Selling or junking a car in New York

How do I sign over a car title in New York?

Complete the 'Transfer by Owner' section on the back of the title, printing the seller's and buyer's names and addresses and the transfer date, and only at the moment of sale. The DMV rejects titles with cross-outs, alterations or erasures of any kind. Signing on the 'Seller's Signature' line makes the vehicle belong to the buyer immediately. Complete the odometer disclosure for vehicles from model year 2011 or later that are 20 model years old or newer. Complete the damage disclosure on every vehicle, whatever its age. Also sign a Vehicle Bill of Sale (MV-912) showing year, make, VIN, sale date, price and both parties' names and signatures. For a gift or below-market sale to someone other than a close family member, the seller completes Section 6 of tax form DTF-802.

Can I sell or junk a car without a title in New York?

Vehicles from model year 1972 and older use an original NY transferable registration, signed on the back by the seller, plus a bill of sale instead of a title. For 1973 and newer, if you don't have a valid title you may sell the vehicle only for scrap using Form MV-35. The vehicle must be worth $1,250 or less and at least 8 model years old. Only the owner may use the form, and only to sell to a DMV-registered vehicle dismantler, itinerant vehicle collector or certified scrap processor, never to a private party, tow truck driver or charity. The business attaches copies of the owner's and delivery agent's ID and sends the form to DMV within 15 business days. The vehicle can never be titled again.

How do I get a duplicate title in New York?

Use Form MV-902, Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title, at a DMV office or by mail to the DMV Title Bureau. The fee is $20. Once the duplicate is processed, the original title and any earlier duplicates are void.

Do I need to file a release of liability in New York?

DMV has no notice-of-sale form. Protect yourself by removing the plates and registration sticker before the sale; plates and stickers left on the vehicle can lead to tickets that aren't yours.

What do I do with the plates after selling a car in New York?

Plates stay with the seller. Take the plates and registration sticker off before the sale. Either transfer them to another vehicle or return them to a DMV office promptly. If you surrender them during the first year of a two-year registration, you can get a 50% refund (minus $1), or you can apply the remaining registration as a credit to another vehicle's new registration.

What happens to the title when a car is junked or salvaged in New York?

Insurers and businesses acquiring damaged vehicles use the Salvage Certificate (MV-907A). A vehicle is salvage when repairs exceed 75% of its pre-damage retail value because of collision, theft, vandalism or water. DMV won't title a rebuilt vehicle whose MV-907A or out-of-state title is marked 'parts only', 'non-rebuildable', 'non-repairable', 'scrapped' or 'destroyed'. When a dismantler takes a vehicle on an MV-35, it attaches copy 2 of the MV-907A marked 'For Parts Only'.

What can I do about an abandoned vehicle on my property in New York?

A vehicle left on someone else's property for more than 96 hours without permission is abandoned. Local authorities (the city, town or village) are authorized to take custody of it. If the vehicle is worth $1,250 or less wholesale, is 10 or more model years old and has been abandoned at least one month, the property owner can transfer it to a registered dismantler or itinerant vehicle collector using MV-37 (Statement of Abandoned Vehicle). Otherwise, ask local police to authorize a tow. Before disposing of it, always check with police that the vehicle isn't reported stolen.

Official sources

1. NY DMV - Information and Instructions About Your Certificate of Title
2. NY DMV - Buy, Sell, or Transfer Vehicle Ownership
3. NY DMV - Acceptable Proofs of Ownership for Vehicles
4. NY DMV Form MV-35 (Statement of Vehicle Owner Who Does Not Have a Valid Title)
5. NY DMV - Refunds and Transfer Credits for Surrendered Plates
6. NY DMV - Salvage Vehicles
7. NY DMV - Abandoned and Unclaimed Vehicles

This guide summarizes public rules and is not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS DMV) before you sell.