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All vehicles used upon the highways of this state must be registered.
The registration of motor vehicles is handled by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Motor vehicle registration expires on dates determined by the Commissioner (staggered registration). Renewal of registration may take place during the 45-day period preceding the expiration date of the registration.
New York requires registrants of trucks weighing 55,000 pounds or more to present proof of payment of the Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax.
Carriers owning vehicles subject to the New York Highway Use Tax (HUT) must obtain a certificate of tax clearance before registering or re-registering their vehicles with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. The certificate of tax clearance is issued by the Department of Tax and Finance upon payment of HUT. When purchasing a used vehicle that was previously registered for the highway use tax, obtain Form MT-370.1 before completing the purchase. If the seller owes any monies (including having delinquent tax returns) under the highway use tax, DMV cannot register the vehicle.
Number plates must be conspicuously displayed, one on the front and one on the rear of such vehicle.
If only one number plate is issued it must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle and no plate may be displayed on its front, except in case of a tractor, when the number plate must be displayed on the front of the vehicle.
A trailer must have its number plate displayed and fastened on the rear.
New York grants automatic interstate reciprocity on vehicle registration and licenses to carriers from the non-IRP jurisdictions of NT and YT.
New York is a participating member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). Under IRP, an interstate carrier files an application with the jurisdiction in which he/she is based. The IRP agreement allows the base jurisdiction to collect the registration fees for the other IRP jurisdictions.
All qualified interstate commercial motor vehicles must obtain IRP apportioned license plates from their base jurisdiction: A “qualified” or “apportionable vehicle” under the IRP is any vehicle (except a recreational vehicle, vehicles displaying restricted plates, and government-owned vehicles) used or intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions that allocate or proportionally register vehicles and is used for the transportation of persons for hire, or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property and:
Trucks, truck tractors, and combinations of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less may be proportionally registered at the option of the registrant or at the discretion of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Note that such vehicles choosing not to apportion are subject to individual jurisdiction registration laws. Many jurisdictions require vehicles of 26,000 pounds or less to obtain trip permits before operating intrastate and or interstate.
IRP registration requirements:
New York IRP registration requirements:
The base jurisdiction issues a set of plates and a cab card for each vehicle. The cab card is vehicle specific and lists jurisdictions and corresponding registered weights. The original cab card must be carried in the vehicle. Photocopies will not be accepted by enforcement.
One Stop Credentialing and Registration (OSCAR): Five New York State agencies involved in regulating motor carrier activities have designed a one stop shopping website which allows a single point of contact to apply, change, pay for, and receive the operating credentials for HUT, IFTA, IRP, and UCR.
Temporary Permit: New York issues a temporary 30-day permit that allows established carriers to change their current IRP fleet by adding vehicles, replacing a lost/stolen cab card, replacing a lost/stolen plate, transferring a plate, creating a new fleet, increasing registered weight, and fleet-to-fleet transfer. There is a processing fee.
Hunter's Permit: A hunter’s permit is issued to an owner-operator (lessor) who terminates a lease and has to surrender the apportioned license plate and cab card to the carrier (lessee). The non-transferable hunter's permit is valid for 30 days for vehicles operating at unladen weight only.
Agency: Department of Motor Vehicles; see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).
Registration fees for tractors, household goods tractors, trucks, household goods trucks, full-trailers, tow trucks, and agricultural trucks are based on maximum gross weight.
Semitrailer Registration Fee
Semitrailer annual registration fee applies.