When you sell or scrap a car in New York, most of the confusion isn't about the sale itself — it's about what the DMV expects you to do afterward. Plates, receipts, and title signatures all follow specific rules, and getting the order wrong can create paperwork problems later. Here's a closer look at what actually matters.
Plates belong to you, not the car
This is the single most misunderstood part of selling a car in New York: your license plates are registered to you, not to the vehicle. When you sell, scrap, or otherwise get rid of a car, the plates don't transfer with it. You're expected to remove them before the car changes hands or gets towed away.
Once the plates are off, they need to be surrendered to the DMV. This closes out your registration on that vehicle and prevents any future confusion about who's responsible for the car on the road.
The FS-6 receipt — and why you should keep it
When you surrender your plates to the DMV, you'll receive an FS-6 receipt as proof of that surrender. This receipt matters more than it might seem like it should. It's your documentation that you did your part correctly and on time — if any question ever comes up about the vehicle after you've sold it (a toll, a ticket, a registration mix-up), your FS-6 receipt is what shows you'd already surrendered the plates and closed things out on your end.
Keep the FS-6 receipt somewhere safe, the same way you'd keep any other piece of paperwork tied to a vehicle sale. A digital photo of it in addition to the paper copy isn't a bad idea.
Why the order matters: plates before insurance
New York requires that you surrender your plates to the DMV before you cancel your insurance on that vehicle. It's tempting to cancel insurance the moment the car is gone, since you're no longer driving it — but doing it in the wrong order goes against the DMV's requirement and can create complications with your registration record.
The safe sequence is:
- Remove the plates from the vehicle
- Surrender the plates to the DMV and get your FS-6 receipt
- Only then, cancel or adjust your insurance policy on that vehicle
If you're ever unsure about timing, check dmv.ny.gov directly or ask your insurance provider before cancelling anything.
Signing over the title
The title is the legal proof of ownership, and transferring it correctly is what makes a sale official. On the back of a New York title, there's a designated seller section — that's where you sign the vehicle over to the buyer. Make sure the buyer's name (or business name, if you're selling to a company) is filled in correctly, and that you're the one signing as the seller listed on the front of the title.
It's worth doing this at the same time as pickup, in person, so there's no gap between handing over the vehicle and completing the legal transfer. Hang onto a copy of the signed title or a bill of sale for your own records — it's your proof that you're no longer the legal owner if any question comes up later.
What if you've lost the title?
Losing a title happens more often than people expect, especially for cars that have been sitting for years. If this is your situation, don't assume the sale is impossible. New York has a process for handling this, but the specifics depend on your circumstances — how long you've owned the car, whether there's a lien, and other details that vary case by case.
The right move is to check dmv.ny.gov for the current requirements, or ask your buyer directly what they need from you. A legitimate buyer will tell you plainly what's possible without a title in hand rather than leaving you guessing.
The short version
If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember the order: plates off the car, plates surrendered to the DMV, FS-6 receipt in hand, *then* insurance cancelled. Sign the title over in the seller section at pickup, and keep copies of everything. Get those steps right and the DMV side of selling a car in New York is genuinely simple — it's just a matter of doing things in the right sequence.
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Frequently Asked
What kinds of cars do you buy?
Just about anything — running or not, wrecked, flooded, rusted out, or missing parts. We make offers on cars that other buyers pass on.
Do I need the title?
Having the title in hand is best — you'll sign it over in the seller section on the back at pickup. If your title is missing, tell us your situation and we'll walk you through what's possible.
How is my offer calculated?
We price your car based on year, make, model, and condition, plus current scrap value. Junk cars typically bring a few hundred dollars, with newer and larger vehicles worth more — get your own instant offer for an exact number.
Is towing really free?
Yes — free towing means $0, no hidden fee, anywhere in New York.
How fast can you pick up?
We move quickly once your offer is accepted. Exact timing depends on your location and schedule, so we'll confirm a pickup window with you directly.
What paperwork do I need in NY?
You'll need your signed-over title, and your plates should come off before pickup. New York requires sellers to surrender plates to the DMV before cancelling insurance, and the DMV issues an FS-6 receipt for the surrender — we'll walk you through it.
What happens to my plates?
Remove your plates before we arrive for pickup. You'll then surrender them to the DMV and keep the FS-6 receipt as your proof of surrender — check dmv.ny.gov for details on the process.
When and how do I get paid?
You get paid at pickup once the vehicle and paperwork are confirmed — no waiting around for a check in the mail.
We’ll Buy It.
Because when it comes down to it, junk cars are our thing. Anywhere in New York.