New York Vehicle Registration Renewal Guide

How to Renew a Car Registration in NY

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles will mail a renewal notice to you before your vehicle registration expires. If you sign up for an account on the state DMV website, you will be able to receive this notice through email if desired.

Before you can renew your registration, you will need to get a safety inspection as well as an emissions test for your car. These tests are required each year. Your vehicle may be exempt from these test if:

• It is over 25 years old
• It is 2 years old or newer
• It is electric
• You drive a motorcycle
• The vehicle runs on diesel and was manufactured before 1997 and is heavier than 8500 pounds
• Has license plates that are historical
• Has passed a heavy vehicle inspection

After having received a renewal notice, you may renew your registration online, in person, or through the mail.

To renew online you will need to have the same address that was used for the last registration and visit the website for the DMV and enter the following information:

• License plate number
• Zip code
• Last name of the vehicle owner
• Email address
• Credit or debit card

You can also use our simplified service to renew online here.

To renew in person you will need your renewal notice, your driver’s license, and your payment.

How to Replace a Car Registration In New York

New York State law requires you to always have your car registration in your car or with you when you are driving. So, if your registration has been lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated beyond recognition, make sure you get to the DMV for a replacement registration right away.

In New York State, you can order a replacement registration by mail, in person, or online. However, there are restrictions.

If your vehicle tags have been lost, stolen, or damaged you must go in person to obtain replacement car tag.

This guide covers how to replace your vehicle registration, plates, or license plate sticker in the State of New York.

New York Online Replacement Vehicle Registration

There are a few cases when you are not allowed to get a replacement vehicle registration online. Here are the vehicle restrictions:

• Vehicles with an expired, suspended or revoked registration.
• Vehicles built before 1973.
• ATVs, snowmobiles, boats.
• Trailers and transporters.
• Vehicles registered by the International Registration Bureau.
• If your vehicle is eligible for replacement registration online, you will need your plate number, your registration class (found on your sticker), the zip code where the vehicle is registered, and a credit or debit card for payment.

Once you have completed the process, you can print a temporary replacement registration from the website that is valid for ten days. Your permanent registration document will be mailed within ten days.

Replacement Vehicle Registration By Mail

To replace your vehicle registration by mail, first obtain an Application for Duplicate/Renewal Registration (MV-82D) from the DMV. You will also need to make a copy of your New York State driver’s license, ID, or other proof of your identity.

Complete the application and mail it, along with your ID copy, and a check or money order for three dollars to:

Replacing a Vehicle Registration In Person At The NY DMV

You may prefer to simply stop at your local DMV office to obtain your replacement car registration. At the office, complete the Application for Duplicate/Renewal Registration (MV-82D).

Present the form with your New York State license, ID card, or other proof of identity, along with the three-dollar fee to complete the process.

You will receive your new vehicle registration document at the office.

Replacing Lost, Stolen or Damaged License Plates In New York

If your vehicle tags have been lost or stolen, you will need to get replacement car tags before you can legally drive the vehicle. To do this, you will need to surrender your current registration at your DMV branch and apply for a new registration.

If both your plates were stolen, you will need to report the theft to the police and fill out a police report. If the plates were stolen in New York State, you must use the Certification of Lost License, Permit, or Plates (MV-78B) report.

If they were lost or stolen outside of New York, you must obtain a police report on official letterhead of the police department where the incident occurred. You will not be charged the replacement fee if you submit a police report.

If only one of your plates was stolen, you will still have to surrender your registration and obtain replacement plates.

To get replacement tags, bring your original plate (or police report) and the following documents to your DMV branch:

• A completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application form (MV-82).
• Proof of identity.
• Proof of insurance.
• You will be issued a new registration and plates once you pay the fee.

Fees for Replacement Vehicle Registration or Plates In New York

The current fees for replacing a lost, stolen or damaged vehicle registration are:

• Two plates: $25.
• One plate (motorcycles): $12.50.

In addition, the replacement fees (if no police report is provided) are:

• Registration replacement: $3.75.
• Two plates: $25.
• One plate (motorcycle): $12.50.

If your registration or plates have been lost, stolen or damaged you will want to get them replaced right away to avoid any legal trouble.

Don’t wait until you get pulled over, because the fines for driving illegally are much higher than the cost to replace your vehicle registration.