Tedisco Passes Bill to Help Car Owners, Small Businesses and Counties When Vehicles Are Repossessed

The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.5369/A.6215) sponsored by Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) by a vote of 61-0 to help consumers, small business owners and local county governments by extending the time frame in which a car owner has to submit their license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from 24 hours to 10 days.

“This bill is win, win, win for car owners, small businesses and local governments by extending to 10 days the time motorists have to return their license plates to the DMV if their car is ever repossessed,” said Tedisco. “Consumers won’t have to pay to re-register their car during those 10 days and this bill will save tax dollars on paperwork and time spent by county DMV offices re-registering people and small businesses in processing repossessions.”

“This is a great common sense amendment that cleans up and streamlines the current bureaucracy of paperwork involved with repossession of motor vehicles and motorcycles. Thank you to Senator Tedisco for continuing to look for ways to make government more efficient and looking out for the consumer,” said Craig A. Hayner, Saratoga County Clerk, who oversees the Saratoga County DMV.

Under current law, motorists have 24 hours to turn their plates into the DMV but 10 days to pay creditors what they owe to get back ownership on a vehicle.  This creates an additional bureaucratic burden for consumers who after they pay the outstanding balance on their car must then find transportation to a DMV office to pay for the re-registration on their vehicle.  Depending on the weight of one’s vehicle, passage of this law could save consumers between $26 and $71 in re-registration fees.

Tedisco’s legislation makes it more efficient for local county-run DMV offices since they would only have to process those returned plates for vehicles after the 10-day waiting period that will not be returned to their owners.  The bill also helps small businesses that handle the repossession of cars save time and money from not having to rush to turn plates into the DMV within 24 hours and instead let the 10-day waiting period play out before taking action.

The measure also enhances efficiency by enabling repossessing agencies to notify vehicle owners via email and text message in addition to first class mail and through a phone call.

The bill now moves to the state Assembly for consideration. It is sponsored in that house by Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I,REF-Ballston).