Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about the Requirements and the Restrictions for this Transaction:

• Am I eligible to do this transaction?
• What information and documents do I need to complete this on-line transaction?
• Can I use this on-line transaction if I changed my mailing address?
• Can I use this on-line transaction if I changed my name?
• I did not receive a renewal notice in the mail. Can I renew my registration on-line?
• Can I renew on-line if my registration has expired or will expire during the next two weeks?
• Can I renew my registration early? Why do I receive an error message that informs me that I cannot renew early?
• What are the Empire Gold Plate and Same Number options?
• Can I renew my trailer registration later in the year?

Can I use this on-line transaction if I changed my mailing address?

No. Your mailing address on file with the DMV must be your current mailing address.

You cannot:

• Change your address during the on-line transaction, or
• Change your address after the on-line transaction and then receive your document at the new address, or
• Do the transaction on-line and then request that the DMV mail your document to a different address.

If you change your address during a driver license/ID transaction the change does not affect the address on your vehicle registration records.

If you file a request with the US Postal Service (USPS) to forward mail, there is no guarantee that the USPS will forward all DMV documents to the new address.

If the DMV does not have your current mailing address on your DMV records, read the instructions to change your address on DMV documents.

Can I use this on-line transaction if I changed my name?

Yes, but the new document will then display your previous name. You cannot change your name during this transaction. If you recently changed your name, read the instructions to change your name on DMV documents and DMV records.

I did not receive a renewal notice in the mail. Can I renew my registration on-line?

If the reason you did not receive a renewal notice is because of a mail delivery problem or a production problem at the DMV, you can normally renew on-line. You cannot renew your registration on-line if the reason you did not receive a renewal notice is:

• You changed your address and did not file a change of address with the DMV, or
• Your vehicle registration is suspended or revoked, or
• You failed to answer three or more parking tickets in one jurisdiction.

The transaction displays an error message if your registration is not eligible to be renewed or cannot be renewed on-line.

Can I renew on-line if my registration has expired or will expire during the next two weeks?

Yes, you can renew on-line, but there is no guarantee that you will receive your new registration documents before your current registration expires. You cannot operate your vehicle with an expired registration.

When your on-line registration renewal is processed, the DMV records will show that the registration was renewed, but you will not have the documents that prove that your registration is valid. The confirmation messages that you receive on-line and by e-mail are not legal proof that your registration is valid. You must receive the registration documents that are the proof of a valid registration.

To receive your registration documents immediately, you can renew your registration at a DMV office.

Can I renew my vehicle registration early?
Why do I receive an error message that informs me that I cannot renew early?

You can renew your vehicle registration a maximum of 60 days before the expiration date. You cannot renew your registration more than 60 days before the expiration date; you will receive an error message that explains that you cannot renew early.

You can also receive the error message that it is too early to renew your registration if you click your mouse cursor on the button that displays the words "Submit My Order" more than one time during the on-line renewal transaction. Click on the button only one time.

What are the Empire Gold Plate and Same Number options?

New York State recently introduced new Empire Gold plates.

• For most registration classes and types, you have these options for your vehicle plates when you renew:
  
  
  1. Keep your current blue and white Empire plates,
  2. Order new Empire Gold plates with a new, random plate number, or
  3. Order new Empire Gold plates that have the same number as your current plates.
• In most cases, there are additional fees for option 2 and option 3.
• For certain registration classes, Empire Gold plates will automatically be issued with the same number.
• If your registration class is not eligible for an option or options, then the options are not shown in the transaction.
• Before you select the option, the transaction shows you the total fees you would pay for a renewal with each option available to you.

Can I renew my trailer registration later in the year?

Yes. Trailer registrations are valid for one year and expire on December 31. If you will not begin to use your trailer until after December 31, you can renew the registration on a later date, but the expiration date of the renewed registration will be December 31. The pro-rated registration fee you pay is a lower fee. The amount of the fee depends on the date that the DMV processes your renewal.