LOST OR STOLEN LICENSE PLATES

As soon as license plates are lost, stolen or illegible they must be replaced. If BOTH personalized plates are stolen/lost they must be replaced with a new plate - duplicates will not be made.

In order to replace standard plates you must:

• Visit your local DMV office.
• Hand in any remaining license plates.
• Fill in application for title/registration.
• Proof of insurance.
• Proof of identity.
• Pay the license plate replacement fees, $18 for standard plates (this includes fee for duplicate registration documents as well) and $10.50 for vehicles that require only one license plate like motorcycles.

For custom and specialty plates, you must call the DMV's Custom Plates Unit at (518) 402-4838, available from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays.

CUSTOM AND PERSONALIZED PLATES

Regular Series

These are the different types of plates in the regular series: Auto, Commercial, Trailer, Motorcycle and Permanent Trailer Identification. Application forms are available at your local DMV office. Fill them in and submit with the appropriate fees (see below).

Special Interest Plates

New York's Special Interest plates are divided into the following categories: Sports Teams; Causes and Organizations; Counties and Regions of New York State; Colleges, Fraternities and Sororities; Military and Veterans; Emergency Services; Professions; Personalized, Historical and Picture plates. The following is a list of some examples of special interest plates: NASCAR, NBA, Conserve Habitat, Discover Queens, Hudson Valley Region, Fordham University, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, Emergency Technician and New York State Dental Association. Click on these links to access applications forms for replacing the different types of special interest plates - : Sports Teams; Causes and Organizations; Counties and Regions of New York State; Colleges, Fraternities and Sororities; Military and Veterans; Emergency Services; Professions; Heritage and Vintage Plates and Personalized Plates, which don't require application forms and can be ordered online. When you have completed the forms, take them to your local DMV office and submit them with the appropriate fees as stated on each application form (see below).

FEES

The fees for replacing a license plate or getting new plates vary depending on the type of plate you need. For more information on these fees please follow the link for Sports Teams; Causes and Organizations; Counties and Regions of New York State; Colleges, Fraternities and Sororities; Military and Veterans; Emergency Services; and Professions.

Note: For disabled drivers, please see the disability plates brochure and fees.

WHAT TO DO WITH PLATES WHEN BUYING/SELLING A VEHICLE

Under New York Law it is mandatory to retain license plates from a vehicle when selling. You may transfer them to another vehicle or surrender them at your local DMV.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• See DMV hours and locations.
• See link for disabled drivers.
• Please visit DMV.com's New York home page for other topics on driving in this state.