S. 4147 2
Whenever such notice is so affixed, in lieu of inserting the name of the
person charged with the violation in the space provided for the iden-
tification of said person, the words "owner of the vehicle bearing
license" may be inserted to be followed by the plate designation and
plate type as shown by the registration plates of said vehicle together
with the expiration date AND THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER; the make
or model[, and body type] of said vehicle; a description of the charged
violation, including but not limited to a reference to the applicable
traffic rule or provision of this chapter; information as to the days
and hours the applicable rule or provision of this chapter is in effect
unless always in effect pursuant to rule or this chapter and where
appropriate the word ALL when the days and/or hours in effect are every
day and/or twenty-four hours a day; the meter number for a meter
violation where appropriate; and the date, time and particular place of
occurrence of the charged violation. Service of the notice of
violation, or a duplicate thereof by affixation as herein provided shall
have the same force and effect and shall be subject to the same penal-
ties for disregard thereof as though the same was personally served with
the name of the person charged with the violation inserted therein.
§ 3. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2-a of section 238 of the vehicle
and traffic law, as added by chapter 224 of the laws of 1995, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of subdivision two of
this section, where the plate type or the expiration date are not shown
on either the registration plates or sticker of a vehicle or where the
registration sticker is covered, faded, defaced or mutilated so that it
is unreadable, OR WHERE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS DESTROYED,
COVERED, DEFACED, ALTERED OR OTHERWISE CHANGED IN VIOLATION OF SECTION
170.65 OF THE PENAL LAW, OR WHERE THE AUTHENTICITY CANNOT BE VERIFIED BY
A SEARCH OF THE LICENSE PLATE DATABASE, the plate type or the expiration
date OR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER may be omitted from the notice of
violation; provided, however, such condition must be so described and
inserted on the notice of violation.
§ 4. Subdivisions 3 and 4 of section 402 of the vehicle and traffic
law are amended and a new subdivision 9 is added to read as follows:
3. No person shall operate [or], drive OR PARK a motor vehicle drawing
a trailer on the public highways of the state, unless such trailer shall
have a distinctive number assigned to it by the commissioner and a
number plate issued by such commissioner with a number corresponding to
that of the certificate of registration displayed and fastened on the
rear in the manner provided for number plates on the rear of a motor
vehicle. The provisions of subdivision two of this section relating to
number plates for motor vehicles shall apply to number plates for any
such trailer. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply when a
newly constructed trailer is being drawn to or from a weighing station
solely for the purpose of determining the weight thereof.
4. No person shall operate [or], drive OR PARK a motor vehicle upon
the public highways of this state having displayed thereon number plates
not proper for such vehicle under the provisions of this chapter and,
upon a conviction for this offense, the number plates shall be surren-
dered to the court for delivery to the commissioner. The failure to
produce the certificate of registration or registration renewal stub of
a vehicle, OR A VEHICLE BEARING TEMPORARY REGISTRATION OR INDICIA OF
REGISTRATION ISSUED BY A FOREIGN COUNTRY, STATE, TERRITORY OR FEDERAL
DISTRICT, OR AN AGENT THEREOF, shall be presumptive evidence of display-
ing number plates not proper for the vehicle. Every annual number plate
S. 4147 3
issued shall remain the property of the state until the correct regis-
tration fee is paid. Every number plate of a permanent nature for use
with a removable date tag which shall be issued shall remain the proper-
ty of the state unless and until the commissioner finds that the state
no longer has use for it. Number plates belonging to the state shall be
under the control of the commissioner.
9. (A) IN ADDITION TO THE PENALTIES SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF
THIS SECTION, WHENEVER ANY POLICE OFFICER, OR IN A CITY HAVING A POPU-
LATION IN EXCESS OF ONE MILLION ANY PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSION-
ER OF TRAFFIC OF SUCH CITY, OR ON HIGHWAYS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE
NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY, THE OFFICE OF PARKS AND RECREATION, A
COUNTY PARK COMMISSION, A PARKWAY AUTHORITY, A BRIDGE AUTHORITY OR A
BRIDGE AND TUNNEL AUTHORITY ANY PERSON DESIGNATED BY SUCH OFFICE,
COMMISSION OR AUTHORITY, FINDS A VEHICLE WHICH IS IN VIOLATION OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SUCH OFFICER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE
FOR THE REMOVAL OF SUCH VEHICLE, SEMITRAILER OR TRAILER TO A GARAGE,
AUTOMOBILE POUND OR OTHER PLACE OF SAFETY, OR TO ATTACH A MECHANICAL
DEVICE TO THE WHEEL OR TIRE OF SUCH VEHICLE TO PREVENT ITS USUAL MANNER
OF MOVEMENT PROVIDED THAT SUCH ACT IS DONE BY A PERSON LICENSED TO DO SO
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISION OF LAW.
