Automobile Registration in NY State

Last updated: November 12, 2001

To register your car you need to have:

The title deed
The receipt of payment
A valid insurance identification card
A completed Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82).

A proof of identity and birth date is also required. A valid driver's license or a passport will serve the purpose.

If the car is bought from a dealer, a new inspection is not necessary; otherwise it needs to be inspected within ten days of registration (see Automobile Inspection.)

If a dealer has not already collected the sales tax on the sale of the vehicle, the Department of Motor Vehicle will collect it along with the registration fee. In NY State the sales tax is 8%. The fee for registration depend on the vehicle weight. There are also plate and title fees. The new title is mailed to you in a couple of weeks after registration. In most cases registration is valid for two years after which it has to be renewed.