When buying a car in New York from out of state, you’ll need to go through the DMV office of the other state to receive a temporary license plate and registration, then move the car to New York.

New York residents buying a car in a different state need to register the vehicle, pay taxes, transfer the certificate of title to New York, and set up a
New York car insurance policy
.
If you’re buying a car in New York to take out of state, an interstate in-transit permit must be obtained, and the vehicle must be registered according to the home state’s regulations.

How to buy a car out of state as a New York resident

If you’re a New York resident who bought a car in another state, you’ll have to worry about three major things:

How to register your vehicle

Where to

pay your taxes

Completing the title transfer in New York

First, you have to get your new car home: If you purchase a vehicle in another state, you will need to go through that state's DMV office to get a temporary plate and registration to transport the vehicle to New York. Most states offer some sort of in-transit vehicle permit or temporary registration.

Once the vehicle is in New York, you need to register and title the vehicle with New York’s DMV: Every passenger or commercial car, truck, motorcycle, or SUV must be registered and titled, regardless of if you own or lease it.

When you purchase a new vehicle through an auto dealership, the dealer can help you register and title the vehicle, and even issue plates—although they may not be able to help you across state borders.

For this reason, you’ll have to go to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV) yourself to sort everything out. You’ll also need to do this if you purchased your out-of-state vehicle from a private party.

Get your vehicle insured: Then, you must register your vehicle at the DMV within 180 days of the effective date on your insurance ID card.

Submit your documents and application to the DMV: You can use the

DMV registration guide

to figure out exactly what original documents you need, but you can generally expect to provide:

Your New York driver’s license

At least one document you have that proves you purchased the vehicle

An out-of-state title showing transfer

Lien information (if applicable)

Your New York insurance card

Pay taxes and fees: Registering vehicles for the first time in the state of New York requires payment of fees and taxes on the vehicle.

Sales tax

Vehicle license plate and registration fees

Vehicle title certification fees, and

Vehicle use tax in some counties

Fees depend on vehicle weight and class and where you live, so the exact amounts cannot be calculated until you apply.

Receive your documents from the DMV:

Your license plates

Registration window sticker

Registration document

10-day inspection sticker

If applicable, the DMV will also send you a new car title certificate

Get your vehicle inspected at a DMV-licensed inspection station.

In Montana, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, a notary must sign the bill of sale. This means that the bill of sale presented to the New York State DMV will have to be notarized.

How to buy a car in New York if you live out of state

What if you want to do the opposite and buy a car in New York, but then take it out of state to where you live?

In this case, you’ll need to visit the New York DMV after purchasing your vehicle to apply for an interstate in-transit permit, which will allow you to transport a vehicle from a location in New York to a location outside the state.

If you purchase your car from a dealership, they may be able to assist you with this process.

Proof of auto insurance in the form of a letter from your provider or an insurance binder will still be required. The proof of insurance letter or insurance binder must include:

The name of the insurance company

Policy number

Expiration date

Effective date

Name and address

Vehicle information (such as year, make, and vehicle identification number (VIN)).

Once you get your new vehicle to your home state, you’ll have to follow their rules and regulations for vehicle registration.

Be sure to check with your local DMV before leaving New York with your new vehicle so that you can be sure that you obtain all of the proper documents from the vehicle seller before taking off.

If you don’t have a physical title

Under most circumstances, when you first register and title a vehicle that you bought in New York, you must provide the DMV with either a certificate of title or transferable registration signed over to you as proof of ownership.

There are certain situations, however, where you might not have the title to a vehicle. Some of these cases include:

Purchasing a vehicle at a sheriff or marshal auction

Abandoned and unclaimed vehicles

Custom or homemade vehicles or trailers

In these cases, other types of proof of ownership may be accepted, such as a copy of the bill of sale. The DMV will advise you in every circumstance.

Tips for buying a vehicle out of state

Buying a car out of state has its benefits. Certain vehicles are only available in certain states, and sometimes crossing state lines can mean greater access to a good deal.

Sometimes, it’s just a geographical coincidence. For example, New York City residents often find themselves shopping in New Jersey.

Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind when car shopping out of state:

Never skip the vehicle history report: This is especially important if you’re buying a used car from a private owner. CARFAX and other services provide vehicle history reports that will alert you to any accidents or other issues in the car’s history.

Schedule your vehicle inspection at home: The car you buy needs to meet the inspection requirements of the state you’ll live, drive, and register the vehicle in—not the state where you bought it.

Don’t forget an emissions test: For some states,

emissions testing

is a part of the process of buying a car!

Research your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws: When you buy a car out of state, you pay taxes based on your home state, not the state of purchase.

Buy

car insurance

before you leave the dealership: If you plan to drive the car back to your home state, don’t set out without insurance! Even if your other paperwork is still in flux, you’ll need to carry insurance that meets New York’s minimum requirements.

“I was nervous to buy insurance for my first car because I had heard horror stories about the insurance prices in New York. After not even two minutes, I found four quotes from
Jerry
under $125/month. By the end of the night, I was on the road safe and insured!” —Reuben R.

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