MV-44 is the form you use to report a vehicle you no longer own

Form MV-44 is the official New York State DMV form for notifying the department that you have sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of a vehicle. When you sell a car, truck, or motorcycle to another person, you file this form to remove yourself from the registration and liability records. The DMV uses it to update its records so you are no longer listed as the owner.

You file MV-44 after the sale is complete — not before. The form tells the DMV the date you sold the vehicle, who bought it (if you know), and the odometer reading at the time of sale. Once the DMV processes it, you are released from liability for anything that happens to that vehicle afterward, including traffic violations, accidents, or unpaid parking tickets.

This form is separate from the title transfer process. The buyer handles the title; you handle notifying the state that you no longer own the vehicle. Filing MV-44 protects you legally by creating an official record that you are no longer responsible for the car.

Key Takeaways

  • MV-44 notifies New York State that you sold or transferred ownership of a vehicle and are no longer liable for it.
  • You file the form after the sale, not before, and you can file it even if you do not know who the buyer is.
  • The form requires the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale date, and the odometer reading at the time of sale.
  • Filing MV-44 protects you from liability for traffic violations, accidents, or other violations committed after you sold the car.
  • You can file by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through certain online methods depending on your situation.

What information you need to fill out MV-44

Gather these details before you start the form. You will need your name, address, and driver's license number. You will also need the vehicle's VIN (the 17-character identification number found on the dashboard or title), the license plate number, and the date you sold or transferred the vehicle.

If you know the buyer's name and address, include it. If you sold the car to a dealer or private party and do not have their information, you can still file the form — leave those fields blank. The DMV accepts MV-44 even with incomplete buyer information, though having it on file can speed up the process if questions arise later.

You will also need the odometer reading at the time of sale. This is the number of miles on the vehicle when ownership changed hands. Write it down from the odometer or from your bill of sale if you have one.

How to file MV-44 by mail

Print the form from the New York State DMV website or pick up a copy at any DMV office. Fill it out completely in black or blue ink. Sign and date the form — an unsigned form will be rejected and returned to you.

Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form itself. Include a copy of your driver's license or other photo ID if this is your first time reporting a vehicle sale to the DMV. Mail takes one to two weeks to reach the DMV, and processing typically takes another one to two weeks after that.

Keep a copy for your records. You do not need to include payment — MV-44 has no filing fee.

Filing MV-44 in person at a DMV office

Bring the completed form, your driver's license, and a copy of your bill of sale (if you have one) to any DMV office. You can also bring the vehicle title if you have it, though it is not required for this form. Walk-in service is available at most offices, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

The DMV staff will review the form on the spot and tell you if anything is missing. If the form is complete, they will process it when ready and give you a receipt. Processing in person is faster than by mail — you typically leave with confirmation the same day.

Check the DMV website for office hours and locations near you. Some offices are open evenings or Saturdays, which can be more convenient than weekday visits.

When to file MV-44 after you sell your vehicle

File as soon as possible after the sale, ideally within a few days. New York State law does not set a hard important date, but the sooner you file, the sooner you are officially released from liability. If an accident or violation occurs after you sold the car but before you filed MV-44, the DMV may initially contact you — having the filed form on record protects you.

If you sold the vehicle months ago and never filed, you can still file now. The form works retroactively. Write the actual sale date on the form, not the date you are filing it. The DMV will update its records based on the sale date you provide.

Do not wait until you receive a notice or citation for something the new owner did. File proactively to avoid confusion and to establish your timeline clearly.

What happens after you file MV-44

The DMV removes you from the vehicle registration and updates its records to show the vehicle is no longer registered to you. You will no longer receive renewal notices for that vehicle's registration. If the new owner registers the car in their name, the DMV will transfer the registration to them.

You should receive written confirmation from the DMV that your form was processed. This confirmation is your proof that you reported the sale. Keep it with your records. If you ever need to show that you no longer owned the vehicle on a specific date, this confirmation is your documentation.

If you do not receive confirmation within four to six weeks, contact the DMV to confirm the form was received and processed. You can call the DMV customer service line or visit an office in person.

What to do if you lost the title or bill of sale

You can still file MV-44 without the title or bill of sale. The form does not require either document. You only need the VIN, license plate number, sale date, and your information. If you do not have the VIN memorized, you can find it on your driver's license, insurance documents, or previous registration paperwork.

If you have none of those documents, contact the DMV before filing. They can look up the VIN using your name and driver's license number. Once you have the VIN, you can complete and file MV-44.

The bill of sale is useful to have on file but not required for the form itself. If you have one, bring it or include a copy when you file, as it provides additional documentation of the sale date and buyer information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the new owner never registers the vehicle in their name?

File MV-44 anyway. Your responsibility is to notify the state that you sold the vehicle. Once the form is processed, you are no longer liable for the car, regardless of whether the new owner registers it. If the vehicle is later involved in an accident or violation, you have the filed form as proof you no longer owned it.

Can I file MV-44 if I traded the vehicle in at a dealership?

Yes. The dealership is the buyer. You can file with the dealership's name and address, or you can leave the buyer information blank. Either way, the form notifies the DMV that you no longer own the vehicle.

Do I need to file MV-44 if I sold the car to a family member?

Yes. Even if the buyer is a family member, file the form to officially transfer ownership in the DMV's records. This protects you from liability and ensures the registration is updated correctly.

What if I sold the vehicle but the new owner has not registered it yet?

File MV-44 when ready. Do not wait for the new owner to register the car. Your filing creates an official record that you sold it on a specific date. If the new owner registers it later, the DMV will update the records accordingly.

Is there a fee to file MV-44?

No. There is no filing fee for MV-44. You can file by mail or in person at no cost.