Register and title a car bought privately in New York

To title and register a car bought privately in New York, take the signed title, a bill of sale (MV-912), the sales tax form (DTF-802) and MV-82 to a DMV office in your county. You pay sales tax and the title, plate and registration fees there. The title itself arrives by mail later.

What you need

• The title, with the transfer section on the back completed by seller and buyer
• MV-912, Vehicle Bill of Sale, signed by both (original, not a copy)
• DTF-802, Statement of Transaction, for sales tax
• MV-82, Vehicle Registration/Title Application
• New York insurance card for the vehicle
• Proof of identity
• Payment: cash, most cards, or a check or money order to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”

Seller: step by step

1. Complete and sign the transfer section on the back of the title.
2. Sign MV-912 with the buyer. It needs the year and make, VIN, date of sale, price, and both names and signatures. Both of you can keep photocopies; the buyer gives the original to the DMV.
3. No title? See the DMV’s page on what to do when proof of ownership isn’t available. A name on a NY title can’t simply be changed to someone else’s; ownership has to be transferred.

Buyer: step by step

1. Insure the car. You must register within 180 days of the effective date on your insurance ID card.
2. Fill in MV-82 (registration and title) and DTF-802 (sales tax). Use the DMV’s Registration Guide or fee calculator to see what you’ll owe.
3. Go to a DMV office in your county with everything above.
4. Pay the fees. First-time fees normally include sales tax, a plate fee (or registration transfer fee), a title certificate fee, a vehicle use tax in most counties, and a 1- or 2-year registration fee.
5. Get it inspected within 10 days. You get a 10-day inspection extension sticker at registration. The previous owner’s inspection isn’t valid for you.

The DMV mails your title within 90 days.

Gift or below-value sale?

Write “gift” and a $0 price on the bill of sale and file DTF-802. If the gift (or a sale below fair market value) goes to anyone other than a spouse, parent, child, stepparent or stepchild, the seller or donor must also complete Section 6 on page 2 of DTF-802.

Before you buy

Check the VIN for theft or flood damage with the NICB VINCheck, and read the DMV brochure “Let the Buyer Be Aware”.