New York Driver License: Owning a Vehicle

22 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Owning a Vehicle. Free, no account needed.

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1. At what minimum age can someone register a vehicle in their own name, even though a title can be held earlier?

  1. 16
  2. 18
  3. 14
  4. 21

Answer: A — 16

A vehicle can be registered starting at age 16, while a title may be held at any age.

2. Someone just moved to New York and now considers it their home state. Within how many days of establishing residency must they register their vehicle there?

  1. 30
  2. 60
  3. 90
  4. 10

Answer: A — 30

New residents have 30 days from establishing residence to register their vehicle.

3. A driver buys a used car from a private seller, not a dealer, and registers it. Within how many days of that registration must the car be inspected?

  1. 45
  2. 60
  3. 10
  4. 30

Answer: C — 10

A vehicle bought from anyone other than a New York dealer must be inspected within 10 days of registration.

4. What does registering a vehicle, as opposed to titling it, actually authorize?

  1. Certifies the vehicle passed inspection
  2. Allows the vehicle to be driven
  3. Proves who legally owns the vehicle
  4. Certifies that sales tax was paid

Answer: B — Allows the vehicle to be driven

Registration is what permits the vehicle to be driven; the title is what proves ownership.

5. A buyer purchases a used vehicle from a New York dealer. Besides the dealer's Certificate of Sale, which document does the dealer provide as proof of ownership?

  1. A Ten-Day Time Extension
  2. The previous owner's Certificate of Title
  3. A Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin
  4. A Statement of Transaction

Answer: B — The previous owner's Certificate of Title

For a used vehicle sold by a dealer, proof of ownership includes the previous Certificate of Title (MV-999) along with disclosures and the Certificate of Sale.

6. A buyer notices a lien holder listed on the front of a car's title. What does this indicate?

  1. The owner still owes money and the lender can repossess it without a lien release
  2. The vehicle did not pass its most recent safety and emissions inspection
  3. The vehicle was rebuilt from salvage and must be examined for stolen parts
  4. The odometer disclosure on the title was left incomplete by the seller

Answer: A — The owner still owes money and the lender can repossess it without a lien release

A lien holder on the title means money is still owed, and the lender can repossess the vehicle absent an official lien release.

7. A private seller is transferring a car that is six model years old. Which disclosure statements must be completed on the title before DMV will register it?

  1. Only the odometer disclosure
  2. Neither disclosure is required
  3. Only the damage disclosure
  4. Both the odometer and damage disclosures

Answer: D — Both the odometer and damage disclosures

For a vehicle eight model years old or newer, both the odometer and damage disclosure statements must be completed and signed.

8. A car's title has been marked "Rebuilt Salvage." What must happen before it can be registered?

  1. The seller must complete a Statement of Transaction
  2. It must pass an emissions-only inspection
  3. DMV must examine it for stolen parts
  4. The owner must obtain a Ten-Day Time Extension

Answer: C — DMV must examine it for stolen parts

Every vehicle marked Rebuilt Salvage must be examined by DMV for stolen parts before it can be registered.

9. A private sale is priced well below fair market value, and the seller does not complete the Statement of Transaction with the buyer. What happens to the sales tax owed?

  1. No sales tax is owed on a below-market sale
  2. Tax is calculated on the sale price regardless
  3. Tax is calculated on the fair market value instead of the sale price
  4. Tax is waived because the seller did not sign

Answer: C — Tax is calculated on the fair market value instead of the sale price

Without the seller's signed Statement of Transaction for a below-market sale, tax is charged on the fair market value.

10. An insurance agent issues proof-of-insurance cards to a new vehicle owner. How many cards are issued, and what should be done with them?

  1. Three cards, one each for the owner, DMV, and the insurer
  2. Two cards, both mailed to DMV
  3. Two cards; present one when registering and keep the other in the vehicle
  4. One card, to be kept in the vehicle

Answer: C — Two cards; present one when registering and keep the other in the vehicle

Two insurance ID cards are issued; one is presented when registering and the other is kept in the vehicle.

11. A car owner turns in their plates and sticker without ever having used them. Within how many days must they return them to receive a full refund, less a processing fee?

