New York Consolidated Laws, Vehicle and Traffic Law - VAT § 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.