N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 312: Registration of motor vehicles

§ 312. Registration of motor vehicles. 1. (a) No motor vehicle shall

be registered in this state unless the application for such registration

is accompanied by proof of financial security which shall be evidenced

by proof of insurance or evidence of a financial security bond, a

financial security deposit or qualification as a self-insurer under

section three hundred sixteen; provided that, if directed by regulation

of the commissioner, upon renewal of registration an application

accompanied by a certificate of registration or renewal stub in force

immediately preceding the date of application for renewal, together with

a statement in a form prescribed by the commissioner certifying that

there is in effect proof of financial security, shall meet the

requirements of this section. Upon the issuance or renewal of a private

passenger automobile insurance policy subject to the provisions of

section one hundred sixty-seven-aa of the insurance law, the insurance

company shall provide the insured with an informational statement

outlining the legal and financial consequences of convictions under

section one thousand one hundred ninety-two of this chapter, pertaining

to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or

drugs. Such information shall be supplied to the company by the state

department of financial services in consultation with the commissioner.

(b) The owner of such motor vehicle shall maintain proof of financial

security continuously throughout the registration period and his failure

to produce proof of financial security when requested to do so upon

demand of a magistrate, motor vehicle inspector, peace officer, acting

pursuant to his special duties, or police officer, while such vehicle is

being operated upon the public highway, shall be presumptive evidence of

operating a motor vehicle without proof of financial security. Upon the

production of proof of financial security such presumption is removed.

Production of proof of financial security may be made by mailing such

proof to the court having jurisdiction in the matter, and any necessary

response by such court or acknowledgement of the production of such

proof may also be made by mail. When insurance with respect to any motor

vehicle, other than a motorcycle, is terminated the owner shall

surrender forthwith his registration certificate and number plates of

the vehicle to the commissioner unless proof of financial security

otherwise is maintained in compliance with this article.

2. No financial security bond shall be accepted by the commissioner

unless it is conditioned for payments in amount and under the same terms

and conditions as are required for an owner's policy of liability

insurance.

3. No financial security deposit shall be accepted by the commissioner

except in accordance with the provisions of section three hundred

fourteen.

4. The commissioner is hereby authorized to promulgate reasonable

regulations to provide effective administration and enforcement of the

provisions of this article in accordance with the purposes thereof.

5. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of this article, the

commissioner may by regulation, in lieu of the provisions of subdivision

one requiring the submission of a certificate of insurance or evidence

of a financial security bond, require that an insurance identification

card be presented each time a vehicle is registered or a registration is

renewed in this state.