How to register a vehicle

Register you vehicle online
If you are resident of one of the following Counties, you can submit your vehicle registration application online (see steps listed on this page).
Register and title a passenger or commercial car, truck, motorcycle or SUV
You or your business must register and title any vehicle you own or lease. Registrations do not need to be in the owner's name, or for only one person. When you purchase a new vehicle through an auto dealership, the auto dealer can register and title the vehicle, and issue plates (and charge a fee for this).
See more information about registering different types of vehicles and special situations.
Step 1: Get your vehicle insured
You must register your vehicle at the DMV within 180 days of the effective date on your insurance ID card.
Learn more about NY State Insurance Requirements.
Step 2: Gather the required documents
Use the Document Guide to see what you need to register
Complete DMV’s Document Guide for a checklist of proofs of identification and other documents you need to register your vehicle.
Summary of documents you may need to register your vehicle
(We recommend you use the DMV Document Guide to ensure you have all the documents you need to register your vehicle.)
- a completed Application for Vehicle Registration (PDF) (MV-82)
- a completed Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift of a Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile (PDF) (DTF-802) 1
- your New York State License/Non-Driver ID (must be current or not expired for more than 2 years) or other acceptable proof for New York State vehicle registrations or title certificates. If you are not registering the vehicle or trailer in person at a DMV office, you must submit a photocopy of your proof of identity - do not include the original.
- Bill of sale and proof of sales tax payment/sales tax form 2
- Original title (or other proof of ownership) - see acceptable proofs of ownership
- Payment of fees and taxes or proof of an exemption
- The current NY State Insurance ID card (auto liability insurance) - see NY State Insurance Requirements
Step 3: Submit your required documents to the DMV
Important: Make copies of all your documents before submitting them to DMV for processing.
If you live in a County listed below, submit your application online
- New York City (New York County, Bronx County, Queens County, Richmond County, and Kings County)
- Long Island (Nassau County and Suffolk County)
- Albany County
- Rockland County
- Westchester County
- Onondaga County
To submit your application online
- your vehicle must currently have either
- a New York State issued title, or
- a New York State transferable registration
(if your vehicle ownership was issued by another state, submit your documents by mail to your local DMV office) - you will need to use a NY.gov ID account (if you do not already have an account, you will be able to create one, or use this alternative online process)
- do not submit your application for registration more than once
If you live somewhere else, follow your County's instructions for how to register your vehicle
Visit to your County's website to get information on how to register your vehicle in the County where you live. You can find County website and other information on the Offices and Reservations page.
Step 4: Get these documents from the DMV
We will give (or mail within 1-2 weeks) these documents when you register
- 1 or 2 vehicle plates (unless you transfer a registration from another vehicle registered in New York)
- registration window sticker
- registration document
- 10-day inspection extension sticker (if you did not get the vehicle from a New York State auto dealer)
If applicable, we will also send you a new title certificate (within 90 days).
Step 5: Get your vehicle inspected
All vehicles registered in New York State must get a safety inspection at a DMV-licensed inspection station
- every 12 months
- when the ownership of the vehicle is transferred
Learn more about inspection requirements.
Fees and payment
Fees
The fees depend on the vehicle's weight and where you live. First-time registration fees normally include
- the sales tax
- a vehicle plate fee or registration transfer fee
- a title certificate fee
- (in most counties) a vehicle use tax
- either a 1 or 2-year registration fee, depending on the type of registration
You can estimate the registration fees you will need to pay.
Payment
We accept
- cash
- most credit, pinless debit or prepaid cards (American Express, Discover Card/Novus, MasterCard, VISA)
- a personal check or money order payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles"
You can split your payment between cash and check.
Additional information
Transfer the registration from another vehicle you own
After you sell or give away a vehicle, you can transfer the registration and vehicle plates to another vehicle you own. You must bring all of the documents required to register a vehicle, along with a completed Statement of Transaction (if this is a vehicle you have just purchased and do not currently have the title or transferable registration in your name), to a DMV office.
See more
- Information on registrations
- Information on registering various types of vehicles
- Instructions: Register/Title a Vehicle in New York State (PDF) (MV-82.1)
- Laws pertaining to Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)
- California emission standards
- Sharing your information
- 1.
If you bought your vehicle from another person in a private sale, both you (the buyer) and the seller must complete the Statement of Transaction – Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile {Sales Tax Form} (PDF) (at NY State Department of Tax and Finance) (DTF-802). The DMV calculates the tax and issues a payment receipt.
If you were not a resident of New York when you purchased the vehicle, use Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption – Title/Registration Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile {Sales Tax Form} (PDF) (at NY State Department of Tax & Finance) (DTF-803) to receive a non-resident exemption from NY State sales tax. The DTF-803 defines "non-resident" and "resident".
You do not need to provide a bill of sale or sales tax payment if you sell or give away a vehicle and want to transfer the plates and registration to another vehicle you own. - 2. Bill of sale
You can use the Vehicle Bill of Sale (PDF) (MV-912) form, or create one that includes the
- vehicle year and make
- vehicle ID number (VIN) or hull ID (HIN)
- date of the sale
- purchase price
- names and signatures of buyer and seller
Make copies for your records. Give the original bill to DMV. A bill of sale is not acceptable without other proofs of ownership. You need a bill of sale even if you got the vehicle as a gift.
Sales tax payment
If you bought your vehicle from another person in a private sale, both you (the buyer) and the seller must complete the Statement of Transaction – Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile {Sales Tax Form} (PDF) (at NY State Department of Tax and Finance) (DTF-802). The DMV calculates the tax and issues a payment receipt.If you were not a resident of New York when you purchased the vehicle, use Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption – Title/Registration Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile {Sales Tax Form} (PDF) (at NY State Department of Tax & Finance) (DTF-803) to receive a non-resident exemption from NY State sales tax. The DTF-803 defines "non-resident" and "resident."