks after the vehicle is registered.

Proof of Ownership

If you purchase your vehicle from a New York State registered dealer, the proof of ownership for a new vehicle will be a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) and a dealer's Certificate of Sale (MV-50). For a used 1973 or newer vehicle, proof of ownership is the previous owner's Certificate of Title (MV-999), the appropriate odometer and salvage disclosure statement, and the dealer's Certificate of Sale (MV-50). For a used 1972 or older vehicle, proof of ownership is the dealer's Certificate of Sale (MV-50) and the previous owner's transferable registration signed over to the dealer.

If the dealer does not register the vehicle for you, make sure you receive the ownership documents listed above. In any case, examine the ownership documents carefully before closing the deal.

If you buy a used vehicle from a dealer registered outside New York State — the proof of ownership is the prior owner's title certificate or transferable registration signed over to you, plus the dealer's bill of sale and/or invoice and other proofs from the dealer.

For a used vehicle bought from a private seller — the proof of ownership is the "Certificate of Title" (MV-999), or a transferable registration for 1972 or older models, signed over to you. The seller must complete, and you must acknowledge by signing, the appropriate odometer and damage disclosure statements.

Before you accept the title certificate from any seller, check the front of the title for the names and addresses of "lien" holders. A lien indicates the current owner owes money on a loan for the vehicle. If a lien is listed on the title, ask the seller to give you proof the lien has been paid — in most cases, it will be an official lien release from the lender. If proof is not provided and the loan has not be paid, the lien holder could repossess the vehicle from you.

A motor vehicle office will not accept a title certificate if the appropriate odometer or damage disclosure statement is not completed, or if any information on the title is altered, erased, or crossed out, including any name or signature.

Disclosure Statements —

• If you buy a vehicle eight model years old or newer, the DMV will NOT register your vehicle or issue you a new title certificate unless the seller has completed, and you have signed, both the odometer and the damage disclosure statements on the reverse of the vehicle's Certificate of Title (MV-999) or have attached a completed odometer and damage disclosure on an Odometer And Damage Disclosure Statement (MV-103). This statement indicates whether or not the vehicle's new title certificate should be branded "Rebuilt Salvage." Title branding is explained in detail in the publications Let The Buyer Be Aware (C-18) and Q & A About Your Vehicle Title (C-19). An Odometer And Damage Disclosure Statement (MV-103) is available at any motor vehicle office, by request from a DMV Call Center, or from the DMV Internet Office.
  
   
• If you buy a vehicle 10 model years old or newer, be sure the private seller has completed the odometer statement portion on the back of the vehicle's Certificate of Title (MV-999) or has attached to the title certificate a completed mileage disclosure on an Odometer And Damage Disclosure Statement (MV-103). The damage disclosure is not required for vehicles nine model years old or older. As buyer, you must confirm the odometer statement as indicated on the title certificate, either by initialing next to the odometer box on the title certificate or by signing the form. You should compare the odometer statement on the title certificate with the actual odometer reading in the vehicle.

IMPORTANT: THE DMV MUST EXAMINE EVERY VEHICLE IDENTIFIED "REBUILD SALVAGE" FOR STOLEN PARTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN BE REGISTERED OR TITLED. For more information, or if you are going to buy a vehicle registered or titled out-of-state, contact a DMV Call Center.

Proof of Sales Tax Payment

When you buy a vehicle from a dealer, the dealer collects the sales tax.

If you are buying a vehicle from someone other than a dealer, obtain a Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle (DTF-802), available at any motor vehicle office, by request from a DMV Call Center, and from the DMV Internet Office. This form certifies the purchase price and determines the sales tax you must pay when registering the vehicle. One side of the form must be completed and signed by the buyer. The other side must be signed by the seller if the selling price is below fair market value, or if the vehicle is being given as a gift from a non-family member. If the form is not filled out by the seller, you will be charged sales tax based on the vehicle's current fair market value. Bring the completed form to a state or county motor vehicle office when you register your vehicle.

