New York State Department of Motor VehiclesFAQ client

When buying a used car in New York State, it's crucial to verify the title. The title certificate shows the ownership history, mileage at the time of each sale, and any liens on the car. To verify a title, look at the title certificate itself. It should have an official DMV watermark. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the title should match the VIN on the vehicle. The name of the seller on the title should match the person selling the car. Also, the title should be free of liens. Please, make sure that the seller properly signs off the title to you and that you fill out the "purchaser" section correctly. Incorrect or incomplete title transfer can cause issues later.

If you scheduled your road test with the wrong certificate number, we advise you to immediately correct this. You can do so by cancelling and rescheduling your road test online at the New York State DMV website. During the rescheduling process, you will have the opportunity to provide the correct certificate number. It's important to make sure that the certificate number matches with your information, since this is a requirement for taking the road test. Please ensure you double-check all the information before finalizing the rescheduling.