New York Laws
Article 17 - Other Provisions Relating to Registration and Possession
425 - Repossession of Motor Vehicle or Motorcycle; Garageman's Lien; Notice to Police.

§ 425. Repossession of motor vehicle or motorcycle; garageman's lien;
notice to police. 1. Any person, firm or corporation, or agent, employee
or representative thereof, repossessing or retaking a motor vehicle or
motorcycle pursuant to the provisions of article nine of the uniform
commercial code, or other authority of law, or any contract or
agreement, shall, immediately following such repossession or retaking,
personally appear at a station house or other office of the police
department, or agency or officer performing like functions, in the
locality wherein such repossession or retaking occurred, give notice to
such department, agency or officer of such repossession or retaking and
thereafter and within twenty-four hours of the tenth day after such
repossession or retaking personally deliver or mail by first class mail
to the nearest motor vehicle office of the state or county acting as an
agent of the commissioner pursuant to section two hundred five of this
chapter, (a) notice of such repossession or retaking in such form as the
commissioner may require and (b) the number plates of such motor vehicle
or motorcycle. Notice of such repossession or retaking, including the
name and address of the person, firm or corporation repossessing or
retaking the same, shall also be given within twenty-four hours thereof
to the owner of such motor vehicle or motorcycle, either personally or
by registered or certified mail, or by first class mail, with a
certificate of mailing properly endorsed by the postal service to be
obtained, directed to such owner at his or her last-known address.
Unless the motor vehicle or motorcycle can be repossessed or retaken
without breach of the peace, it shall be repossessed or retaken by legal
process, but nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize a
violation of the criminal law.

2. Any person, firm or corporation, or agent, employee or
representative thereof holding a motor vehicle or motorcycle under a
lien for repairs or storage pursuant to any authority of law, or any
contract or agreement shall return any registration plates for such
vehicle which are in his possession to the registrant upon the
registrant's request, or if not so returned shall, within twenty-four
hours after such request, personally deliver or mail by special delivery
first class mail to the nearest motor vehicle office (a) notice of such
holding in such form as the commissioner may require and (b) the number
plates of such motor vehicle or motorcycle.