Proof of Insurance

When you buy auto liability insurance, the insurance agent or broker gives you two insurance identification cards. The name(s) on these cards must exactly match the name(s) on the registration application. You must present one card when registering your vehicle. Keep the second card with the vehicle.

"No-fault" auto insurance is issued in New York State. For information about no-fault insurance contact the NYS Department of Insurance, Agency Building 1, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12257.

Fees

Registrations for most vehicles under 18,000 pounds (8,165 kg) maximum gross weight are valid for two years, and registration fees are based on vehicle weight. There are also plate and title fees.

By law, registration fees cannot be refunded if you use the license plates or registration sticker on your vehicle even for only one day. However, if your license plates and registration sticker are returned completely unused within 60 days after registering your vehicle, you may receive a full refund, minus a processing fee. You may receive a refund of the fee for the second year of a two-year registration, minus a one dollar processing fee, if you use the plates and registration only during the first year. Be sure to obtain a DMV Universal Receipt (FS6T) for turning in your plates.

If you transfer a registration from one vehicle to a replacement vehicle, you will receive credit for the remaining portion of your current registration. This credit cannot be applied to other vehicles already registered to you.

Trading In or Selling Your Old Car

Before you trade in or sell your old vehicle, be sure to remove the license plates and the windshield registration sticker, which shows your plate number. This will help prevent you from being charged with parking tickets that do not belong to you.

Most registrations are renewed every two years. About 45 to 60 days before your registration will expire, you should receive a renewal reminder in the mail. You may not receive a reminder if you have changed your address and did not notify the DMV, or if you have failed to answer three or more parking tickets, or if your registration is suspended or revoked. Allow up to two weeks for processing and delivery. Whether or not you receive a reminder, you are responsible for knowing when your registration expires, and for renewing it on time.

If the expiration date falls on a weekend or legal state holiday, your registration is automatically extended to midnight of the next business day. Be sure you maintain liability insurance on your vehicle during the extension period.

If you have not received a renewal notice, you may be able to renew your registration —

By mail: Complete a Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82), available at any motor vehicle office, by request from a DMV Call Center, and from the DMV Internet Office. If your registration should be sent to an address other than the mailing address you entered on the application form (MV-82), enclose a separate note requesting the DMV to mail your registration to the other address. Do not put this mailing address on form MV-82 unless you want it to appear on the registration and your DMV registration record. Reminder - if you indicate a change of address on your registration, it will affect ONLY that registration. Use a Change of Address Form (MV-232) to change all your DMV records. This form is available at any motor vehicle office, by request from a DMV Call Center, and from the DMV Internet Office.

Enclose a check or money order for the appropriate fee, payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles." If you do not know the exact fee you should pay, you may determine the fee through a work-sheet at the DMV Internet Office or contact a DMV Call Center. Be sure to include your insurance card with your renewal application if your registration has been expired for more than 30 days, or if your insurance company has changed and you have not responded to a DMV Insurance Inquiry Letter.

Mail your completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application and other documents to:

Port Jefferson Office, NYS DMV
3 Roads Plaza
1055 Route 112
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776

Allow two weeks to receive your registration renewal. If you do not receive it after two weeks, contact a DMV Call Center or visit any state or county motor vehicle office. Allow more time for overseas mail.

If your name has changed and you have not yet notified the DMV, you must visit a DMV office and show proofs of your identity. For more information, contact a DMV Call Center.

On-line at the DMV Internet Office: www.nysdmv.com. On-line registration renewal requires that you have not changed your address or insurance company, that your registration has not been expired more than 30 days, and that the registration is for a passenger car, small commercial truck, or a motorcycle that has not been taken off the road. Your registration fee, including any other related fees, will be displayed on the computer screen. In just three quick steps, you may renew your registration on-line and use your credit card for fee payment. Your renewal will be automatically processed and mailed to you. Allow two weeks for delivery.

In person at a state or county motor vehicle office: You must complete and submit an Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82). Please note: an application brought into an office by a 2nd party (someone other than the registrant) must be accompanied by the original New York State license/permit/non-driver identification card for both the applicant and the 2nd party. This includes spouses (husbands and wives). The application must be signed by the registrant, not the person bringing the form into the office.

Insurance

Your vehicle must be covered by liability insurance as long as it is registered, even if you do not drive it.

Minimum liability coverage is required of $50,000 against the death of one person and $100,000 against the death of two or more persons, $25,000 against injury to one person and $50,000 against injury to two or more persons, and $10,000 against property damage. Coverage limits refer to death, injury or damage related to any one incident.

Before your liability insurance lapses or is canceled, turn in your plates at any state or county motor vehicle office. Be sure to obtain a DMV Universal Receipt (FS6T) for turning in your plates. Otherwise, you may have to pay a civil penalty for each day the vehicle was not insured, or your vehicle registration may be suspended. If your vehicle remains uninsured for 90 days, unless you have already turned in your license plates, your driver license will also be suspended.

If you receive a letter from DMV inquiring about your auto insurance, read it carefully and respond within seven days.

Motorcycles must be insured, but you are not required to turn in the plate when your insurance for a motorcycle is canceled or lapses.

Anyone who drives or permits his or her vehicle to be driven in New York State, even a non-resident, must be able to prove the vehicle has adequate liability insurance. (See "Insurance," above, for minimum coverage required.) If you are convicted of operating an uninsured vehicle or permitting another person to operate your uninsured vehicle, your license or privilege to drive in New York State will be revoked for at least one year. The same penalty applies if the DMV receives evidence that you were involved in an a traffic crash without being insured.

A motor vehicle dealership is required to have each vehicle pass inspection within 30 days before the vehicle is delivered to a customer. If you buy a vehicle from someone other than a dealer, you must register it and have it inspected within ten days.

After your vehicle's first inspection, it must be inspected at an official state-licensed inspection station at least once every 12 months and whenever ownership changes. These stations are identified by yellow and black "Official Motor Vehicle Inspection Station" signs. Heavy trucks, buses, tractors and semi-trailers must be inspected at special "Heavy Vehicle" inspection stations, and motorcycles at special motorcycle inspection stations.

When you sign a registration renewal form, you are certifying under penalty of law that the vehicle was inspected as required by law. Keep track of when your yearly inspection is due. Schedule a new inspection early, so you will have time to repair your vehicle if it does not pass.

After inspection, the vehicle inspector will issue a sticker for the vehicle to prove it has passed inspection. If your vehicle did not pass, the inspector will give you a rejection notice. Then, your vehicle must be repaired to meet inspection standards and be re-inspected. In certain areas of the state, your gasoline-powered vehicle (except a motorcycle) must also be inspected for exhaust emissions at the time of the safety inspection. More information about safety inspections and emissions inspections is detailed in the publications Vehicle Inspection Program, Facts for Consumers (MV-50) and What You Should Know About The New York State Emissions Test (C-61), available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, or at any motor vehicle office.

The DMV regulates dealers, inspection stations and auto repair shops. These businesses should be identified by outdoor signs and registration or license certificates. Make sure you are dealing with a registered or licensed business.

If you have a complaint against one of these businesses, first try to resolve it with the management. If that fails, call (518) 474-8943 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays. You may also write to Vehicle Safety Services, DMV, 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12228. Please note that, by law, the DMV can handle complaints only made within 90 days or 3,000 miles (1,864 km) of the repairs, whichever comes first.

For more information about your rights in dealing with auto repair shops and car dealers, ask for our publications Know Your Rights in Auto Repairs (C-17) and Let the Buyer Be Aware (C-18), available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, or at any motor vehicle office.