(B) THE OWNER OR OTHER PERSON LAWFULLY ENTITLED TO THE POSSESSION OF
SUCH VEHICLE MAY BE CHARGED WITH ANY REASONABLE COSTS INCLUDING REMOVAL
AND STORAGE, PAYABLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS RELEASED.
§ 5. The subdivision heading and paragraph (a) of subdivision 4-h of
section 510 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by section 5 of
subpart A of part WW of chapter 56 of the laws of 2024, are amended to
read as follows:
Suspension of registration for covering license plates with a license
plate cover or material appearing to be a number plate [or], obscuring
license plates with any material or substance, DISPLAYING AN IMPROPER
PLATE OR FORGERY OF A VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. (a) Upon receipt of
a notification from a court or an administrative tribunal that an owner
of a motor vehicle has been convicted three or more times within a peri-
od of five years of a violation of PARAGRAPH (A) OR subparagraph (ii),
(ii-a) or (iii) of paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section four
hundred two of this chapter OR SECTION 170.65 OF THE PENAL LAW, not
arising out of the same incident, the commissioner or the commissioner's
agent may suspend the registration of the motor vehicle involved in such
violation for a period of ninety days. The commissioner may, in the
commissioner's discretion, deny a registration or renewal application to
any other person for the same vehicle and may deny a registration or
renewal application for any other motor vehicle registered in the name
of the applicant where the commissioner has determined that such regis-
trant's intent has been to evade the purposes of this paragraph and
where the commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that such
registration or renewal will have the effect of defeating the purposes
of this paragraph. Such denial shall remain in effect only as long as
the suspension entered pursuant to this paragraph remains in effect.
§ 6. Section 402-b of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by section
4 of subpart A of part WW of chapter 56 of the laws of 2024, is amended
to read as follows:
§ 402-b. Obscured and obstructed license plates OR VEHICLE IDENTIFICA-
TION NUMBERS. 1. If any vehicle is driven [or], operated OR PARKED on a
public highway in violation of subparagraph (ii), (ii-a), or (iii) of
paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section four hundred two of this
article, OR SECTION 170.65 OF THE PENAL LAW, and is committed in their
S. 4147 4
presence, a police officer, as defined in section one hundred thirty-two
of this chapter, shall be authorized to take such actions as may be
required or permitted by the provisions of this section.
2. If the vehicle is being driven [or], operated OR PARKED in
violation of subparagraph (ii), (ii-a) or (iii) of paragraph (b) of
subdivision one of section four hundred two of this article, OR SECTION
170.65 OF THE PENAL LAW, such officer shall issue a summons[, provided,
however, that a summons shall not be issued if, in the discretion and at
the request of such officer, the defect is corrected in the presence of
such officer. The refusal of a police officer to permit the repair of
any defect in their presence shall not be reviewable, and shall not be a
defense to any violation charged in a summons issued pursuant to the
provisions of this section] AND CONFISCATE ANY INSTRUMENT USED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE VIOLATION. A VEHICLE BEARING A TEMPORARY REGISTRA-
TION OR INDICIA OF A REGISTRATION ISSUED BY A FOREIGN COUNTRY, STATE,
TERRITORY OR FEDERAL DISTRICT, OR BY AN AGENT THEREOF, SHALL BE PRESUMP-
TIVE EVIDENCE OF A VIOLATION. SUCH SUMMONS SHALL BE ISSUED IRRESPECTIVE
OF ANY CORRECTION OF THE DEFECT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE OFFICER.