  1. 60 days
  2. 10 days
  3. 30 days
  4. 90 days

Answer: A — 60 days

Unused plates and stickers returned within 60 days earn a full refund minus a processing fee.

12. Before trading in a car, why should an owner remove the plates and windshield sticker first?

  1. To receive a larger trade-in credit
  2. To avoid being charged for parking tickets incurred by the car's next owner
  3. To avoid a mandatory emissions re-inspection
  4. Because the dealer is required to issue new plates

Answer: B — To avoid being charged for parking tickets incurred by the car's next owner

Removing plates and sticker before selling prevents the previous owner from being billed for parking tickets incurred by whoever gets the car next.

13. How far in advance of a registration's expiration does a renewal reminder typically arrive?

  1. 10 to 15 days
  2. 30 days
  3. 45 to 60 days
  4. 90 days

Answer: C — 45 to 60 days

Renewal reminders are typically sent 45 to 60 days before expiration.

14. A vehicle's registration is due to expire on a Sunday. What happens to the expiration date?

  1. It expires at midnight Saturday, before the weekend starts
  2. It expires on Sunday and can only be renewed in person first
  3. It extends to midnight of the next business day, if insurance stays in force
  4. It is automatically extended by a full 30 days from that Sunday

Answer: C — It extends to midnight of the next business day, if insurance stays in force

An expiration falling on a weekend or state holiday extends automatically to the next business day, but insurance must remain in force.

15. A crash injures one other person. What is the minimum liability coverage required for that injury?

  1. $100,000
  2. $50,000
  3. $10,000
  4. $25,000

Answer: D — $25,000

The minimum liability coverage for injury to one person is $25,000 per incident.

16. A registered vehicle has gone without insurance for 90 days. What additional consequence kicks in at that point, beyond the registration suspension?

  1. The license or driving privilege is revoked for at least one year
  2. A civil penalty begins to be charged for each uninsured day
  3. The driver license is also suspended
  4. The plates must be surrendered in exchange for an FS-6T receipt

Answer: C — The driver license is also suspended

After 90 days without insurance, the driver license is suspended in addition to the registration.

17. A driver is found to have been in a crash while uninsured. What happens to their license or driving privilege?

  1. The registration is suspended for 60 days
  2. Only a civil penalty applies, with no license action
  3. The vehicle is impounded for 90 days
  4. The license or privilege is revoked for at least one year

Answer: D — The license or privilege is revoked for at least one year

Being in a crash while uninsured revokes the license or driving privilege for at least one year.

18. A car is sold by a dealer in New York. Within how many days of the sale must it be inspected and carry a certificate before delivery?

  1. 10 days
  2. 30 days
  3. 60 days
  4. 90 days

Answer: B — 30 days

Most vehicles sold in New York must be inspected within 30 days of the sale and carry a certificate before delivery.

19. A vehicle fails its OBD II emissions inspection, and the owner has repairs attempted. What is the minimum those repairs must have cost to qualify for a waiver?

  1. $600
  2. $450
  3. $250
  4. $150

Answer: B — $450

A waiver is available if repairs were attempted and cost at least $450.

20. A gasoline car is 27 model years old. What kind of inspection does it need?

  1. Both a safety and an emissions inspection
  2. Safety inspection only, no emissions check
  3. Emissions check only, no safety inspection
  4. No inspection is required at that age

Answer: B — Safety inspection only, no emissions check

Vehicles 26 or more model years old are exempt from the emissions check and get a safety inspection only.

21. A diesel truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds. Does it need a diesel emissions inspection?

  1. No, only vehicles under 8,500 pounds need it
  2. No, diesel vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections
  3. Yes, because it exceeds 8,500 pounds GVWR
  4. Yes, but only if it is less than two model years old

Answer: C — Yes, because it exceeds 8,500 pounds GVWR

Diesel vehicles over 8,500 pounds GVWR require a diesel emissions inspection.

22. A car owner wants to file a complaint against a repair shop about a repair. Within what timeframe after the repair must the complaint reach DMV?

  1. 90 days or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first
  2. 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first
  3. 60 days or 2,000 miles, whichever comes first
  4. One year, regardless of mileage

Answer: A — 90 days or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first

A repair shop complaint must reach DMV within 90 days or 3,000 miles of the repair, whichever comes first.

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