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Driver’s Manual | 23

CHAPTER 3 / OWNING A VEHICLE When you purchase a new or used vehicle
from a dealer registered with the DMV, the dealer
can register the vehicle for you and give you a
Whether you are a vehicle owner or registrant, temporary registration and, if you need them,
or a driver of a vehicle owned or registered by new vehicle plates. The dealer can charge a
someone else, it is your responsibility to make processing fee for this service. It can also charge
sure it is registered, insured and inspected before registration, vehicle plate and title fees.
the vehicle operates on a public roadway.
Your title certificate will be mailed to you sever-
REGISTRATION AND TITLE al weeks after the vehicle is registered.

A registration allows a vehicle to be driven Proof of Ownership
on public roads and highways. A title certificate
proves who owns the vehicle. If you purchase your vehicle from a New York
State registered dealer, the proof of ownership for
You must be at least 16 to register a vehicle. a new vehicle will be a Manufacturer’s Certificate
You can title a vehicle at any age. A new resident of Origin (MCO) and a dealer’s Certificate of Sale
of the state must get a New York registration (MV-50). For a used vehicle, proof of ownership is
within 30 days of establishing residence. the previous owner’s Certificate of Title (MV-999),
the correct odometer and salvage disclosure
To Register a Vehicle statement and the dealer’s Certificate of
Sale (MV-50).
To register a vehicle, you must prove you own
the vehicle or that the owner authorizes you to If the dealership does not register the vehicle
register it, that the vehicle is insured, that the for you, make sure it gives you the ownership
state and county sales taxes have been paid and documents listed above and a completed Appli-
provide any required odometer reading and/or cation for Registration/Title (MV-82) signed by the
damage disclosure statement. If the ownership dealer’s representative. Examine the ownership
proofs listed below are not available from the documents carefully before closing the sale.
seller, contact any motor vehicle office or a DMV
Call Center before you purchase the vehicle. If you purchase a used vehicle from a dealer
registered outside New York State – the proof of
To apply for registration, you must complete ownership is the title certificate or transferable
a Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82). registration signed over to the dealer by the previ-
You must also present proof of name (6 points) ous owner, plus the bill of sale and/or invoice from
and proof of date of birth. For additional informa- the dealer and other proofs from the dealer.
tion see Registering a Vehicle in New York State
(MV-82.1), available from the DMV website (search For a used vehicle purchased from a private
under Forms) or at any motor vehicle office. When seller – the proof of ownership is the “Certificate
your vehicle is registered, you will get vehicle of Title” (MV-999), or a transferable registration for
plates, a registration document and a registration 1972 or older models, signed over to you. The sell-
sticker for the windshield or vehicle plates. If you er must complete and you must acknowledge with
purchased the vehicle from someone other than your signature, the correct odometer and damage
a New York State registered dealership, you will disclosure statements.
also receive a 10-day inspection extension sticker
on request when you register the vehicle. You Before you accept the title certificate from any
must then have the vehicle inspected within 10 seller, check the front of the title for the names
days from the date of registration. It should have and addresses of “lien” holders. A lien indicates
a valid inspection sticker if you purchased the the current owner owes money on a loan for the
vehicle from a New York State registered dealer. vehicle. If a lien is listed on the title, ask the seller
The dealer must have the vehicle inspected within to give you proof the lien has been paid – in most
30 days before they sell the vehicle to you. cases, it is an official lien release from the lender.