3. Any complaint issued for any violation of subparagraph (ii), (ii-a)
or (iii) of paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section four hundred two
of this article may be dismissed by the court before which the summons
is returnable if the violation as set forth in the summons is corrected
not later than one-half hour after sunset on the first full business day
after the issuance of the summons and proof of such correction is
submitted to the court or administrative tribunal. For the purposes of
this subdivision, "business day" shall mean any calendar day except
Saturday and Sunday, or the following business holidays: New Year's Day,
Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Colum-
bus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
§ 7. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 1.20 of the criminal
procedure law, as added by chapter 450 of the laws of 2019, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) an appearance ticket issued for a parking infraction when (i) such
ticket is based on personal knowledge or information and belief of the
police officer or other public servant who issues the ticket, (ii) the
police officer or other public servant who issues such ticket verifies
that false statements made therein are punishable as a class A misdemea-
nor, (iii) the infraction or infractions contained therein are stated in
detail and not in conclusory terms so as to provide the defendant with
sufficient notice including, but not limited, to the applicable
provision of law allegedly violated, and the date, time and particular
place of the alleged infraction, and (iv) such ticket contains: (1) the
license plate designation of the ticketed vehicle, (2) the license plate
type of the ticketed vehicle, (3) the expiration of the ticketed vehi-
cle's registration, (4) the make or model of the ticketed vehicle, and
(5) the [body type] VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER of the ticketed vehi-
cle, provided, however, that where the plate type or the expiration date
are not shown on either the registration plates or sticker of a vehicle
or where the registration sticker OR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER is
covered, faded, defaced or mutilated so that it is unreadable, the plate
type [or], the expiration date OR THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER may
be omitted, provided, further, however, that such condition must be so
described and inserted on the instrument.
§ 8. Section 422 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter
726 of the laws of 1983, is amended to read as follows:
S. 4147 5
§ 422. Special vehicle identification numbers. The commissioner [may]
SHALL, by regulation, provide for the issuance of a special vehicle
identification number. Such regulations shall be applicable whenever a
special vehicle identification number is required by any provision of
law. With respect to a vehicle part for which an inspection is required
pursuant to subdivision two of section four hundred twenty-three-a of
this chapter, a special identification number may consist of a distin-
guishing mark. Such special vehicle identification number shall be
[affixed] ENGRAVED only by or under the direction of a member of the
department of motor vehicles who has the powers of a peace officer
pursuant to section three hundred ninety-two-b of this chapter. A fee of
twenty-five dollars shall be paid to the commissioner before such number
shall be issued, except that no fee shall be required of a governmental
agency.
§ 9. Subdivision 1 of section 431 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
amended by chapter 692 of the laws of 1979, is amended to read as
follows:
1. Every manufacturer or assembler of a vehicle sold in this state
shall [provide such vehicle with] ENGRAVE a vehicle identification
number ON EACH VEHICLE and, upon request of the commissioner, shall
inform [him] SUCH COMMISSIONER concerning the location or locations of
every vehicle identification number and other identifying numbers on
such vehicle. The commissioner may refuse to register or issue a certif-
icate of title for a vehicle made by a manufacturer or assembler who
fails to comply with this section.
§ 10. Subdivision 2 of section 420-a of the vehicle and traffic law,
as amended by section 1-b of part A of chapter 63 of the laws of 2005,
is amended to read as follows:
2. A qualified dealer may obtain temporary registrations to be issued
in accordance with the provisions of this section by applying to the
commissioner and paying a fee of five dollars for each such temporary
registration. The commissioner may limit the number of temporary regis-
trations given to a dealer at any one time or the number of unissued
temporary registrations in the possession of a dealer at one time. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL ISSUE A TEMPORARY REGISTRATION TO A DEALER IN ANOTHER
STATE IN SUCH MANNER AS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PRESCRIBE.
§ 11. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 1224 of the vehicle
and traffic law, as amended by chapter 795 of the laws of 1974, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) with no number plates affixed thereto[, for more than six hours]
on any highway or other public place;
§ 12. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
2130-a to read as follows:
§ 2130-A. (A) NO PERSON, FIRM, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION OR CORPORATION
SHALL SELL, OFFER FOR SALE OR PROCESS A TRANSACTION FOR ANY VEHICLE
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN OR ANY CERTIFICATE OF TITLE, INCLUDING VIA AN
ONLINE PLATFORM, IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.
