What you need to do to register a car in New York
To register a car in New York, you submit an process to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with proof of ownership, proof of identity, and proof of residency. The DMV processes your process and issues a registration certificate and license plates. Most people complete this in person at a DMV office, though some steps can be done by mail or online depending on your situation.
The process takes different amounts of time depending on how you submit it and whether the DMV needs to verify anything about the vehicle. In-person applications at a DMV office typically take a few weeks to process after you submit them. If you use mail or the online portal, add extra time for delivery.
Key Takeaways
- You will need the vehicle's title or proof of ownership, your driver's license or state ID, and a document showing your New York address such as a utility bill or lease.
- The DMV charges a registration fee that varies based on the vehicle's weight and type; you can find the exact amount on the DMV website before you go.
- You can register in person at any DMV office, by mail using form MV-82, or online through the DMV website if you meet certain conditions.
- New York issues registration certificates and license plates; you cannot legally drive until both arrive, which usually takes two to four weeks after approval.
- If you buy a used car from a private seller, you have ten days to register it before you face a penalty.
Documents you must bring or submit
Start by gathering the vehicle's title or proof of ownership. If you bought the car from a dealer, you will receive the title in the mail from the DMV after the dealer files their paperwork. If you bought from a private seller, the seller signs the back of the title and gives it to you. If the title is still in someone else's name, you cannot register the car until the title is transferred to you.
Bring a valid form of identity. A New York driver's license or state ID works. If you do not have either, bring a passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. The DMV will not accept expired documents.
Bring proof that you live in New York. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address works. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 30 days. A driver's license with your current address also counts as proof of residency.
If someone else owns the vehicle and you are registering it on their behalf, bring a signed power of attorney form (form MV-82a) along with the owner's identification.
Registration fees and what they cover
New York charges a registration fee based on the vehicle's gross weight rating (GWR), which is the maximum weight the vehicle can safely carry including passengers and cargo. The fee ranges from about $45 for vehicles under 3,500 pounds to higher amounts for heavier vehicles. You can look up your vehicle's GWR in the owner's manual or on the manufacturer's label inside the driver's door frame.
The registration fee covers your registration certificate and one set of license plates. If you need a second set of plates, you pay an additional fee. If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in New York and it is new, you may also owe a sales tax that the dealer did not collect.
You can pay by cash, check, credit card, or debit card depending on which method you use to register. If you register in person, the DMV office accepts all four. If you register by mail, send a check. If you register online, you pay by credit or debit card.
Registering in person at a DMV office
Find your nearest DMV office on the DMV website and check its hours. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others are open on Saturday. Many offices now use an online appointment system where you reserve a time slot before you go. Walk-ins are usually accepted but may have longer wait times.
Bring all required documents and your payment method. Go to the office at your scheduled time or during walk-in hours. Tell the staff member at the window that you want to register a vehicle. They will review your documents, answer questions about the vehicle, and process your process on the spot.
After you submit your process, the DMV will mail your registration certificate and license plates to your address. This usually takes two to four weeks. You cannot legally drive the vehicle until both arrive. If you need to drive it before then, ask the DMV for a temporary registration document that you can display while you wait for the plates.
Registering by mail or online
To register by mail, read form MV-82 from the DMV website, fill it out completely, and mail it with your documents and payment to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your proof of residency and a copy of your driver's license or ID. Mail registration takes longer than in-person registration because the DMV must receive your envelope, process it, and mail your registration back to you.
To register online, go to the DMV website and look for the vehicle registration section. You can register online only if you are renewing an existing registration or if you are registering a vehicle you bought from a New York dealer who already filed the paperwork with the DMV. You cannot register a used car from a private seller online. The online system will ask for your information, your vehicle details, and payment by credit or debit card. You will receive a temporary registration number when ready that you can use while you wait for your plates to arrive.
Whether you use mail or online registration, your registration certificate and plates will arrive by mail in two to four weeks. Do not drive the vehicle on public roads until they arrive unless you have a temporary registration document.
What to do if you bought the car from a private seller
When you buy a used car from a private seller in New York, you have ten days to register it. The seller must sign the back of the title and give it to you. Check that the title is signed before you leave with the car. If it is not signed, the seller must sign it in front of you or you cannot register it.
If the title has a lien on it (meaning the seller still owes money to a bank or lender), the lender's name will appear on the title. The lender must sign the title releasing the lien before you can register the car. Ask the seller to contact their lender and get the lien release before you complete the purchase.
After you have the signed title, follow the same registration steps as above. Bring the title, your ID, proof of residency, and payment to a DMV office, or mail the documents using form MV-82. If you do not register within ten days, you will owe a late fee when you eventually register.
License plates and temporary registration
New York issues two license plates with your registration—one for the front of the vehicle and one for the back. Both plates have the same registration number. You must display both plates while driving on public roads. If a plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement from the DMV for a small fee.
If you need to drive the vehicle before your plates arrive, ask for a temporary registration document when you submit your process. A temporary registration is a paper document that you tape to the inside of your rear window. It is valid for 30 days. Some DMV offices issue temporary registrations on the spot; others mail them to you. Ask the staff member which applies at your office.
Once your permanent plates arrive, remove the temporary registration and install the permanent plates. Keep your registration certificate in the vehicle at all times. Police may ask to see it during a traffic stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the title is in someone else's name?
You cannot register a vehicle if the title is in another person's name. The person whose name is on the title must either sign the title over to you (which requires going to a notary and filing a new title process with the DMV) or register the vehicle themselves. If you are buying the car, ask the seller to complete the title transfer before you take possession.
Can I register a car if I do not have a New York driver's license?
Yes. You can use a state ID, passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID instead of a driver's license. You still need proof of a New York address, such as a utility bill or lease.
What happens if I drive without registering within ten days?
You will owe a late fee when you eventually register. The fee increases the longer you wait. You also risk a traffic ticket if a police officer stops you and sees that the vehicle is not registered.
Do I need to register a vehicle I only drive occasionally?
Yes. Any vehicle you drive on public roads in New York must be registered, regardless of how often you drive it. The only exception is a vehicle that is permanently stored and never driven.
How long does registration last?
Vehicle registration in New York lasts two years. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail before your registration expires. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.