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New York License PlateLicense plates in New York serve as vehicle identification tags. They are often designed as metal plates with alphanumeric inscriptions and other features. Besides serving as identification tags, license plates are also required to ensure compliance with certain state regulations. Per Section 402 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, all vehicles registered within the state must have license plates on the rear and front. Operating or parking a vehicle without a license plate on public highways in the state is illegal. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for vehicle registrations and license plate issuance.
The DMV issues different categories of license plates in New York. They include the following:
According to state law, a license plate in New York must not be obstructed by any part of the vehicle or anything it carries. Similarly, license plates must not be intentionally coated or covered with any material, including plastic and glass, that may conceal the characters on them. They must always be kept clean in a condition that makes them readable and clearly visible.
New York License Plate Design and FormatsNew York license plates have featured various designs, formats, and colors in the past and have undergone many changes over several decades. Currently, a standard New York license plate features a gold and blue color scheme on the plate background. The state's name is written in block letters (NEW YORK) on the top of the plate, while a depiction of the Statue of Liberty and the state's motto, "EXCELSIOR", is embossed on the bottom. The plate features landmarks from several parts of New York, including the Montauk Point Lighthouse on Long Island, Niagara Falls, the New York City skyline, and the Adirondack Mountains.
Despite the new Excelsior plate, New York has other license plates with varying designs and formats, and vehicle owners are not required to change them to the new design. They can still keep their Empire Gold and Empire Blue Plates. The state has no specific plate number arrangement for most non-standard license plate types. However, the standard license plate series has three letters followed by four numbers.
Standard License Plate
Colleges Plate
Military and Veterans Plate
New York Vanity License PlateVanity license plates in New York are known as personalized license plates, and they allow vehicle owners to choose alphanumeric characters that reflect their interests as plate numbers. These plates can be used on passenger vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles. Before ordering a vanity license plate in New York, you must check the availability of your preferred combination.
Generally, the DMV prohibits selecting characters that are considered derogatory, obscene, and offensive for vanity license plates. Similarly, personalized plate combinations must not reflect the appearance of an official license plate or consist of six numbers followed by an alphabet. A vanity license plate combination in New York must have at least one letter. The maximum number of characters you can select is determined by the license plate type, as listed below:
Only individuals with valid New York State vehicle registrations that will not expire within 60 days can obtain personalized license plates. You can order a vanity license plate in the state by mail, online, in person, and by phone.
The DMV typically processes new registration documents within 10 days of applying for a personalized license plate and will mail them to you once they are ready. The papers will show the current plate number and new plate combination. Your personalized license plates will arrive in approximately six weeks.
Most Popular New York Special Plate NumbersSome of the most popular specialty license plates in New York are listed below:
New York License Plate LookupNew York license plate lookup is a search service that allows a person to find information about a vehicle registered with the state's DMV. In many cases, a vehicle's license plate number and a state's name are parameters required to search for detailed information about a vehicle. Anyone considering buying a used car in New York is encouraged to check some critical details that the seller may not want to disclose about the vehicle by using a license plate lookup service. For instance, with a license plate lookup, you can get verified information about a vehicle's usage, accident history, maintenance history, and performance-related information. You may also obtain details about the vehicle's recall history, sales history, potential issues, odometer information, and if the vehicle has been reported stolen.
The New York MVD provides a Dial-In System that enables interested persons to search license plates using the plate number or the vehicle owner's name and date of birth. However, this is not a free license plate lookup service. The DMV charges $7 per search when you use the Dial-In System. Alternatively, you can look up a New York license plate using Recordsfinder, a credible license plate search website. With a license plate number and state's name, the search results will return basic information, including the make, model, and year of the vehicle being searched.
