New York Vehicle Registration

If you’re a driver living in New York State, the process of registering your car might seem daunting at first. After all, there are so many rules and regulations to consider. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive guide on how to register a car in New York State.

We’ll walk you through everything from getting insurance for your vehicle to collecting required documents, finding out about fees and taxes, and more.

New York Vehicle Registration Process

Whether you own or lease a vehicle, it’s essential that your business registers and titles the designated automobile. Although registrations are not restricted to one individual or must be in the owner’s name, dealerships provide an added convenience for new car owners by registering and titling vehicles as well as offering license plates.

Step 1: Get Your Vehicle Insured

You have a maximum of 180 days to register your vehicle at the DMV after you receive your insurance ID card. Don’t miss this crucial deadline – make sure you stay up-to-date on registration requirements!

What is the Recommended Car Insurance Coverage in NY?

New York residents are required to have auto liability insurance coverage that meets, at the minimum, state-mandated standards.

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

Your liability insurance coverage must:

  • Even when the registration is still valid, your requirements will persist – even if you don’t use the car (there are some exceptions for motorcycles).
  • For New York State insurance to be valid, it must be issued by a company licensed by the NY State Department of Financial Services and certified by the NY State DMV; out-of-state coverage is not recognized.
  • The registration of any vehicle must be in the name of its registrant and should remain that way at all times.

Step 2: Submitted Your Documents

You will need to submit all documents in order to obtain your registration.

Step 3: Documents from the DMV

The NY DMV would mail out your sticker in 1 to 2 weeks the following documents when you registered.

  • 1 or 2 vehicle plates (unless you transfer a registration from another vehicle registered in New York)
  • Your Registration Window Sticker
  • Your Registration Document
  • 10-day inspection extension sticker (if you did not get the vehicle from a New York State auto dealer)

Step 4: Get your car or truck inspected

To ensure highway safety, all vehicles registered in New York must be assessed and approved at a DMV-accredited inspection station.

  • Every 12 Months
  • Ownership documents of the Vehicle

DMV Registration Fees

  • 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.

Payment

The New York DMV accepts the following payment:

  • Cash
  • Most Credit and Debit Cards
  • Personal Check made payable to the “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”

You also have the option to split the payment between check and cash

If you want to register a vehicle in New York State, there are a few things that you need to do. First, you will need to get a car registration form from the DMV. Next, you will need to fill out the form and send it back to the DMV with all of the required documentation.

Finally, once your registration is processed, you will receive your registration certificate and license plates in the mail. If you have any questions about how to register your car in New York State, please feel free to contact us or visit our website for more information.