Register and Title a Vehicle in New York State

All vehicles in New York must be registered to be on the road. To do this, you must visit your local DMV office. Make sure you come prepared to the DMV with all the necessary paperwork and documentation.

Guidance

Guidance

You or your business must register and title at a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office any vehicle you own or lease.

Depending on the type of vehicle you are going to register, you may need to bring different documents. Many DMV PDF forms can be filled in online and then printed out.

Fees

Fees

The fees depend on the weight of the vehicle and where you live. When you register a vehicle for the first time, the total fees normally include:

• The sales tax
• A vehicle plate fee or registration transfer fee
• A title certificate fee
• A vehicle use tax (in most counties)
• Either a 1- or 2-year registration fee, depending on the type of registration

What can I use to pay the fees?

• Most credit cards, prepaid cards and debit cards that do not require a PIN
• Cash
• A personal check or a money order payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles"
• You can split your payment between cash and check if you need

Estimate the registration fees you will need to pay.

How To

How To

Refer to DMV’s Document Guide to make sure you have the correct proofs of identification and other documents before you come to the DMV.

After you register at the DMV, you will receive registration documents, 1 or 2 vehicle plates and an inspection extension.

If applicable, the DMV will mail you the vehicle's new title certificate (please allow up to 90 days to receive).

Make a reservation online before you visit DMV offices in NYC, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Onondaga or Albany Counties.

Ready? Have with you:

• A completed Vehicle Registration / Title Application (MV-82)
• Proof you own the vehicle
  • For cars, trucks and motorcycles that are model year 1973 or newer, proof can be either
    • a NYS Certificate of Title (the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy)
    • acceptable proof of ownership from any other state (the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy)
    • You must be at least 16 years old (except for ATV registrations)
    • A NYS Driver License, Permit, or Non-Driver ID card that is current or not expired for more than 2 years can serve as proof of both identity and age. If you don't have one of these, see other kinds of proof.
    • Your insurance company gives you 2 barcoded NYS Insurance ID Cards and will send an electronic notice of coverage to the DMV. The Insurance Cards and the electronic notice together verify your coverage. DMV will need both.
    • Trailers
    • Snowmobiles
    • Leased vehicles
    • Pick-up trucks as passenger
    • Out-of-state vehicles
    • Vehicles when you are out-of-state
    • Vehicles for someone else
    • Imported vehicles
    • Vehicles with more than one owner or registrant
    • Custom or homemade trailers and vehicles