A New York vehicle registration is a legal document that vehicle owners must obtain prior to operating their motor vehicles on public roads within the state. Motorists may get vehicle registration documents through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV). The registration procedure may differ based on whether the vehicle owners want to register a new or a used car and whether or not they are new or current residents of New York State.

To complete a new car registration process successfully, motorists need to prepare a set of documents and provide them to the NY DMV along with payment for the applicable fees. Moreover, as part of the registration requirements, vehicle owners must also have to insure their cars before beginning with the procedure. To discover more information about how to get a registration in New York, continue reading the sections below.

New York Car Registration Requirements

When registering a car in New York, motorists will have to satisfy certain requirements as part of the procedure itself. All individuals are eligible to register their motor vehicles, as long as they complete each step of the process. Two important steps of the registration require drivers to have their cars insured and inspected in order to complete the procedure successfully.

Car Insurance Requirements for Registering a Car in New York

One of the car registration requirements in New York that motorists must satisfy is to have motor vehicle insurance before registering the vehicle. Drivers can choose an insurance agency according to their personal preference. The insurance company issues two barcoded NYS Insurance ID Cards or provides access to the driver’s digital electronic NYS Insurance ID Card.

Furthermore, the insurance agent will send an electronic notice to the DMV with information about the insurance coverage of the vehicle. The NY DMV will verify the insurance coverage when registering a car in NY only if the motorists provide both the NYS Insurance ID Cards and the electronic notices. One Insurance ID Card will be kept by the DMV, while the other must be kept in the vehicle. Motorists are required to register within 180 days of the effective date written on the Insurance ID Card.

Vehicle Inspection/Smog Inspection/VIN Inspection Requirements in New York

After performing an NY DMV registration procedure, motorists will have to get their vehicles inspected at a DMV-licensed inspection station. The vehicles must undergo a safety inspection once in 12 months or when the ownership of the vehicle is transferred to another person. At the same time when conducting a safety inspection, motorists may also want to get an emissions inspection on their motor vehicles.

Registering a Vehicle in New York

Getting a new car registration in New York is a procedure that requires motorists themselves to register their vehicles with the NY DMV. Moreover, not only individuals, but also their businesses must register and title the vehicles they own or lease by visiting a local NY DMV branch.

How to Register a New Car in New York

When motorists decide to perform a New York vehicle registration procedure, they will have to prepare certain documentation and submit it at a local NY DMV office. Prior to visiting a nearby DMV location, applicants are recommended to schedule an appointment in order to avoid waiting for a long time. Drivers need to provide the following documents for registering a car in NY:

• Completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (form MV-82)
• Original car title or other proof of ownership
• Current NYS Insurance ID Card
• Bill of sale and proof of sales tax payment
• NYS driver’s license, permit, non-driver ID, or other proof of identity
• Payment for the applicable fees and taxes

When there are several owners or registrants of the motor vehicle, they will have to complete the same procedure. However, all registrants must sign the application form and provide proofs of identity and date of birth. If a car registration procedure is completed by businesses or organizations, they will have to provide a proof of incorporation in addition to the above-listed documents.

How to Register a Car in New York as a New Resident

New residents must perform a New York vehicle registration procedure for their out-of-state cars as soon as they move to the state. Motorists are required to learn this procedure since their specific situation may ask them to satisfy different requirements. For instance, drivers who are not NY residents need to know that their out-of-state registration is valid in New York State. Furthermore, motorists who have recently moved to New York and have become residents must perform a new car registration procedure within 30 days of obtaining an NY residential status. And finally, NY residents who got an out-of-state vehicle must also register it within 30 days.

The procedure of registering a car in New York is the same as the regular registration process. However, each process may vary and the mandatory documentation may not be the same for every individual.

Vehicle Registration for Military Members in New York

Military members may also apply for a vehicle registration in New York, but they may have to complete a slightly different procedure. Those active members of the military who are unable to visit a local NY DMV office may arrange another person to perform the DMV registration procedure in their name. The person will have to submit the following forms:

• Affirmation for Renewal/Lost Registration for Absentee Owner (form MV-454)
• Certification of Disposition of Vehicle on Behalf of Absentee Owner (form MV-456)

When registering a motor vehicle that is imported from another state, military members may have to complete and provide a Military Registration and Certificate of Title of Motor Vehicle (form DD-430) as proof of ownership.

Military members who purchase a motor vehicle from another state and plan to register a car may be exempt from paying the sales tax. This exemption will take place only if they had paid the other state’s sales, use, usage, excise, or highway use tax, depending which tax applies. To qualify for a sales tax exemption, motorists must prove that they had paid the tax when registering a car in New York. Military members who seek the tax exemption will have to provide a completed Sales Tax Exemption (form DTF-803) and a proof of military service such as military ID.

Temporary DMV Registration in New York

An temporary vehicle registration in NY is available to nonresidents who have purchased their car in the New York State, but want to operate it to their state of residence. In order to travel to another state with a motor vehicle purchased in New York State, motorists may be able to apply for an interstate in-transit permit. To obtain an in-transit permit, motorists need to provide the following documents:

• Completed In-Transit Permit/Title Application (form MV-82ITP)
• Proof of ownership
• Proof of identity
• Proof of insurance
• Payment of the $12.50 in-transit permit fee

When nonresidents of New York State apply for an interstate in-transit permit, they will have to submit one of the following proofs of insurance: a letter from an out-of-state agent or an insurance binder form.

New York License Plates

After registering a car in New York, the NY DMV issues license plates to applicants in person or sends them in the mail within one to two weeks. Motorists will receive the license plates, except in a situation when they transfer a vehicle registration from another registered car in NY. In addition, applicants will receive a registration window sticker, registration document and an inspection extension sticker valid for 10 days.

Additionally, military members may apply for custom military or veteran license plates by completing the appropriate form.

New York Car Registration Fees

The final step of the NY car registration procedure requires vehicle owners to submit payment for the applicable registration fees. However, the car registration cost may vary depending on the weight of the vehicle and the county in which you are registering the vehicle.

For example, registering a gas-powered Honda Civic in Manhattan can cost about $200. This fee does not include sales tax or the $50 title certificate fee.

In addition to these fees, motorists may also be required to pay a Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) fee for the following 12 counties:  Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester.

When motorists want to get a temporary registration, they will be required to pay an in-transit permit fee of $12.50.

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