Department of Motor Vehicles
NYS Introduces New "Empire Gold" Vehicle Plates

New Empire Gold Plate	Current Empire Blue and White Plate	Blue Banner Picture Plate

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) began to issue new Empire Gold (blue and gold) vehicle plates in place of the current Empire (blue and white) plates on April 1, 2010. Even though Empire (blue and white) plates will still be valid, 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 will receive Empire Gold plates when you:

• Apply to replace plates that are lost or stolen, or
• Apply for a new (original) registration and do not transfer the plates or registration from another vehicle, or
• Order new personalized plates.
• You will have the option to order Empire Gold plates when you:
  
  
  • Renew your registration online, by mail or at a DMV office, or
  • Order Empire Gold plates to replace your current plates at a time your registration is not due to be renewed. You can order Empire gold plates by phone, online or at a DMV office.

If you request Empire Gold plates online, 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. 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 increased from $15 to $25 on April 1, 2010. The fee for a single plate (for example, a plate for a trailer or motorcycle) increased from $7.50 to $12.50.

You only pay the fee when:

• Your registration transaction requires that new plates be issued (for example, replace lost plates), or
• You choose to replace your current plates with Empire Gold 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?

When you renew your registration, you 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. You can order Empire Gold plates when you renew online.

If your registration is not due to be renewed, but you want to order Empire Gold personalized plates to replace your current personalized plates, you can order Empire gold plates online or at a DMV office. There is an additional $3.75 plate exchange transaction fee to order Empire Gold plates when there is not a registration renewal.

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.

For a statewide list of local recycling coordinators, visit the web site of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Before you recycle your old plates, use a permanent ink marker to cross out the plate number or otherwise deface the plates. For your own protection, separate the plates and put them in the recycle bin during different weeks.