New York – The plan to require all current vehicle registrants to obtain new license plates when their registrations expire has been cancelled. This means you will not be required to purchase new plates when you renew your registration.

While the mandatory reissuance of license plates has been cancelled, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin issuing new Empire Gold (blue and gold) vehicle plates in place of the current Empire (blue and white) plates beginning April 1, 2010. The Empire Gold plates will be phased in gradually as the stock of Empire plates is depleted. Even though your Empire (blue and white) plates will still be valid on your vehicle, those plates will no longer be issued by the DMV when current stocks are gone.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get the new Empire Gold plates when I renew my vehicle registration?

No. You will be allowed to keep your current plates when you renew your registration.

When and how can I get the Empire Gold plates?

You can apply for the new Empire Gold plates as explained below.

As of April 1, 2010, Empire Gold plates will only be available in DMV offices for the following registration classes: passenger, commercial and trailer. You can request Empire Gold plates over the counter from any DMV office when you:

Complete an original registration transaction, or Renew your registration, or Replace your current plates (i.e. you want to change your current plates to Empire Gold plates with a new plate number, or you need to replace a lost plate).

As of May 17, 2010, you can order Empire Gold plates when you:

Renew your registration on-line, by phone, by mail or at a DMV office, or
Replace your current plates on-line, by phone or at a DMV office without a renewal.

If you complete your transaction in a DMV office and request Empire Gold plates, but the office does not have the plates in stock, you will receive the new registration document at the time of the transaction and the plates will be sent to you in the mail.

If you request Empire Gold plates on-line, by mail or by phone, the new plates and registration documents will be sent to you separately in the mail. In most cases, you will receive the new registration documents in the mail before you receive your plates.

To avoid traffic tickets, put the new registration document on your vehicle even if your new plates have not yet arrived. Put the new plates on your vehicle as soon as you receive them.

You must pay a plate fee of $25 for a two plate set and $12.50 for vehicles that receive only one plate (for example, motorcycles and trailers). The plate fee is in addition to any other fees for your transaction.

Will I be able to keep my same plate number?

Yes. As of May 17, if your vehicle is registered in the passenger (PAS), commercial (COM), motorcycle (MOT), trailer (TRL) or other specific registration classes you can keep the same plate number from your current plates on your new Empire Gold plates for an additional fee of $20.00.

What is the plate fee, and do I have to pay it?

You will not be required to get new Empire Gold plates and pay a plate fee when you renew. You can renew and keep your current plates.

If you need a new plate, or you choose to get new Empire Gold plates, you will pay a plate fee.

By law, the fee for a set of two vehicle plates will increase from $15 to $25 on April 1, 2010. The fee for a single plate (for example a plate for a trailer or motorcycle) will increase from $7.50 to $12.50. The plate fee will be the same for the Empire blue and white plates (while they are still available) and the new Empire Gold plates. You only pay the fee when:

Your registration transaction requires that new plates be issued (i.e. replace lost plates), or You choose Empire Gold plates to replace your current plates.
If I have a personalized passenger, commercial, motorcycle or trailer plate, will I have the option to keep the same plate number if I request Empire Gold plates? Do I have to pay the $20 fee to keep my personalized plate number?

As of April 1, 2010, you will have the option to request Empire Gold personalized plates. You will be charged the $25 plate fee for a set of two new plates, or $12.50 for vehicles that receive single plates. You will not be charged an additional fee to keep your same number, because you currently pay an annual personalized plate fee.

What do I do with my Empire plates once I receive my new Empire Gold plates in the mail?

Do not return your old plate(s) to the DMV. Recycle your old plates based on local guidelines.

(Source: NYS DMV)