It is most convenient to check a vehicle's history in New York using its VIN. However, where the VIN is not readily available, you can use the reverse license plate number search service offered by Recordsfinder to find the details of any vehicle registered in the state. This can help you uncover hidden details/problems about a vehicle before making any major decision, for instance, when purchasing a used car. Typically, vehicle license plate numbers are linked to their VINs in public records, which is why a reverse license plate lookup can help get a vehicle's history and other information.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in New York?You need to register your vehicle with the New York Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) before you can secure a license plate for it in the state. Registration can be done at any local DMV office, but you must have all required documents before visiting. You need the following documents for vehicle registration in New York and, by extension, license plates:
You may also need other types of documents, depending on the type of vehicle being registered. Such documents can be accessed below based on the vehicle type:
Once you have submitted all the required documentation and paperwork at a local DMV office, the DMV will send your registration documents and New York license plates after processing your request within 2 weeks. If you intend to register your vehicle at the DMV office in New York City, Nassau, Onondaga, Rockland, Westchester, Albany, or Suffolk County, make sure to book an appointment online.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and Commercial License Plate in New YorkCommercial license plates are primarily issued for vehicles used for business purposes, while passenger license plates are for vehicles used largely for personal use. However, a vehicle's registration category in New York is mostly based on how it is made - construction, not on its use. A vehicle modification in the state can affect registration class. For instance, making a few changes to a passenger vehicle, like removing all the seats behind the driver and installing a cargo-carrying compartment, qualifies it for a commercial license plate. The main differences between passenger license plates and commercial license plates in New York are stated below:
| Criteria | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Road Restrictions | A pickup truck weighing less than 6,000 lbs registered in the passenger plate class can drive on roads and parkways restricted to non-commercial traffic only in New York | A car registered for commercial purposes with a commercial license plate may not be able to operate on roads restricted to non-commercial traffic only in New York |
| Vehicle Type | Primarily for vehicles designed or built for private use | Identifies vehicles built or owned for business purposes |
In New York, the unwritten rule is to register your car as a passenger car even if you will use it for business. On the other hand, you should obtain a commercial license plate for your truck, even if the vehicle is not primarily for commercial use. The requirements for securing New York passenger license plates and commercial license plates are largely the same. However, vehicle weight plays a role in determining the registration fees. While owners of both vehicle classes pay a $50 title certificate fee and a $25 license plate fee, other fees, including use taxes and supplemental fees, depend on their vehicles' weight. The DMV provides a passenger vehicle registration fees chart and commercial vehicle registration fees schedule on its website.
How To Renew License Plate in New YorkNew York vehicle registrations/license plates expire after one or two years (depending on the registration type) of initial issuance. They must be renewed with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) annually or biennially based on the registration type. The DMV offers vehicle owners multiple methods to renew their vehicle registrations in the state. These include:
Visit a local NY DMV office to submit your registration renewal notice (OP-3 or MV-3) and renewal registration payment. You can submit a completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application Form (Form MV-82) at the DMV office if you do not have a registration renewal notice
Carefully tear out the bottom part of the registration renewal notice (OP-3 or MV-3) received from the DMV. Mail the slip alongside a money order payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or a personal check to the address detailed on the notice. If you were not sent a renewal notice, complete Form MV-82 and mail it alongside a check (use a signed blank check if you do not know the correct renewal fee) to the DMV at:
New York State Department of Motor VehiclesUse the Registration Renewal Portal to renew your New York license plate/vehicle registration. You will need your last name (or business name) as written on the registration plate (registration number), registration class, and a credit card or a pinless debit card for payment. Registration for certain vehicles cannot be renewed online in New York. Such vehicles include the following:
You cannot renew your license plate/vehicle registration in New York if it has expired for over one year. In this case, you must re-register the vehicle. Also, you cannot renew a vehicle with a suspended or revoked registration or that has not been inspected in the past 12 months.
How To Transfer a License Plate in New YorkIn New York, you need all the documents required for vehicle registration to transfer your license plates and vehicle registration to another vehicle owned by you after selling or giving away your old car. In addition, you must provide a completed Statement of Transaction Form if the new vehicle does not currently have a title or transferable registration in your name. These documents can be submitted to any DMV office by mail or in person. Note that this transaction comes at a fee but is always lower than the fees paid for new license plates.
New York License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)It is illegal to check a person's private information by looking up their license plates in New York unless you have a valid reason and are legally authorized. New York's law aligns with the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). The law restricts using a vehicle license plate number or VIN to search a vehicle owner's name or contact information. It also prohibits searching the personal information of previous owners of a vehicle. Under the DPPA, personal information is any information that identifies an individual, including name, telephone number, photographs, SSN, address (except the 5-digit ZIP code), and medical information.
While the DPPA forbids searching a vehicle owner's personal information using their vehicle's plate number, it does not restrict information like a vehicle's accident history and traffic violations. You can look up such information on Recordsfinder, a reliable online public records service provider. Information such as a vehicle's odometer readings, make, model, year, engine capacity, and recall history can also be revealed by looking up a plate number registered to a vehicle in New York. Records of over 269 million registered vehicles in the United States whose license plates are linked to their VINs in public records can be searched online.
