Fresh York State of Chance Department of Motor Vehicles
Individuals
Register and title a vehicle
You or your business must register and title at a DMV office any vehicle you own or lease. Registrations don’t need to be in the holder’s name, or for only one person. Auto dealers can register and title vehicles, and issue plates (and charge a fee for this).
Step 1: Get your vehicle insured
You must register your vehicle at the DMV within one hundred eighty days of the effective date on your insurance ID card. One
Step Two: Bring these documents to the DMV
the original title (or other proof of ownership) two
the current NYS Insurance ID card (auto liability insurance) three
the bill of sale and proof of sales tax payment / sales tax form Four
your NYS driver license, permit, non-driver ID, or other proof of identity Five
If you register for a business or organization, also bring proof of incorporation. 6
For quicker service, make a reservation online before visiting offices in Fresh York City, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Onondaga or Albany Counties. See offices where this service is available.
Step Trio: Get these documents from the DMV
We will give (or mail within 1-2 weeks) these documents when you register
- 1 or two vehicle plates (unless you transfer a registration from another vehicle registered in Fresh York)
- registration window sticker
- registration document
- 10-day inspection extension sticker (if you did not get the vehicle from a Fresh York State auto dealer) 7
If applicable, we will also send you a fresh title certificate (within ninety days).
Step Four: Get your vehicle studied
All vehicles registered in Fresh York State must get a safety inspection at a DMV-licensed inspection station
The fees depend on the vehicle weight and where you live. First-time registration fees normally include
- the sales tax
- a vehicle plate fee or registration transfer fee
- a title certificate fee
- (in most counties) a vehicle use tax
- either a one or two year registration fee, depending on the type of registration
- cash
- most credit, pinless debit or prepaid cards (American Express, Detect Card/Novus, MasterCard, VISA)
- a private check or a money order payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”
You can split your payment inbetween cash and check if you need.
Extra information
For specific information about registering various types of vehicles, refer to the webpages listed on this page.
You do not need to be United States resident to register a vehicle in Fresh York
As long as you meet the registration requirements, you can register a vehicle here.
About Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINS) on vehicles or motorcycles
In an effort to protect consumers, the DMV would like to inform you about Fresh York State laws pertaining to vehicle identification numbers (also called VINs).
California emissions standards
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Your insurance company will:
1) give you two barcoded original NYS Insurance ID cards (see a sample) or provide you with access to your digital electronic NYS Insurance ID Card
Two) send an electronic notice of insurance coverage to the DMV (your insurance agent or broker cannot file this notice)
Your NYS Insurance ID cards and the electronic notice together verify your coverage. We need both.
You must register your vehicle within one hundred eighty days of the effective date on your Insurance ID Card. Bring one copy or form of your Insurance ID Card with you. The DMV office will keep the paper card. Keep the other paper card with the vehicle as your proof of insurance. Anyone operating your vehicle must be able to provide proof of insurance.
Model year one thousand nine hundred seventy two or older, either
- a NYS Transferable Registration (original or certified copy, not a photocopy) and bill of sale, or
- acceptable proof of ownership from another state (original or certified copy, not a photocopy)
See acceptable proofs for other vehicles (manufactured homes, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, gifted vehicles, vehicles with deceased owners).
Your insurance company will:
1) give you two barcoded original NYS Insurance ID cards (see a sample) or provide you with access to your digital electronic NYS Insurance ID Card
Two) send an electronic notice of insurance coverage to the DMV (your insurance agent or broker cannot file this notice)
Your NYS Insurance ID cards and the electronic notice together verify your coverage. We need both.
You must register your vehicle within one hundred eighty days of the effective date on your Insurance ID Card. Bring one copy or form of your Insurance ID Card with you. The DMV office will keep the paper card. Keep the other paper card with the vehicle as your proof of insurance. Anyone operating your vehicle must be able to provide proof of insurance.
You can use the Vehicle Bill of Sale (MV-912) form, or create one that includes the
- vehicle year and make
- vehicle ID number (VIN) or hull ID (HIN)
- date of the sale
- purchase price
- names and signatures of buyer and seller
Make copies for your records. Give the original bill to DMV. A bill of sale is not an acceptable without other proofs of ownership. You need a bill of sale even if got the vehicle as a bounty.
If you bought your vehicle from another person in a private sale, both you (the buyer) and the seller must accomplish the Statement of Transaction (DTF-802). The DMV calculates the tax and issues a payment receipt.
If you were not a resident of Fresh York when you purchased the vehicle, use Sales Tax Exemption (DTF-803) to receive a non-resident exemption from NYS sales tax. The DTF-803 defines “non-resident” and “resident”.
You must provide proof of identity and date of birth. You must be at least sixteen years old (except for ATV and boat registrations).
You can use a Fresh York State
that is current or expired less than two years as proof of identity and age.