Off-road does not mean off-radar with the New York Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You still must register off-road transportation including all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobiles.

And while trailers are not considered off-road vehicles, they are considered registration-worthy by the DMV.

ATV Registration

You must register your ATV even if you restrict its use to retrieving mail from the end of your own driveway. There are a few exemptions, however. You do not have to register if your ATV is used exclusively:

• Outside of New York State.

• To plow snow.

• For agricultural purposes.

• As transportation at special events.

To register you must visit a DMV office and:

• Complete the Vehicle Registration/Title Application.

• Provide proof of identity.

• Provide proof of ownership. If the ATV is new bring in the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) and either, if applicable, an out-of-state title or a registration certificate. If the ATV is used you'll need to proffer a completed Certification of Sale or Transfer along with the MCO, or a New York State transferable registration signed over to you by the previous owner. If the ATV has never been registered and you lack any of the above documents you will need to complete a Statement of Ownership.

• Provide proof of sales tax payment if you're not exempt. A bill of sale or a sales tax payment receipt from the DMV will serve as sufficient proof.

• Pay a $12.50 registration fee and a $12.50 license plate fee.

Other ATV Stuff

• Both the license plate and registration decal must be affixed to the back of your ATV.

• You cannot legally operate your ATV on public property without liability insurance. You must carry a minimum of $50,000/$100,000 for death, $25,000/$50,000 for injury, and $10,000 for property.

• You do not need a driver's license to operate an ATV in New York State.

• Drivers 15 years old or younger need to contact the DMV regarding restrictions.

Snowmobile Registration

If you plan on zooming your snowmobile on any New York State public property you will need to register it. If you're from out-of-state and plan to ride in New York you must still register it with New York's DMV even if your vehicle is registered with your home state.

To register you must visit a DMV office and:

• Complete the Snowmobile Registration Application.

• Provide proof of identity.

• Provide proof that you either paid the vehicle's sales tax or that you're exempt. If you are required to apply and you have yet to do so you'll need to complete form DTF-802.

• Provide proof of ownership.

• Pay $45 registration fee.

Snowmobile registration numbers are permanent and must be affixed to both sides of your machine's hood. Before attaching be sure that:

• The decal numbers are reflective.

• The numbers are at least three inches tall and adhere to a block style.

• The numbers are a different color from the hood.

• A hyphen or a space divides the last number from the capital letters.

Trailer Registration

Not all trailers have to be registered in New York State. Before hurrying to a DMV office to register check the DMV's trailer list to see if you are exempt.

Homemade and Custom-Built Trailers

Homemade and custom-built trailers, however, need to be registered. But before you ink your name to any forms be sure your trailer complies with the DMV's trailer requirements list.

Vehicle Identification Number Requirements

You will need a vehicle identification number (VIN) for your trailer before registering. To obtain this you must first determine your trailer's unladen weight by weighing it on a certified scale and receiving a certified weight slip.

For questions contact New York State's Department of Agriculture and Markets at (518) 457-3452.

Trailer Weight for VIN

If your trailer weighs less than 1,000 pounds you must visit a DMV office and complete the Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer application. Make sure you have proof of ownership and identification. If everything looks to be in order you'll be assigned a VIN which must be permanently attached (consider welding) to your trailer.

If your trailer weighs 1,000 pounds or more you will need to visit a DMV office and grab an Application for a Vehicle Identification Number and a New York State Insurance Identification Card form (neither can be downloaded).

After completing send both forms along with a $25 payment to the Division of Field Investigations whose address can be found on the VIN application.

Trailer Inspection for VIN

The DMV will then mail you information on when and where to get your trailer inspected along with a Temporary Transport Permit. Be sure to bring to the inspection receipts for the parts you used to craft your trailer. If you pass the DMV will validate your VIN application form and assign a VIN.

Be sure to retain your validated VIN application. You'll need this as proof during registration.

Registration Process

Take to a DMV office the following:

• A completed Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer form if your trailer weighs less than 1,000 pounds.

• A completed Application for a Vehicle Identification Number if your trailer weighs 1,000 pounds or more.

• Receipts for the parts and materials you used to build your trailer.

• The original weight slip.

• A Vehicle Registration/Title Application.

• Either a tax exemption claim or a Sales Tax Receipt (Form FS-6T).

• Proof of identification.

• Cash, check, or credit card to pay all applicable fees. Your fee is based on your trailer's maximum gross weight (MGW).

You'll then be issued a license plate, a plate sticker, and a registration certificate.

If your trailer's unladen weight is below 1,000 pounds your registration will be stamped "transferable." This will serve as your permanent proof of ownership.

If your trailer's unladen weight is 1,000 pounds or more, your registration will be stamped "non-transferable." This is a temporary document. Your permanent title and registration certificate will arrive in the mail within 90 days.

Other Registration Links

• Car Registration

• Boat Registration

• RV & Motorhome Registration

• Custom-Built Car Registration

• Salvaged Vehicles Registration

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