2023 New York Laws › VAT - Vehicle and Traffic › Title 3 - Safety Responsibility; Financial Security; Equipment; Inspection; Size and Weight; and Other Provisions › Article 6 - Motor Vehicle Financial Security Act › 312 - Registration of Motor Vehicles.

§ 312. Registration  of  motor vehicles. 1. (a) No motor vehicle shall
be registered in this state unless the application for such registration
is accompanied by proof of financial security which shall  be  evidenced
by  proof  of  insurance  or  evidence  of  a financial security bond, a
financial security deposit or  qualification  as  a  self-insurer  under
section  three hundred sixteen; provided that, if directed by regulation
of  the  commissioner,  upon  renewal  of  registration  an  application
accompanied  by  a  certificate of registration or renewal stub in force
immediately preceding the date of application for renewal, together with
a statement in a form prescribed by  the  commissioner  certifying  that
there  is  in  effect  proof  of  financial  security,  shall  meet  the
requirements of this section. Upon the issuance or renewal of a  private
passenger  automobile  insurance  policy  subject  to  the provisions of
section one hundred sixty-seven-aa of the insurance law,  the  insurance
company  shall  provide  the  insured  with  an  informational statement
outlining the legal and  financial  consequences  of  convictions  under
section  one thousand one hundred ninety-two of this chapter, pertaining
to operating a motor vehicle while under the  influence  of  alcohol  or
drugs.  Such  information  shall be supplied to the company by the state
department of financial services in consultation with the commissioner.
(b) The owner of such motor vehicle shall maintain proof of  financial
security continuously throughout the registration period and his failure
to  produce  proof  of  financial  security when requested to do so upon
demand of a magistrate, motor vehicle inspector, peace  officer,  acting
pursuant to his special duties, or police officer, while such vehicle is
being operated upon the public highway, shall be presumptive evidence of
operating  a motor vehicle without proof of financial security. Upon the
production of proof of financial security such presumption  is  removed.
Production  of  proof  of financial security may be made by mailing such
proof to the court having jurisdiction in the matter, and any  necessary
response  by  such  court  or  acknowledgement of the production of such
proof may also be made by mail. When insurance with respect to any motor
vehicle,  other  than  a  motorcycle,  is  terminated  the  owner  shall
surrender  forthwith  his  registration certificate and number plates of
the vehicle to the  commissioner  unless  proof  of  financial  security
otherwise is maintained in compliance with this article.
2.  No  financial  security bond shall be accepted by the commissioner
unless it is conditioned for payments in amount and under the same terms
and conditions as are  required  for  an  owner's  policy  of  liability
insurance.
3. No financial security deposit shall be accepted by the commissioner
except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  section three hundred
fourteen.
4. The commissioner is  hereby  authorized  to  promulgate  reasonable
regulations  to  provide effective administration and enforcement of the
provisions of this article in accordance with the purposes thereof.
5. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of  this  article,  the
commissioner may by regulation, in lieu of the provisions of subdivision
one  requiring  the submission of a certificate of insurance or evidence
of a financial security bond, require that an  insurance  identification
card be presented each time a vehicle is registered or a registration is
renewed in this state.