Registering a Vehicle in NY: A Step by Step Guide

So, you’re moving to New York. Maybe you are bringing along a car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle with you and it’s time to swap the plates from your old state with plates from the Empire State. Or perhaps you are already a New York resident and you’ve just bought a new ride. Or what if you inherited a sweet set of wheels or were fortunate enough to receive your favorite vehicle (or your grandpa’s jalopy) as a gift.  Whatever the case may be, you are going to need to register your automobile in the state of New York in order to drive it legally.

The question is, of course, how?  How do you go about registering a vehicle in the state of New York?

Well, you’ve come to the right place.  We’ve got a step-by-step How To when it comes to getting your plates and getting your ride roadworthy. Please keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and that there are many exceptions and unique situations possible.  If you happen to have a particular set of circumstances, such as a lien or inheritance, there will be other protocol to follow.  But for straightforward registrations, here’s how it goes:

First things first.  Get insurance.  All vehicles in New York must be fully insured into to be driven legally on all state roads. And this insurance must meet a set of minimum liability requirements.  Those numbers are as follows:

• $10,000 for property damage for a single accident
• $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death of anyone involved in an accident
• $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people involved in an accident

We know, it’s a bit morbid to see those coverage terms, but it’s the law in NY, so it’s a smart idea to be familiar with what you will need in order to register a car and drive legally.

Once your vehicle is insured, you have 180 days of the effective date on your insurance card to register your vehicle.

Registration must be completed during this time period. Also important to note that the name on your insurance card must match the name listed on your vehicle registration application.

Because people often ask this when moving to New York, here’s another point: you cannot use out-of-state insurance in NY.  Once you are a NY resident, registering a vehicle in NY, you are required to purchase auto liability coverage within the state of NY.  If your current insurance provider is a national company, it can be helpful to ask them if they have a branch in NY and whether they can convert your policy to your new state of residence.

Next Step. If you are moving to NY from another state, and have a vehicle already title and registered in your name from another jurisdiction, you will need to title and register your vehicle within 30 days of landing in New York.  Assuming you do not yet have a NY driver’s license, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Application for Vehicle Registration (MV-82)
• Your out-of-state driver’s license, which must be current or not expired for more than two years
• A second form of ID, including a passport, major credit card, or bank statement
• Your out-of-state vehicle Title in your name
• Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption (DTF-803)
• NY State Insurance card and Form FS-20, FS-21, or FS75

If you are a NY resident and are registering a vehicle (purchased via private sale) for the first time, you will need to supply:

• Form MV-82
• Your New York driver’s license or Non-Driver ID, which must be current or not expired more than two years
• A Bill of Sale signed by the previous owner/seller
• The Original vehicle Title showing that the seller has transferred ownership to you by signing over the Title
• A completed Form DTF-802
• Your NY State Insurance card

It probably goes without saying, but we love a good reminder: all documents – as in the Title, Driver’s License, and insurance card – must be original, not copies.  If your Title is damaged or altered in any way, it will not be accepted by the DMV.

So, once all your ducks are in a row and your documents are all in order: Title’s signed over, forms filled in and signed, insurance procured, ID read for the showing etc, you are ready for the next step.

Any time a vehicle experiences a change in ownership, it is necessary for the car/truck/SUV to undergo a safety inspection at a DMV-licensed inspection station.  Generally, vehicles are required to pass this test every twelve months, but even if the car has had an inspection in the past year, if it changes owners, it must be tested again.

Inspections must occur within ten days of registration. Vehicles without a passing test are subject to fines and/or parking tickets.  So you want to be sure and not miss this integral step in the registration process!

If you happen to move to NY with your vehicle and your last state of residence issued a passing inspection, you are not required to obtain a NY test until your out-of-state inspection expires or for one year after the registration date – whichever comes first.

These are the basics of vehicle registration in the state of New York.  Again, there are many possible variables when it comes to registrations, but as always, there is no need to fret.  At eTags, we’ve got a team of experts happy and ready to assist with any questions you might have about your set of circumstances.

Perhaps most importantly, we can facilitate this entire registration process online and save you the appointment and wait at the DMV.  Simply head to our site, choose New York from our drop-down menu, and follow the prompts.  As long as you’ve got all your documents ready on hand, registering a vehicle in NY is quick and easy.  And as always, for anything automotive, title, or registration – related, we’re here to help!