Modifications to a car, pick - up truck, van, motorcycle, or moped can affect its registration class. Important : The DMV cannot examine your vehicle to determine the correct registration class. You must determine the correct registration class for your vehicle. 

Modifications to a motorcycle or moped, including Limited Use Motorcycles- 
If you remove a speed governor that was originally installed to limit the top speed of a moped or add a speed governor that limits the top speed of a moped or motorcycle , you must notify DMV and register the moped or motorcycle in the appropriate class [1]. 

Modifications to cars, pick-up trucks, and vans 
Part 106 of DMV Regulations describes the vehicles that are registered in the' Commercial' class and in the passenger class. Part 106 also describes how some modifications that you make to your vehicle can affect the correct registration class of your vehicle. A description of the modifications appears below. Each description includes a reference to the DMV Regulations [2]. For all vehicle modifications , you must obtain a vehicle weight slip. You can get vehicle weight slips at most vehicle and/or metal scrapyards and from some auto - parts stores and mechanics, especially those specializing in vehicle modifications and camper body / equipment sales and installation. 

Modifications that change a registration from 'Passenger' class to 'Commercial' class 


Cars (Part 106.2 (e)) 
You can register a car in the' Commercial' class if all the seats behind the driver are removed. Instead of the seats , you must install a permanent box or permanent rack to carry cargo. 

Station Wagons and Vans (Part 106.2 (f)) 
You can register a station wagon in the' Commercial' class if all the seats and all the seat fittings behind the driver are removed completely. 

Modifications that change a registration from 'Commercial' class to 'Passenger' class 


Pick-up Trucks (Part 106.6 (b) and (c)) 
You can register a pick - up in the' Passenger' cla

user: Hey, I came here to learn more about modifications done to vehicles that change the class of the vehicle. I'm not sure when that is the case. Can you please explain how it works?

assistant: Are you modifying a pick-up truck?

user: Yes, I wanted to modify my good old pick up.

assistant: In that case you can register a pick-up in the 'passenger' class if it meets certain conditions, depending on its unladen weight.

assistant: Does your modified or unmodified pick-up truck have an unladen weight less than 6,001 lbs?

user: Yes, that is the case.

assistant: Then you can register it in the 'passenger' class if the pick-up truck does not have any business advertisements and it is used exclusively for non-commercial purposes.

user: I see.  I happen to also own a van. What if I install seats behind the driver in a van?

assistant: In that case you must also install seatbelts that meet NY State Occupant Restraint Law requirements. These modifications must be permanent.

user: That's good to know. Let's talk more about vans, shall we?

assistant: Sure. You can register a van in the 'passenger' class if the van has at least one side window behind the driver, and at least one seat or set of seat fittings that is installed behind the driver.

user: What if I plan to install additional seats behind the driver?

assistant: Then you must also install seatbelts that meet NY State Occupant Restraint Law requirements. These modifications must be permanent.