(B) WHENEVER THERE SHALL BE A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, APPLICATION
MAY BE MADE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK TO A COURT OR JUSTICE HAVING JURISDICTION BY A SPECIAL
PROCEEDING TO ISSUE AN INJUNCTION AND UPON NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT OF
NOT LESS THAN FIVE DAYS, TO ENJOIN AND RESTRAIN THE CONTINUANCE OF SUCH
VIOLATION OR TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION; AND IF IT SHALL
APPEAR TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COURT OR JUSTICE THAT THE DEFENDANT
HAS, IN FACT, VIOLATED THIS SECTION, AN INJUNCTION MAY BE ISSUED BY SUCH
COURT OR JUSTICE, ENJOINING AND RESTRAINING ANY FURTHER VIOLATION, WITH-
S. 4147 6
OUT REQUIRING PROOF THAT ANY PERSON HAS, IN FACT, BEEN INJURED OR
DAMAGED THEREBY. WHENEVER THE COURT SHALL DETERMINE THAT A VIOLATION OF
THIS SECTION HAS OCCURRED THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT
MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EACH VIOLATION. IN CONNECTION WITH
ANY SUCH PROPOSED APPLICATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS AUTHORIZED TO
TAKE PROOF AND MAKE A DETERMINATION OF THE RELEVANT FACTS AND ISSUE
SUBPOENAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
§ 13. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
402-c to read as follows:
§ 402-C. NOTICE ON SALE OF TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATES. ANY PERSON, FIRM,
PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION OR CORPORATION WHICH DISTRIBUTES OR SELLS, OR
OFFERS TO DISTRIBUTE OR SELL, TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATES OR TAGS OF ANY
OTHER STATE, DISTRICT OR TERRITORY, OR OF ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY, OR A
REPRODUCTION THEREOF, TO ANY RESIDENT OF THIS STATE, INCLUDING THROUGH
AN ONLINE PLATFORM, SHALL PROVIDE A WRITTEN NOTICE STATING, "NOT LEGAL
FOR USE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. A MOTOR VEHICLE BEARING THIS LICENSE
PLATE OR TAG IN NEW YORK STATE MAY BE SUBJECT TO BOOTING OR IMPOUNDING
AT OWNER'S EXPENSE."
§ 14. Subdivision d of section 19-169.2 of the administrative code of
the city of New York, as added by local law number 24 of the city of New
York for the year 1995, is amended to read as follows:
d. In addition to the provisions of subdivision c of this section, no
motor vehicle may be booted (1) unless such vehicle: (I) is unlawfully
parked, (II) HAS OBSCURED OR OBSTRUCTED LICENSE PLATES OR DISPLAYS
NUMBER PLATES NOT PROPER FOR SUCH VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 402 OF
THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, (III) THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS
DESTROYED, COVERED, DEFACED, ALTERED OR OTHERWISE CHANGED IN VIOLATION
OF SECTION 170.65 OF THE PENAL LAW, OR (IV) IS AN ABANDONED VEHICLE AS
DEFINED BY SECTION 1224 OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW; (2) where such
vehicle is occupied by any person or live animal; (3) when such vehicle
is parked on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped, standing or parked
at the curb; (4) where such vehicle is parked in a fire lane, or in
front of or immediately adjacent to a fire hydrant, fire connection or
building emergency exit; (5) unless the express written authorization of
the owner of a private driveway blocked by such vehicle has been
obtained, which authorization includes the location, make, model, color
and license plate number of such vehicle; (6) if such vehicle is an
ambulance, correction vehicle, police vehicle, fire vehicle, civil
defense emergency vehicle, emergency ambulance service vehicle, environ-
mental emergency response vehicle, sanitation patrol vehicle, hazardous
materials emergency vehicle, ordnance disposal vehicle of the armed
forces of the United States; and (7) where such vehicle bears a special
vehicle identification parking permit issued in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph 15 of subdivision a of section 2903 of the New
York city charter or issued in accordance with the provisions of section
1203-a of the vehicle and traffic law, or "MD" New York registration
plates.
§ 15. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdi-
vision, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its
operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or
part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such
judgment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the
intent of the legislature that this act would have been enacted even
if such invalid provisions had not been included herein.
S. 4147 7
§ 16. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law; provided, however, that sections two and three shall
take effect one year after they shall have become a law; and provided,
further, that sections eight and nine of this act shall take effect
three years after they shall have become a law.
