If you own or are planning to purchase a vehicle from a private party in New York, then you must be aware of the requirements you need to meet before getting your car on the road. Among the most important, after of course completing an accredited driving course, is getting your car registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles otherwise referred to as NYSDMV. It is mandatory to get a New York car insurance before registering the vehicle and make registration within 30 days of establishing residency.

What do I need to register my car in NY?

You must be asking yourself; what do I need when registering a car in NY? NYS DMV registration requires;

Step 1: Insure Your Vehicle

This is mandatory before registration. You must register your vehicle within 6 months (180 days) of the effective date on your Insurance Identification Card.

Step 2: Visit the DMV with these documents

  • New York State Insurance Identification Card. New York State does not accept insurances from other states.
  • Complete the NY DMV registration form (Form MV-82) Your
  • Present the title of your vehicle.
  • Complete the claim for sales tax exemption to be exempted of tax if you bought the vehicle before moving to New York.
  • Make a payment of the registration, which is based on your vehicle's weight.
  • Proof of incorporation if you are registering the vehicle for an enterprise.
If by chance you purchased the vehicle from a dealer in New York but opt to cater individually for the NYS auto registration, you are required to download and complete the MV-82 form. If by chance you are moving to New York from a new state, the process is practically the same as registering a newly purchased vehicle. However, there are a few alternate documents that are needed; For a new vehicle purchased from a dealer, not within the state, you are required to provide the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin together with the dealer’s bill of sale. For a vehicle from a private owner, you are required to provide you are required to provide an out of sale title certificate that was transferred to you from the previous car owner. For a used vehicle purchased from a dealer, not within the state, an out-of-state title certificate together with the dealer’s bill of sale is required.   NY Car title search The status of the vehicle titles can be checked online for the NYS DMV title. The status check service shows;
  • Name and address of the lienholder
  • Number of liens (if available)
  • Date when the title was issued by DMV

Duplicate title NY

As a car owner, application of a duplicate title can be done online, through the mail and in person at your local DMV office. One can also order a duplicate title online at the DMV website if;
  • You own the title
  • A title has not been processed in a span of 15 days.
  • There are no other changes made with the data listed on the title.
  • The address on your registration and title match your current mailing address.

Step 3: Collect these documents from the DMV

These documents are ready to be provided within 1-2 weeks after registration. They include;
  • Sticker registration.
  • Registration document
  • 1 or 2 vehicle plates
  • A sticker for 10-day inspection extension (This applies to those who did not get the vehicle from a New York State dealer)

Step 4: Have an inspection of your vehicle.

It's mandatory that all vehicles in registered in New York State must have a safety inspection at a station licensed with DMV. This is done every 12 months or when the ownership of the vehicle changes/transferred.  

Fees

As mentioned earlier, the fees charged vary on the vehicle weight and your residence. First-time registration fees usually include
  • Registration transfer fee or vehicle plate fee
  • The sales tax
  • In most states, a vehicle use tax
  • A fee for the title certificate
  • A 1 or 2-year registration fee, varying on the type of registration

Renewing Your Vehicle Registration in New York

Surprisingly, renewing your existing registration in New York is a way quicker and simpler. Drivers in New York often receive a notice of renewal and can renew their registration online. To renew registration in NY, you simply need to visit the DMV website on the renewal page. However, you will need to apply for a new registration if; - Your registration has been revoked or suspended - Your vehicle hasn’t been inspected in the last 12 months - Your registration has been expired for more than a year