Vehicle license or registration - New York

License plate display

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.

Reciprocity

New York grants automatic interstate reciprocity on vehicle registration and licenses to carriers from the non-IRP jurisdictions of NT and YT.

International Registration Plan

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:

1. Is a power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds or 11,793.401 kilograms; or
2. Is a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
3. Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds or 11,793.401 kilograms gross vehicle weight.

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:

1. Base jurisdiction — The jurisdiction in which an applicant applies for apportioned registration under the International Registration Plan. To register in the “base jurisdiction” the applicant must have an established place of business in the jurisdiction.
2. Established place of business — a physical structure owned or leased by the applicant located in the base jurisdiction with a street address and open for business and staffed by permanent employees of the applicant performing the general management of the truck-related business. The fleet operational records must be maintained at this location or made available according the provisions of IRP. Proof that the applicant has an established place of business within the base jurisdiction is required. This proof must indicate the actual street address where the business is located; a P.O. Box number is not acceptable.
3. Current New York registration — A Schedule A&C (form IRP-6), Schedule B (form IRP-5) and (for new accounts only) IRP Mileage Audit Certification form (IRP-15).
4. Vehicle title — Acceptable proof must be submitted prior to registration.
5. Insurance — An original bar coded NYS Insurance Identification Card (FS-20, FS-21, FS-77), or a copy of FMCSA authority (MC) permit, or NYS DOT permit in the registrant’s name.
6. Proof of payment of the Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (IRS Form 2290) — for vehicles registering at 55,000 pounds or more.
7. Power of attorney — Notarized power of attorney is required if IRP schedules are signed by someone other than the registrant or a corporate officer. Originals are required; new power of attorney must be submitted with each renewal.
8. Registration certificate for heavy weight trucks — Vehicles 44,801 pounds or more complete letter “R” in Vehicle Information (new accounts) or Additions on Schedule A & C (IRP-6 or IRP 6A) or send completed Registration Certification of Heavyweight Vehicles (MV-3W.3).
9. Overweight permits — Must be obtained from appropriate regulatory agency to register at a weight higher than the allowable weight for a jurisdiction.
10. Proof of incorporation — Documentation from the NYS Department of State or a certified copy of certificate of incorporation issued by another state.
11. Proof of Doing Business As (DBA) — Individuals and partnerships must provide a copy of the filing with the County Clerk. Corporations must provide a copy of the filing with the New York State Department of State.
12. Inspection — Used vehicles must be reinspected upon private sale or transfer; for other vehicles, schedule signature certifies inspection in past 12 months.
13. Highway Use Tax (Truck Mileage Tax) — Vehicle subject to TMT (over 18,000 pounds must submit proof of clearance, if previously registered in New York.
14. Proof of identity — A list of acceptable proof of identity documents for registration and title purposes in New York is available on form ID-82 “Proofs of Identity.”
15. Payment in full — If you are mailing in application forms do not send payment with your application. You will be billed by the IRP. All payments must be by certified check, bank draft or money order. No uncertified funds or personal checks are accepted. If you are processing transactions via the internet on the OSCAR System, payment must be made by major credit card in order to complete the transaction.

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).