Vehicle registrations and title certificates for members of the military
Below is helpful information for those who currently serve in the US Armed Forces and their families, and military veterans and their families. Thank you for your service!
Second-party registration transactions
If you are not able to visit the DMV to register a vehicle, another person can come for you. You will need these forms
- Affirmation for Renewal of Registration for Absentee Owner (pdf) (MV-454)
- Certification of Disposition of Vehicle on Behalf of Absentee Owner (pdf) (MV-456)
For more information about second party registrations, see register a vehicle for someone else.
Sales Tax Exemption for Motor Vehicles Purchased Out-Of-State by Military Service Members
New York State tax law offers a full exemption from New York State sales and use tax on a motor vehicle purchased in another state by a person in the military service of the United States, so long as that other state’s sales, use, excise, usage or highway use tax was paid on the motor vehicle necessary to obtain the title.
To qualify for the exemption, the purchaser must provide proof of tax paid upon registration of the motor vehicle in New York State. A receipt showing payment of sales, use, excise, usage, or highway use tax paid will be considered to be proof of tax paid to another state. This exemption applies only when the registrant is a military service member and is the person who purchased the motor vehicle in another state while in the military service of the United States.
Applicants seeking this tax exemption must complete form Sales Tax Exemption {Sales Tax Form} (pdf) (at NY State Department of Tax and Finance) (DTF-803), box 12, and provide a military ID or other documentation of military service (if a certificate of discharge is presented, the date of discharge must be after the purchase of the motor vehicle).
Defer vehicle sales tax
If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and you do not reside in New York, you can defer your sales tax payment. You must pay the sales tax when you leave the Armed Forces or you return to New York. Complete form Sales Tax Exemption {Sales Tax Form} (pdf) (at NY State Department of Tax and Finance) (DTF-803) if
- you are a New York State resident
- you are now a member of the U.S. Armed Forces
- you do not now reside in New York State or keep a residence here
Find more sales tax information for registering a vehicle.
Register a vehicle imported from another country
To register a vehicle imported from another country, use the form 'Military Registration and Certificate of Title of Motor Vehicle' (DD-430) 1 to provide proof of ownership. For more information, see register an imported vehicle.
Military and Veterans vehicle plates
Use these forms to order military and veterans vehicle plates
- Application for Custom Plates (pdf) (CP-30)
- Statement to Register a Vehicle with Former POW or Congressional Medal of Honor Plates (pdf) (MV-1H)
See galleries of military and veteran custom plates.
Veterans with disabilities receiving motor vehicles under Federal Title 38
To register a vehicle, use Statement to Register a Vehicle Under Title 38 (pdf) (MV-1E).
To renew a registration, use Statement to Renew a Vehicle Under Article 38 (pdf) (MV-1G).
Automatic registration extension for military personnel
Learn about registration extensions for military personnel.
Registration class codes for military and veteran custom plates
The vehicle registration class codes list includes a section for military and veterans classes.
Request a registration fee refund
The Request for Refund (pdf) (MV-215) includes instructions to apply for a vehicle registration fee refund if you entered the US Armed Forces after you received a New York State vehicle registration. For more information about registration refunds, see surrender vehicle plates to the DMV.
- 1. This form is not issued by the New York DMV. It's a Department of Defense form.