The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently sued New York City arguing that it is unlawful for the city to require commercial vehicle operators to display an MVT sticker, and won!
The MVT sticker is proof that the operator has paid an annual tax imposed upon non-passenger motor vehicles used principally in New York City or in connection with a business carried on in the City, and passenger vehicles used to transport passengers regularly in New York City. Examples of vehicles included within the reach of this tax are trucks, construction vehicles, camper trucks, taxis and buses. The tax is $1,000 for medallion taxis, $400 for other passenger vehicles and ranges from $40 to $300 for non-passenger vehicles.
On October 20, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rendered a decision barring the City of New York from requiring the display of Commercial Motor Vehicle Tax (CMVT) stamps for commercial vehicles engaged in interstate commerce. The decision does not apply to taxi cabs, however.
This decision means that operators of affected commercial vehicles are not required to display an MVT sticker and police officers cannot properly issue a pink ticket for failure to have one. If you are issued a No MVT Tax Stamp ticket, you should be able to get it dismissed based on the above decision.
Note: A request to reconsider the FMCSA decision is pending so it is possible that this decision would be reversed. However, if you have such a ticket, you should definitely fight it and, for now, you should expect to win.
9 Comments. Leave new
I was recently pulled over and issued a no tax stamp mvt pink ticket. Do I have to get a mvt sticker? Can I fight this ticket based on FMCSA winning their case. All of my business is in NYC.
Donnell Furlow,
As best we can tell from the limited information, it sounds like you are required to have a tax stamp.
Matthew Weiss
matthew weiss,
i run a fleet of 45 trucks registered in NJ. two of my trucks have been issued a pink ticket for No NYC TAX stamp. do i need to get the stickers for my trucks? even though they are registered in NJ but go into the tri-state area to make deliveries?
Alex Palma,
From what you write, it sounds like they do need tax stamps. Call us at 212-683-7373 so we can fully answer your question.
Matthew Weiss
Its 2019 do i need the cmvt or do i not need the cmvt ?? Does the decision still apply in 2019??
Luis T,
The information in this post has not changed, as far as we know.
Matthew Weiss
If i don’t don’t need cmvt sticker for my truck, then do I still have to paid the annual tax? It’s ridiculous that nyc ppl has to pay for it while other non-NYC resident get away with it.
Rick,
If you do not need a MVT, then you do not have to pay the tax.
Only commercial vehicles that regularly use the NYC streets to transport are subject to this tax.
Matthew Weiss
Can you link to the decision?