VS-144 Form – The VS-144 form is the official New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV) document titled “Facility Requirements for Junk and Salvage.” It serves as a mandatory checklist for anyone applying to register or certify a junk and salvage business in New York.
Revised in August 2024 (VS-144 8/24), this one-page form outlines every document and compliance item you must submit with your application. Failure to meet even one requirement results in automatic denial of your junk and salvage facility application.
Who Needs to File the VS-144 Form?
You must complete and satisfy all VS-144 requirements if you plan to operate any of the following in New York:
- Vehicle dismantler
- Salvage pool
- Itinerant vehicle collector
- Mobile car crusher
- Scrap processor
- Scrap collector
- Out-of-state junk and salvage business doing business in NY
- Repair shop that disposes of major component parts to junk/salvage businesses
The form works together with the VS-1JS Original Facility Application and the detailed regulations in CR-81 (Information & Regulations for Junk & Salvage Businesses).
Complete VS-144 Checklist: All Facility Requirements
According to the official VS-144 form, all of the following must be met or your application will be denied. Here is the full current checklist (verbatim from the August 2024 revision):
- Proof of business name — Corporation/LLC: NYS Department of State Filing Receipt + stock ownership percentages. Partnership/assumed name: Notarized DBA (Business Certificate of Assumed Name) filed with county clerk + phone bill showing business name at the address.
- Photo IDs — Copies of driver licenses or government-issued photo ID for all owners, officers, and LLC members.
- Tax Certificate — Copy of NYS Department of Tax and Finance Certificate of Authority (DTF-17A) or valid Tax ID number.
- Application fee — Signed check or money order payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” (starter checks not accepted).
- Completed VS-1JS — Fully signed Original Facility Application for Junk and Salvage Business.
- Federal EIN and Workers’ Compensation — Provide your FEIN and, if you have employees, proof of Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance.
- Zoning approval — Proof of zoning (less than 10 years old) from the local municipality allowing a Vehicle Dismantler or Salvage Pool at your exact location.
- Refrigerant recycling equipment — Manufacturer’s certificate or invoice proving approved motor vehicle refrigerant recycling/recapturing equipment (required by Vehicle & Traffic Law §415-a).
- NYC-specific permits (if located in Queens, Kings, Richmond, Bronx, or New York counties) — Fire department permit + NYC Department of Consumer Affairs licenses (second-hand auto dealer, general & second-hand auto dealer license).
- Municipal license for scrap processors — Required under General Business Law §69-f.
- Permanently-bound book of registry (if required by CR-81).
- Facility number display — Your seven-digit facility number must appear on all advertising, business stationery, and vehicles.
- Adequate safeguard for records.
- Proof of ownership — For all vehicles and major components currently in stock.
- Main entrance sign — Must display the seven-digit facility number and the registered business name.
How to Download the Official VS-144 PDF?
Direct download link (always current version):
https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/vs144.pdf
You can also find it on the official NY DMV Junk and Salvage Businesses page along with VS-1JS and CR-81.
Step-by-Step Guide to Meeting VS-144 Requirements and Getting Approved
- Download and review VS-144 + CR-81 + VS-1JS.
- Gather every document on the VS-144 checklist.
- Complete the VS-1JS application.
- Mail everything (with payment) to:
Bureau of Consumer and Facility Services – Application Unit
P.O. Box 2700, Albany, NY 12220-0700 - Schedule and pass the DMV facility inspection (automotive facilities inspector will verify everything listed in VS-144).
- Once approved, you receive your seven-digit facility number and must immediately display it per CR-81 rules.
Processing time and exact fees are listed on VS-1JS (registrations are valid for 2 years, $100 per business type).
Key Operational Facility Requirements from CR-81 (Beyond the VS-144 Checklist)
While VS-144 is the application checklist, CR-81 contains the full legal standards you must maintain daily:
- Signage — Six-inch-high block letters for the facility number and name at the main entrance; two-inch-high numbers on transport vehicles.
- Record-keeping — Permanently bound books of registry, 5-year retention (3 years for some itinerant collectors), chronological entries, proof of ownership for every vehicle and major component.
- Permanent location — Must meet local zoning and General Municipal Law §136.
- Refrigerant equipment — Must be EPA-approved and documented.
- MV-907A forms — Strict rules for acquisition, transfer, and reporting of junk/salvage vehicles within 15 business days.
Common Mistakes That Cause VS-144 Application Denials
- Missing zoning proof or using outdated zoning documents
- Submitting starter checks
- Forgetting refrigerant equipment proof (dismantlers)
- Incomplete owner/officer photo IDs
- Not displaying the facility number on all advertising after approval
- Failing to provide Workers’ Compensation proof when required
Frequently Asked Questions About the VS-144 Form
Is VS-144 the only form I need?
No — you must submit VS-144 requirements plus the completed VS-1JS application.
How long is the registration valid?
Two years (renewal required).
Do out-of-state businesses need VS-144?
Yes, if they do any junk/salvage business in New York.
Where can I get help?
Call the DMV Office of Vehicle Safety and Clean Air at (518) 474-4643 (forms) or (518) 474-0919 (questions).
Ready to Start Your Junk and Salvage Business?
Download the official VS-144 PDF today and ensure every requirement is checked off before you apply. Compliance with VS-144 and CR-81 is mandatory under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §415-a.
Official sources (always verify latest versions):
Stay compliant, avoid costly denials, and operate your New York junk and salvage facility legally. Questions? Contact the NY DMV directly using the numbers above.