Determine If You Can Pay
You can pay (and remove a suspension) if
- your insurance lapse is for 90 days or less
You cannot pay if
- you already paid a civil penalty in the past 36 months (3 years)
- your insurance lapse is 91 days or more
Your payment does not guarantee that the DMV will restore your registration, or close other suspensions or revocations you have. It is your responsibility to know if the DMV restored your registration before you drive the vehicle. You can check the status of your driving privilege and vehicle registrations through MyDMV.
The DMV will not automatically send you a new registration document in the mail.
If you do not want to pay the civil penalty, you can surrender your vehicle registration and plates until the suspension period ends.
Pay Online
You need a Suspension Order that states you are eligible to pay a civil penalty (see a sample insurance letter). Your order will have
- the 10 digit document ID number
- your vehicle plate number
- vehicle type (also called class – e.g. PAS, COM)
- the first 3 letters of the registrant’s name
Pay By Mail
Follow the instructions on your suspension order. Send the bottom part of the order along with a certified check, personal check, or money order payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”.
Mail to:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Financial Security Bureau
PO BOX 2725
Albany NY 12220-0725
Pay at a DMV Office
You may pay this fee in person at a DMV office with a certified check, personal check or money order, payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”.
See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV
Civil Penalty Fees
Your Suspension Order from the DMV shows how much you must pay. The amount depends on how long you did not have insurance coverage. Your civil penalty payment is calculated based on the table below.
| INSURANCE LAPSE (IN DAYS) | CIVIL PENALTY |
|---|---|
| 1 - 30 days | $8 per day |
| 31 - 60 days | $10 per day |
| 61-90 days | $12 per day |
Example 1: If your insurance lapse is 25 days, you may pay a civil penalty of $200 ($8 per day for 25 days) and not turn in your plates, or you must surrender your plates and serve a registration suspension of 25 days.
Example 2: If your insurance lapse is 90 days, you may pay a total penalty of $900 ($8 per day for the first 30 days = $240; plus $10 per day for 31 days to 60 = $300; plus $12 per day for days 61-90 = $360) and not turn in your plates; or you must surrender your plates and serve a registration suspension of 90 days