Register and Title a Vehicle in New York State (2024)

You or your business must register and title at a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office any vehicle you own or lease.

Depending on the type of vehicle you are going to register, you may need to bring different documents. Many DMV PDF forms can be filled in online and then printed out.

The fees depend on the weight of the vehicle and where you live. When you register a vehicle for the first time, the total fees normally include:

• The sales tax
• A vehicle plate fee or registration transfer fee
• A title certificate fee
• A vehicle use tax (in most counties)
• Either a 1- or 2-year registration fee, depending on the type of registration

What can I use to pay the fees?

• Most credit cards, prepaid cards and debit cards that do not require a PIN
• Cash
• A personal check or a money order payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles"
• You can split your payment between cash and check if you need

Estimate the registration fees you will need to pay.

Refer to DMV’s Document Guide to make sure you have the correct proofs of identification and other documents before you come to the DMV.

After you register at the DMV, you will receive registration documents, 1 or 2 vehicle plates and an inspection extension.

If applicable, the DMV will mail you the vehicle's new title certificate (please allow up to 90 days to receive).

Make a reservation online before you visit DMV offices in NYC, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Onondaga or Albany Counties.

Ready? Have with you:

• A completed Vehicle Registration / Title Application (MV-82)
• Proof you own the vehicle
  • For cars, trucks and motorcycles that are model year 1973 or newer, proof can be either
    • a NYS Certificate of Title (the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy)
    • acceptable proof of ownership from any other state (the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy)
  • See acceptable proofs for other vehicles (older than 1973, manufactured homes, boats, trailers, ATVs, snowmobiles, gifted vehicles, vehicles with deceased owners).
• Proof of your identity and age
  • You must be at least 16 years old (except for ATV registrations)
  • A NYS Driver License, Permit, or Non-Driver ID card that is current or not expired for more than 2 years can serve as proof of both identity and age. If you don't have one of these, see other kinds of proof.
• Proof you have NY automobile liability insurance
  • Your insurance company gives you 2 barcoded NYS Insurance ID Cards and will send an electronic notice of coverage to the DMV. The Insurance Cards and the electronic notice together verify your coverage. DMV will need both.
• Payment for fees and taxes, or proof of payment or exemption
• To register a vehicle for a business or organization, you also need to bring proof of incorporation.
• Depending on the type of vehicle you are going to register, you may need to bring other documents. See more information about:
  • Trailers
  • Snowmobiles
  • Leased vehicles
  • Pick-up trucks as passenger
  • Out-of-state vehicles
  • Vehicles when you are out-of-state
  • Vehicles for someone else
  • Imported vehicles
  • Vehicles with more than one owner or registrant
  • Custom or homemade trailers and vehicles

Find the proofs needed for registration, printable forms and information about DMV offices near you where you can register.

REGISTER

If your vehicle is already registered in New York State, you can use the My Registrations service to:

• Renew your registration
• Check the address and status of your registrations
• Sign up for paperless registration and inspection reminders
• Order a replacement registration document