This is from NY DMV page. The law is preety clear, the only question is how they view the AV, as a pickup or SUV. If they view it as a pickup we would all need comm plates so I doubt thats the case. That being said my 2 tickets are bogus
Can I get a passenger class registration for my pick-up truck and drive the truck on parkways?
You can get passenger class plates for a light-duty pick-up truck that has an unladen weight of 5,500 lbs. or less.
See form MV-114 (Information For Pick-Up Truck Owners) to get more information.
The agency that controls a parkway decides if pick-up trucks with passenger class plates are allowed on the parkway. To make sure you can drive your pick-up truck on a parkway, contact the agency that manages the parkway. Some parking regulations and traffic regulations in New York City depend on the type of vehicle plates on your vehicle. Passenger class plates on your pick-up truck can change how NYC regulations affect you. Contact New York City about their regulations.
What pick-up trucks qualify for passenger class plates?
A pick up truck that is not changed and has an open bed can qualify for passenger class plates if the truck:
is used only for non-commercial purposes, and
has an unladen weight of 5,500 lbs. or less (the unladen weight of your pick-up truck is listed on the title certificate and on the door sticker), and
does not have any business advertisements on the truck.
How to apply
You are not required to apply for passenger class plates for your pick-up truck. You can continue to use commercial plates on your pick-up truck.
The unladen weight of your pick-up truck is stamped on a metal plate and located on the door of your vehicle. The unladen weight is also listed on your title certificate. The unladen weight is different from the maximum gross weight (MGW) listed on your registration documents. Before you apply, make sure that the unladen weight of the truck is 5,500 lbs. or less.
Passenger class plates on a pick-up truck do not change the MGW listed on the registration documents or the unladen weight listed on the title certificate. Passenger class plates on a pick-up truck do not change the registration fees. The DMV requests the unladen weight to verify that your pick-up truck is eligible for passenger class plates. The DMV does not change the unladen weight or the MGW.
You must apply in person at a DMV office. You cannot apply by mail, by phone, over the Internet, or by e-mail. Complete form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration / Title Application). Make sure to complete section 6, question 4. You must bring your title certificate and proofs of identity and date of birth, and surrender your commercial plates. The fee is $16.00.
The registrant of a pick-up truck that is leased or rented must submit a form provided by the leasing company or owner of the pick-up truck. The form must certify that the vehicle will not be used for commercial purposes.
The DMV office will issue new registration documents and standard passenger plates with anew number. If you had custom plates or personalized plates, your new registration documents will list the numbers from your custom plates or personalized plates and the standard series plates. The DMV will send new passenger custom or personalized plates by mail.
If your registration will expire in less than 60 days, you can renew your registration at a DMV office and change to passenger class plates when you renew.
You can also get passenger plates with no additional fee when you register a pick-up truck for the first time.
Pick-up trucks that weigh more than 5,500 pounds:
If you have a pick-up truck that has an unladen weight of 5,501 lbs. or more, you cannot apply for passenger class plates through the process described above. You must modify the truck to qualify for a passenger class registration and passenger class plates. Learn more about vehicle modifications for registration class changes.