After you sell or give away a vehicle , you can transfer the registration and vehicle plates to another vehicle you own. 

Bring these items to a DMV office [1] 
original title or other proof of ownership 1 current NY State Insurance ID card auto liability insurance 2 NY State driver license , permit , non - driver ID or other proof of identity 3 a completed Application for Registration / Title PDF [2] MV-82 payment for fees 4 Print this checklist [3 ] For quicker service , make a reservation online before visiting offices in New York City, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Onondaga, Monroe or Albany Counties. For all other counties , see our office locations and hours [1]. Make a Reservation [4 ] If you don t want to transfer the registration , you must surrender the vehicle plates to the DMV [5]. You may be eligible to receive a refund [6] if you surrender the plates before the registration expires. 

Transfer the of a vehicle (buy, sell, or give away) 
See Buy or sell a vehicle transfer ownership [7 ] Cars , trucks , trailers & motorcycles Model year1973 or newer , either NY State Certificate of Title original or certified copy, not a photocopy with the transfer ownership section completed by the seller , or acceptable proof of ownership from another state original or certified copy, not a photocopy Model year 1972 or older , either a NY State Transferable Registration original or certified copy, not a photocopy and bill of sale [8], or acceptable proof of ownership from another state original or certified copy, not a photocopy See acceptable proofs [9] for other vehicles manufactured homes, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, gifted vehicles, vehicles with deceased owners. Your insurance company will: 1) give you 2 barcoded original NY State Insurance ID cards (see a sample [10]) or provide you with access to your digital electronic NY State Insurance ID Card 2) send an electronic notice of insurance coverage to the DMV (your insurance agent or broker cannot file th

user: What needs to be done when I sell my vehicle?

assistant: When  you sell a vehicle you need to transfer the registration. To do this you need to take either the original title or other proof of ownership to a DMV office.

assistant: In which state is the vehicle registered?

user: In NYC.

assistant: As the vehicle is registered in New York City, to facilitate quicker service, you can make a reservation online before visiting the DMV office.

user: What happens if I don't have a current driver ID card?

assistant: If you don't have a current driver ID card there are other kinds of proof that you can use.

user: What are the hours of operation of the DMV office?

assistant: You can check the hours of operation by calling your local DMV office.

user: What forms are required to transfer the registration of a vehicle?

assistant: You will be a completed Application for Registration/Title MV-82 form.

user: What happens if I don't want to transfer the registration?

assistant: If you don't want to transfer the registration you must surrender the vehicle plated to the DMV. When you surrender the plates to the DMV you may be eligible to receive a refund if the plates are surrendered before the registration expires.