New York relocation guide: car insurance, driver license (no Korean license exchange), vehicle registration, taxes

Everything here was checked on official sources (state agencies, cities, utilities, school districts); each item shows its source and the date we checked it. Rules change — confirm with the agency before you apply.

Renting a home

Security deposit: one month's rent at most, returned within 14 days

Per the New York State Attorney General: - A landlord may require a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, so a landlord cannot collect last month's rent on top of a deposit. If the rent goes up at renewal, the landlord may collect enough to bring the deposit up to the new monthly rent. - Deposits are trust funds belonging to the tenant and may not be mixed with the landlord's money. In buildings with six or more apartments, deposits must be held in an interest-bearing New York bank account, and the tenant must be told the bank's name and address and the amount in writing. The landlord may keep 1% a year as an administrative fee; the rest of the interest belongs to the tenant. - Rent is late only if received more than five days after it is due. The late fee may be no more than $50 or 5% of monthly rent, whichever is less. - Before a lease is signed, the most a landlord can charge for a credit and background check is $20. - The deposit must be returned within 14 days after you move out. If the landlord keeps any money for damage, they must give you an itemized receipt within 14 days; otherwise they must return the entire deposit. - Before moving out you can ask for an inspection and be present for it.

The AG's Residential Tenants' Rights Guide says the 14-day rules apply to units that are not rent-regulated; if your apartment is rent-stabilized or rent-controlled, check separately. If you cannot get your deposit back, the AG's office may be able to help (800-771-7755).

Source: New York State Office of the Attorney General (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Office of the Attorney General (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Office of the Attorney General (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Office of the Attorney General (checked 2026-10-20)

New York City: landlord-side broker fees can't be passed to tenants (FARE Act)

Apartments in New York City (five boroughs)

Per the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP): - The FARE Act took effect on June 11, 2025. Brokers who represent landlords, including brokers who list apartments with the landlord's permission, may not charge their fees to tenants. - No one can require a tenant to hire a broker in order to rent an apartment. - Landlords or their agents must give tenants an itemized written disclosure of all fees, which the tenant signs before signing a lease. - Tenants may still choose to hire their own broker and pay that broker. The law does not bar fees for background and credit checks. - You can file a complaint with DCWP online; include evidence such as texts, screenshots and receipts.

Source: NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) (checked 2026-10-20)

Auto insurance

New York minimum coverage: liability, no-fault and uninsured motorist

Per the New York State DMV and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), a vehicle registered in New York must carry:

Minimum liability limits (DMV) - Bodily injury: $25,000 per person, and $50,000 for death of one person - Two or more people: $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death per crash - Property damage: $10,000 per crash

No-fault coverage of $50,000 — mandatory per DFS. It pays economic losses such as medical costs from your own policy, regardless of who was at fault.

Uninsured motorists coverage — DFS says every auto policy must include uninsured motorists coverage for bodily injury at the same minimums. You can also buy Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (SUM) coverage up to your own bodily injury liability limits.

These are only the legal minimums; you can buy higher limits.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) (checked 2026-10-20)

A New York-registered vehicle needs New York insurance

The DMV says that if your vehicle is registered in New York, you must have New York insurance coverage. The DMV does not accept out-of-state insurance of any type for a New York-registered vehicle.

If you bring a car from another state, arrange New York insurance before registering it in New York (see "Vehicle registration" below); proof of New York liability insurance is part of the registration application.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

Driver license

Residents: New York license within 30 days

Per the New York State DMV: - Once you become a New York resident, you must get a New York driver license within 30 days. - The DMV treats living in New York for 90 days as presumptive evidence of residency. - Drivers with a foreign license do not need a New York license unless they become New York residents; until then, a valid foreign license lets you drive in New York. - Out-of-country students attending school in New York are normally not considered residents.

For reference, Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as of April 2026) lists New York State among places that recognize the Korean English-format driver license: with that license and your passport, short-term driving is allowed without a notarized translation. This is separate from a test-free license exchange; confirm how long it applies before relying on it.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · 외교부 해외안전여행 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea) (checked 2026-10-20)

Korean license holders: no exchange arrangement — written test, 5-hour course and road test required

New York has no driver license reciprocity (test-waiver) arrangement with Korea. - Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs list of U.S. states with reciprocity (as of August 2026) does not include New York. The Korean Consulate General in New York's driver license board covers only the New Jersey arrangement, not New York. - The NY DMV's "Drivers from other countries" page lists no countries whose licenses can be exchanged, and its license exchange page covers U.S. states and territories (and Canadian provinces).

