Registration FAQs

Do I need to register my snowmobile?

All snowmobiles need to be registered with Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The lone exception to this is if you intend to only operate your vehicle on your own property. The registration year for snowmobiles stretches from September 1 to August 31. All registered vehicles must display a valid Vermont trails maintenance assessment decal on the left side of the snowmobile next to a registration sticker.

Do all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) require registration?

They must be registered on a biannual basis with the DMV. You must complete a Vermont Registration, Tax and Title Application and pay a $35 fee.

What is the Purchase and Use Tax?

It must be paid to the DMV when registering and/or titling your vehicle. It is based on a rate of 6% of the purchase price or the average trade-in value (determined by NADA, the National Automobile Dealers Association), whichever is greater, minus the value of any vehicle you traded in to purchase this vehicle or any other allowable credit.

Must I get my car inspected?

Car inspections are required once a year at a state-approved vehicle inspection station. An inspection sticker will be affixed to your windshield to serve as legal proof that it passed. Unfortunately, you must pay for all inspection costs. To avoid payment shock, you should ask the garage inspecting your vehicle if it charges a flat inspection rate or by the hour.

After I register my vehicle, how much time do I have before I must have it inspected?

You have a 15-day window. If you drive the vehicle during this period without an inspection sticker, make sure your car is in sound working condition and meets Vermont's safety inspection standards.

What if my vehicle fails inspection?

You must pay for all needed repair costs in order to get your vehicle up to par. To operate a Vermont-registered car without a valid inspection sticker is considered illegal. For more information, consult the DMV's downloadable Periodic Inspection Manual.

How do I order a duplicate title?

Grab a pen and complete an Affidavit of Loss of Certificate of Title and Application for Duplicate. When you submit this, also include a $28 duplication fee ($15 if it's for a boat, snowmobile, or ATV).

I submitted my registration renewal ages ago, so where on Earth is my registration?

Phone your bank to learn whether or not your check has been cashed. If it has been cashed, jot down the check's routing numbers and then call the Vermont DMV at (802) 828-2000.

I lost my registration. How do I request a new one?

Fear not, for all you must do is complete a duplicate registration application and mail it along with a $12 fee ($2 if it is for a snowmobile or vessel).

I need replacement license plate decals. What should I do?

Simple. Submit Form TA-VL-15 and be sure to mark the appropriate boxes in section E.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

Do I have to pay registration fees on a non-operational vehicle?

No.

When you decide to resume driving it again, you must re-register the vehicle by completing Vermont's registration application, making sure to check the renewal box in section 1A.