N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 222
The commissioner, upon application of a person, or upon his own application, may grant an exemption from any requirement of this chapter relating to registration or equipment to any designated vehicle for the purpose of testing, demonstration or experimentation. Any such exemption shall be limited to specific areas and times, and such exemptions shall be evidenced by a certificate issued by the commissioner or his designated agent, which certificate shall contain a description of the vehicle, the exemptions granted, and the areas and times to which the exemptions apply. For the purposes of this section, testing, demonstration or experimentation shall be limited to such activities being performed at the request of, or with the consent of a governmental agency. For the purposes of articles six, seven and eight of this chapter, a certificate issued pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be a registration, and all the provisions of articles six, seven and eight of this chapter with regard to proof of financial security at the time of registration and all the penalties found in said articles with respect to the failure to maintain such financial security shall apply to vehicles for which a certificate is issued pursuant to this section.
N.Y. Veh. and Traf. Law § 222