So per the DMV, even with a Korean license you must: 1. Pass the written test 2. Complete the 5-hour pre-licensing course 3. Pass the road test

Good to know: - When you pass the road test, you must give your foreign license to the road test examiner; the DMV says the local office destroys it. Plan ahead if you still need your Korean license. - If your foreign license is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit or a certified translation to the road test. The translation must show your name, date of birth, license expiration date and the vehicle types you may drive. - The Korean Consulate General in New York certifies English translations of Korean licenses: bring your Korean license and passport (originals plus one copy each), pay $4 (cash or money order), and book an appointment first.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · 외교부 해외안전여행 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea) (checked 2026-10-20) · 주뉴욕 대한민국 총영사관 (Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York) (checked 2026-10-20) · 주뉴욕 대한민국 총영사관 (Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York) (checked 2026-10-20)

Visa holders: documents and the 'TEMPORARY VISITOR' notation

Per the NY DMV's page for non-U.S. citizens: - You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to get a New York license, permit or non-driver ID. - Complete form MV-44 and bring documents that add up to the "6 points of identification" on the DMV's ID-44 list. - Bring valid, current, verifiable Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents. Use the DMV's online pre-screening tool to check exactly what you need. - Non-citizens can get standard licenses and IDs, and REAL ID with proof of lawful status. Enhanced licenses are for U.S. citizens only. - With temporary visitor status, your license shows "TEMPORARY VISITOR" and your DHS document expiration date, but neither the card nor your driving privilege expires on that date. If your stay is extended, visit a DMV office with your updated DHS papers to record the new date. - With a New York learner permit and no valid foreign license, you must drive with a supervising driver age 21 or older who has a valid license.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

Vehicle registration and title

New residents register within 30 days

The NY DMV says new residents must register their vehicles in New York within 30 days of becoming a resident (moving). Nonresidents may use their home-state registration in New York.

To register (per DMV's out-of-state vehicle page), you need: - Form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application; instructions in MV-82.1) - Original proof of ownership — photocopies are not accepted (for example, your out-of-state title) - Proof of New York State auto liability insurance - Proof of identity and age - Sales tax payment or exemption paperwork (see the next item)

Good to know: - With your plates and registration you receive a 10-day inspection extension sticker; get a New York inspection before it runs out. - The title certificate is mailed separately and can take up to 90 days. - If a lender holds your title: bring a copy of the title showing your name with the lienholder's certification that it matches the original, plus a letter on the lienholder's letterhead confirming it holds the original title and knows you will use it to register in New York. - Use the DMV's registration fee calculator for exact fees.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

Sales tax on a car bought before you moved: DTF-803 and DTF-804

Per the NY DMV's sales tax page: - If you were not a New York resident when you bought the vehicle, use Form DTF-803 (Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption) to claim the nonresident exemption. The form defines "resident" and "nonresident." - To claim credit for sales tax paid to another state, use Form DTF-804 with the out-of-state dealer's bill of sale showing the price and tax paid. The credit applies only to tax paid to states that have an agreement with New York, and not all states do. - You must get a sales tax receipt from the DMV even when the transaction is exempt.

Check with the DMV or the Department of Taxation and Finance about which form fits your situation.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

State and city income tax

Who is a New York resident for income tax: domicile or 184 days

Per the Department of Taxation and Finance FAQ: - Resident: you are domiciled in New York — your permanent, primary home that you intend to return to. Even if your domicile is elsewhere, you are a resident for tax purposes if you (1) maintain a permanent place of abode in New York for substantially all of the year and (2) spend 184 days or more in New York that year. Any part of a day counts as a day. - Residents pay New York tax on all income, wherever earned. - Nonresidents pay only on New York source income, such as wages for work performed in New York. - Part-year residents split income between the resident and nonresident periods and file Form IT-203; full-year residents file IT-201.

New York City resident tax: you are an NYC resident if your domicile is in the five boroughs, or if you have a permanent place of abode there and spend 184 days or more in the city. NYC residents also pay NYC personal income tax on all income. Nonresidents of NYC do not owe NYC personal income tax, even if they work in the city. Yonkers has its own resident surcharge and nonresident earnings tax.

Your status depends on your situation; check with a tax professional.

Source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (checked 2026-10-20)

Rates: New York State 4%–10.9%, NYC 3.078%–3.876% (2025 tax year)

Per the Department of Taxation and Finance's Form IT-201 instructions for tax year 2025: - New York State income tax is graduated, from 4% up to 10.9% depending on taxable income. For example, for single filers it is 4% on taxable income up to $12,800 and 6% on the $107,650–$269,300 bracket. - New York City resident income tax is also graduated, from 3.078% to 3.876%. - Standard deduction: $8,000 single, $16,050 married filing jointly, $11,200 head of household. - The 2025 return was due April 15, 2026.

For tax year 2026 rates and deductions, check the Department's announcements.

Source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (checked 2026-10-20) · New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (checked 2026-10-20)

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• Send a tip or correction — we check it against the official source first

General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. For prices and quotes, ask a licensed professional.

Last checked: 2026-10-20

Cite this article as: JOBnaru™ — https://jobnaru.com/en/news/new-york-relocation-guide