New York Private Car Sale Checklist

Selling or buying a car privately in New York means documenting the transaction between the two parties and completing the official NY DMV steps for the title transfer and registration. New York DMV recommends using the MV-912 Vehicle Bill of Sale for private sales — it is the form designed for this exact purpose and is distinct from the MV-50, which is used by licensed dealers.

This checklist walks you through what each side typically needs to do under New York law, from the moment you agree on a price to the moment the buyer drives away registered.

Seller checklist (New York)

• Gather your vehicle details: VIN, plate number, year, make, model, trim, current odometer reading.
• Take a clear photo of the odometer at the moment of sale (NY uses a federal odometer disclosure on the back of the title for vehicles less than 20 years old).
• Confirm the title (MV-999) is in your name and is free of liens. If there is a lien, contact the lender for a lien release.
• Complete the MV-912 Vehicle Bill of Sale with the buyer's full name, address, the price (or gift indication) and as-is terms. Both parties sign.
• Sign the back of the title to assign it to the buyer and fill out the federal odometer disclosure section.
• Remove your license plates from the vehicle before the buyer drives away — in New York plates stay with the seller, not the car.
• Remove the registration sticker from the windshield.
• Return the plates to a NY DMV office (or surrender them online) so you can stop your insurance and get any refund of unused registration fees.
• Notify your insurance company that you sold the vehicle.
• Keep a copy of the signed MV-912 bill of sale, the front and back of the assigned title, and a photo of the odometer.

Buyer checklist (New York)

• Verify the VIN on the dash and the doorframe matches the title.
• Inspect the vehicle and write down the exact odometer reading.
• Sign the MV-912 Vehicle Bill of Sale together with the seller and keep your copy.
• Receive the signed title from the seller with the odometer disclosure on the back filled in.
• Obtain valid New York auto insurance — you cannot register the vehicle without an NY insurance ID card.
• Complete form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration / Title Application) and form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction) for the sales tax (or gift).
• Visit a NY DMV office within 30 days of the sale with: the signed title, the MV-912 bill of sale, the MV-82, the DTF-802, your NY insurance ID card, proof of identity, and payment for sales tax and title/registration fees.
• Receive your new plates, registration document, and a new title (mailed by NY DMV).
• Keep copies of all documents and the DMV receipts.

Documents to keep

• Signed MV-912 Vehicle Bill of Sale (PDF or printed copy).
• Photos of the vehicle, the VIN plate and the odometer at sale time.
• Copy of the signed title (front and back).
• Payment confirmation (bank transfer receipt, cashier's check stub).
• Plate surrender receipt (seller).
• DMV receipts for sales tax, registration and title fees (buyer).