Department of Motor Vehicles

DMV REMINDS SNOWMOBILE ENTHUSIASTS TO REGISTER FOR THE SEASON 

Snowmobile Registrations Must Be Renewed Annually

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today reminds New Yorkers to register their snowmobiles. Snowmobile registrations must be renewed annually. DMV allows snowmobilers to renew registrations online on the DMV website, by mail or in person at a DMV office. 

“DMV has made the snowmobile registration process fast and convenient so snowmobilers can easily get out there and enjoy New York’s beautiful and vast trail system,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair. “I wish all snowmobile enthusiasts a safe riding season and remember to operate your snowmobile responsibly and never impaired.”

Learn more about registering a snowmobile in New York State on the DMV’s website at https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-snowmobile. Additionally, members of the New York State Snowmobile Association receive a $55 discount on snowmobile registrations. More information can be viewed here: https://nysnowmobiler.com/membership/.

All snowmobiles operated in New York must be registered and marked with a validation sticker. Riders who complete a registration online can print a temporary certificate, which is valid for 15 days. DMV generates a permanent registration and mails it to the recipient along with their validation sticker. There is no additional charge for the temporary certificate. 

Non-New Yorkers who wish to ride in New York State can register a snowmobile if it is already registered in their home state. They can use the NYS Registration for Out-of-State Snowmobile service to get the 15-day registration and operate their snowmobile here immediately. DMV will send a permanent registration in the mail. 

There are over 10,500 miles in the Statewide Snowmobile Trail System, traversing 46 counties and maintained by over 200 clubs. Revenue obtained through snowmobile registrations is used to support local areas through grants-in-aid for snowmobile trail development and maintenance, which is administered through 52 municipal sponsors. This vast trail network is comprised of lands under the jurisdiction of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), NYS Canal Corporation, national forest land, local governments, and many private landowners who have increasingly opened their property to snowmobiling with insurance coverage provided by the state snowmobile program.

In addition, New York State is a leader in snowmobile education and offers operator training courses for snowmobilers aged 10 and up. This course, taught by experienced snowmobilers who volunteer their time, provides fundamental information which all snowmobilers should possess in order to ensure the safety of riders and other trail users. Successful completion of this course results in the award of an NYS Snowmobile Safety Certificate. For more information, visit https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/snowmobiles/education.aspx. 

Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Erik Kulleseid said, “New York State boasts some of the best snowmobiling in the nation, and it’s an exciting way to experience winter in Upstate New York. We look forward to working with our partners to keep the trail system safe and well-maintained for residents and visitors coming to experience New York in the winter season.”

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “There are more than 10,000 miles of snowmobile trails across New York State for outdoor enthusiasts to experience and enjoy this winter. As always, DEC joins our partners at DMV and State Parks to remind riders to ride responsibly and safely and to carry registration and proof of insurance documents at all times while snowmobiling. Even experienced riders can benefit from taking a snowmobile safety course to protect themselves and others.”

Snowmobilers must always carry registration and proof of insurance documents on them while snowmobiling. Riders must produce the documents at the request of any law enforcement officer or magistrate. Additionally, riders must produce insurance documentation at the request of anyone who is injured or suffers property damage as a result of operating a snowmobile. Holders of snowmobile safety certificates must carry the certificate when they are snowmobiling. 

DMV also reminds snowmobilers that it is illegal to operate a snowmobile while impaired by drugs or alcohol, and drivers and passengers must wear helmets on the state snowmobile trail system. 

For more info on the New York State Snowmobile Trail System and tips for operation please visit Snowmobiling - NYDEC and https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/snowmobiles/. 

Contact a local club or tourism department for trail status and trail conditions where you want to ride.

For more information about DMV, follow DMV at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

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