Yes. You can get replacement license plates if your New York license plates were lost. The first thing to do if both plates are lost (or one in the case of a motorcycle) is to report it to the police and ask them to issue you a police report. Once you have the police report, visit any local DMV office and surrender your vehicle registration. Complete a Certification of Lost License, Permit, or Plates Form (Form MV-1441.3) in place of a police report if the police agency refuses to complete a police report. Ensure the form bears the date you requested the report and was denied. Submit a completed Form MV-82, proof of identity, police report, and proof of New York insurance at the DMV to request replacement license plates. You will pay $12.50 for a vehicle with one license plate or $25 for a set of two plates.
The police or any other authorized law enforcement agency can see the following information when they run your New York license plate:
Yes, it is possible to search New York license plates for free. Several third-party websites provide free online license plate lookup services, but users may only find basic information on vehicles using such services. Only authorized persons or entities can find vehicle owners' identifying information and other comprehensive details by looking up their vehicle plate numbers, and in such instances, they usually use paid services. New York residents and businesses may want to search license plates for free for my reasons, especially if all that is needed is to find basic information that a free license plate lookup will reveal. For instance, finding a vehicle's specs may not require a paid license plate lookup service.
You can find certain information about any vehicle associated with a New York license plate using the plate lookup services offered by Recordsfinder. Searching with the plate number and state's name can return information such as a vehicle's make, model, year, color, mileage, engine type, body style, and current market price.
Per Section 401 of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, the registration of a registered vehicle in the state must be renewed annually or biennially. The state does not offer a grace period. The validity of a vehicle registration depends on whether it has a one or two-year registration. In New York, you do not even need to be driving to get into trouble with law enforcement for having an expired vehicle registration/license plate. You can be penalized if a police officer runs your license plate even when your vehicle is parked on the street and finds out your registration is expired.
If you get caught operating your vehicle while the license plate has expired for less than 60 days, you will pay at least a $40 fine, which can go up to $300. In addition, you will be required to pay an automatic $93 surcharge. If your license plate renewal has been due for over 60 days and you are caught driving the vehicle, expect to pay between $70 and $300 and the $93 surcharge. While operating a vehicle in New York with a temporary license plate under approved conditions is legal, you will be penalized if you do not get proper registration once it expires. Driving a car with an expired temporary license plate can attract severe punishments, including the possibility of incarceration.
Yes. According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you must return your license plate under any of the following two circumstances:
You can either return your license plates in person or by mail. To return or surrender your New York vehicle license plates in person, remove the plates and stickers, including the fasteners and plate frames. Ensure the inspection and registration stickers are removed from the vehicle's windshield and destroyed. Afterward, complete the Plate Surrender Application Form (Form PD-7) and submit it alongside the license plates at any DMV near you. You will pay a $1 processing fee at the county MVD office, after which you will be issued a surrender receipt (Form FS-6T).
If you want to return your New York license plate by mail while still in the state, remove the license plate and mail it alongside a completed Form PD-7 in an envelope to the MVD at:
New York State Department of Motor VehiclesAfter processing your request, the DMV will mail you a Form FS-6T (plate surrender receipt) and a refund check (if applicable) to the address on your registration. Make sure to change your address before mailing your license plate and request if the one on your registration is no longer current. If you are relocating outside New York, then you should file an address change with the USPS so the DMV can mail your receipt to your new address. If you are already in another state and want to return or surrender your New York license plates, you can surrender them to the Department of Motor Vehicles in your new state. You do not need to mail them to the New York State DMV.
New York requires vehicle owners to return their license plates after relocating to another state. If you permanently move out of the state and fail to return your license plate, your registration and driver's license may be suspended. This may jeopardize your ability to obtain a driver's license wherever you are.
The size of a standard New York vehicle license plate is 12" x 6", while a motorcycle license plate measures 7"x4".
Temporary license plates, also known as in-transit vehicle permits in New York, are only valid for 30 days, beginning from the issue date. Generally, you will need a temporary license plate/vehicle registration to take a vehicle purchased in New York to another state. In this case, you must apply for an interstate in-transit permit. On the other hand, you need an intrastate in-transit vehicle permit to take a vehicle purchased within the state to another part of the state for registration.
You can renew your New York license plates using any of the following methods:
Do the following if your license plates are stolen or lost in New York: