Legal Requirements Page

This page is intended to provide guidelines for both the visitor and residents of New York State with regard to the legal requirements associated with snowmobiling. It is not intended nor is it guaranteed to be a one stop knowledge base for all requirements, we make a sincere attempt to keep this page as up to date and as factual as possible however, the Mexico Trail Riders, Inc. in no way guarantee this information to be correct. If anyone should find any incorrect information on this page please send an email to staterequirements@pulaski-boylstonsnow.com. 

For more information please follow this link - > NY State Department of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation  

Download a copy of the comprehensive, easy to use reference guide for people who snowmobile here in New York. It contains practical information for all snowmobilers whether they are experienced or novice, resident or visitor, and adult or youthful operators. Handy check lists are included for your personal use. To download please follow this link  -> Snowmobile Guide

Use these Quick Links for Information On This Page Only

Helmet Law | Operator Age | Documents That Must Be Carried | Display Requirements | Insurance Requirements

 Required Equipment | Operational Restrictions | Operations on Highways | Snowmobiling While Intoxicated | Accidents

How Can I find Out More About Snowmobile Operation In New York | Registration Basics | Exceptions From Registration  

How To Register Your Snowmobile | How Do I register My Snowmobile At My Local DMV Office 

How Do I Register My Snowmobile By Fax (If Out of State!) | How Do I Register My Snowmobile By Mail (If Out of State!)

Helmet Law

No person shall operate a snowmobile or ride as a passenger on a snowmobile unless he or she is wearing an approved protective helmet, except when operating a snowmobile or riding as a passenger on private lands owned by the operator or passenger, or to which the operator or passenger has a contractual right other than as a member of a club or association, and for which no compensation is paid to the owner with respect to such operation.

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Operator Age

Anyone who is at least eighteen years old may operate a snowmobile in New York State without any other qualification except as defined by state and local laws regulating that operation. However, it is recommended that all operators complete a recognized snowmobile operation course of instruction.

Youths between the ages of 10 and 18 years old may operate a snowmobile without adult or other supervision if they have completed a snowmobile safety training course recognized by the State of New York. The Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will issue a snowmobile safety certificate to youths who successfully complete this course. Youths who do not hold this certificate are subject to the same restrictions as children under the age of 10 years.

Children under 10 years old may operate a snowmobile only on lands owned or leased by their parent or guardian, except when accompanied by a person over 18 years old, or by a person over 14 years old who holds a snowmobile safety certificate. However, a child under 10 years old or a youth who does not hold a snowmobile safety certificate may not operate a snowmobile on or across a highway at any time.

Holders of snowmobile safety certificates must carry the certificate when they are snowmobiling.

These documents should always be carried on your person and never left in the snowmobile.

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Documents Required to be Carried

Snowmobilers must carry registration and proof of insurance documents on their person at all times while snowmobiling. These documents must be produced at the request of any law enforcement officer or magistrate. Insurance documentation must be produced at the request of anyone who is injured or suffers property damage as a result of operation of a snowmobile.

Holders of snowmobile safety certificates must carry the certificate when they are snowmobiling.

These documents should always be carried on your person and never left in the snowmobile.

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Display Requirements

Snowmobiles already registered in another state or province must be registered at a Motor Vehicle office or a snowmobile dealer who participates in the state's prepaid registration program. Snowmobiles legally registered in another state or province are NOT required to display the New York State registration number decals, only the yearly validation stickers. The stickers must be displayed next to the home state or province registration sticker or number. Snowmobile registration numbers are permanently assigned when the sled registered for the first time. For those first registered prior to August 1995, owners must provide the assigned numbers. Those numbers must be clearly displayed on each side of the snowmobile's hood. They must be reflectorized, block style, at least 3 inches high in in a contrasting color. A hyphen or space must be provided between the last numeral and the capital letters. After August 1995, newly registered snowmobiles will receive a Registration Decal set. The decals are to be displayed on each side of the hood. Yearly validation stickers will be issued and are to be placed on the upper left-hand corner of the decal. On pre-1995 registered snowmobiles, the yearly validation stickers are to be placed to the left of the numbers.

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Insurance Requirements

All snowmobiles operated on any part of a roadway or shoulder of a highway in New York State must be covered by minimum liability insurance.

New York State Parks law requires snowmobilers to carry liability coverage in the minimum amount of $10,000 for an accident involving one person, $20,000 for an accident involving two or more persons, and $5,000 for property damage from one accident.

Proof of insurance must be carried by the Snowmobiler and must be displayed on request of any magistrate, law enforcement officer, or anyone who has suffered personal injury or property damage as a result of the Snowmobilers actions.  

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Required Equipment

Anyone operating or riding on a snowmobile in New York State must wear an approved safety helmet except when operating on property owned by the operator or passenger.

Any snowmobile operated in New York State must meet minimum equipment requirements:

• Working muffler. The sound produced by a snowmobile manufactured after June 1, 1980 must not exceed 73 decibels on the A scale [dB(A)].

• Head light. The white or amber head light must be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred feet in normal atmospheric conditions.

• Tail light. The red tail light must create a red light that is plainly visible for a distance of at least five hundred feet to the rear during darkness under normal atmospheric conditions.

• Reflector material. A minimum of sixteen square inches of reflective material must be mounted on each side of the cowling.

New snowmobiles offered for sale in this state normally provide all of this equipment. The New York State registration sticker also meets the reflectorized material requirement.

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Operational Restrictions

Snowmobiles may not be operated in any careless, reckless, or negligent manner, or in any way that harasses other people or wildlife.

It is UNLAWFUL to operate a snowmobile:

• At a speed greater than reasonable or prudent under the surrounding conditions;

• While the operator is intoxicated;

• Without the required lights and other equipment;

• On the tracks of an operating railroad;

• In any tree nursery or planting in a manner that damages growing stock;

• On private property without the consent of the owner;

• Towing a sleigh or toboggan except with a rigid tow bar;

• In any way that the operator fails to yield to an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction;

• In any way that fails to comply with a lawful order from a police officer;

• On a frozen body of water within one hundred feet of a skater, ice fisherman, ice fishing house, or other person not on a snowmobile except at the minimum speed required to maintain forward motion;

• Within one hundred feet of a dwelling between 12 midnight and 6 AM at a speed greater than the minimum speed required to maintain forward motion.

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Operation On Highways

Operation of snowmobiles on highways depends on the classification of the highway and the prevailing conditions. In all cases where highway operation is allowed, all snowmobiles MUST be in single file on the right hand side of the road, except to overtake and pass another snowmobile.

Snowmobiles MAY:

• Be operated on the shoulders and inside banks of highways, other than limited access highways, PROVIDED that the highways have been designated AND posted for snowmobile use by the proper governing authority;

• Be operated on designated highways for a distance not to exceed 500 yards to gain access to operational areas or trails adjacent to the highway;

• Be operated on the OUTSIDE banks of highways other than limited access highways;

• Be operated on highways, other than limited access highways, when necessary to cross a bridge or culvert;

• Be operated on county, town, city, or village highways which are customarily unplowed and unused by wheeled vehicles during the winter months. These roads MUST be designated as such by the governing authority;

• Make a direct crossing of any highway other than limited access highways at any time of day provided that:

• The crossing is made at approximately a ninety degree angle, and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;

• The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the highway;

• The snowmobile operator yields the right of way to all oncoming highway traffic.

Snowmobiles MAY NOT:

• Be operated on the New York State Thruway, other interstate highways, or other limited access highways. The only exception to this law is during a snow emergency as declared by the Thruway authority or other agency having authority over the highway in question.

• Pull a person on skis or in a sleigh, sled, or toboggan on or across any roadway.

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Snowmobiling While Intoxicated

A new law, effective November 1, 1999, allows courts to suspend an individual's privilege to operate a snowmobile, if he/she is convicted of snowmobiling while intoxicated or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and may include suspension of the snowmobile registration. In addition to the suspension, the law provides for stiff penalties and sanctions for such offenses. Individuals who refuse to submit to a chemical test will immediately receive a suspension of their privilege to operate a snowmobile, pending a DMV hearing. 

As of November 1st, 2003 the blood alcohol content (BAC) threshold for operating a snowmobile while intoxicated was changed from .10 BAC to .08 BAC. The measure adjusts the snowmobiling BAC standard to match the recently enacted .08 BAC standard for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) as well as Boating While Intoxicated. Under the new law, a person found to have a BAC level of .08 or more while snowmobiling, could face jail time of up to 15 days and a fine of up to $350.

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How can I find out more about snowmobile operation in New York.

Ask for the booklet "Snowmobile New York State" (C-69), available from the DMV or the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

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Accidents

Accidents and Accident Reporting Despite the best precautions, accidents do occur. In case of an accident involving a snowmobile, the operator must stop immediately. 

The operator is legally obligated to render assistance, to the best of his or her ability, to other persons affected by the accident. The operator is also legally obligated to show his or her certificate of registration, and youthful operator's certificate (if required), and to identify himself or herself by name, address, and snowmobile identification number IN WRITING to any person who is injured or suffers property damage. 

If the person suffering the injury or property damage cannot be located at the accident site, the snowmobile operator is legally obligated to file an accident report with the nearest police agency within 24 hours. 

Any snowmobile accident resulting in a personal injury, or in property damage exceeding $100, must be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency or magistrate, with a copy sent to OPRHP. The operator of any snowmobile involved in a reportable accident must file a complete written report within 7 days of the accident. 

Snowmobile accident report forms are provided by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and are available at any police station.

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Registration Basics

Any snowmobile operated in New York State must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), even if it is registered in another state or province, except under certain special circumstances. Registration is done at the time of sale by the dealer. A snowmobile obtained in a private sale or from an out-of-state source may be registered by the new owner at any Motor Vehicle office or by a dealer participating in the state's prepaid registration program.

$20 of each resident and $30 of each non-resident registration goes to the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund.  This fund supports 9,100 miles of public snowmobile trails in New York State, snowmobile safety education programs and enforcement of NYS snowmobile laws!

All NYS registrations expire on august 31st of each year.

Proof of insurance is not required at time of registration.

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Exemptions from Registration Requirements

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How to Register Your Snowmobile

Any snowmobile operated in New York State must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), even if it is registered in another state or province.  Owners of snowmobiles that are registered outside of New York State who are registering for the first time in New York State must provide a photocopy of the same ownership documents required in their home state (MCO/MSO, registration/transfer stub, and/or Bill of Sale/invoice). No sales tax is due on snowmobiles already registered in another jurisdiction.   

NY State Department of Motor Vehicles (Follow Link For More Information)

Snowmobile and trailer registration information:

DMV Call Centers:
In area codes 516 or 914, call 1-800-342-5368
In area code 718, call 966-6155
In area code 212, call 645-5550
In all other area codes, call 1-800-225-5368

How do I register my snowmobile at my local Department of Motor Vehicle Office?

• Complete the snowmobile registration application MV-82SN.
• Complete Sales Tax form DTF-802 or provide proof of exception or tax paid (see Forms page for additional tax situations and forms).
• Show proof of ownership and bill of sale. Nonresidents may use photocopies of proof of ownership and are not required to pay NY sales tax if the snowmobile is registered in another state.
• Show proof of identification.
• Pay registration fee ($25 annually for NY residents, $35 annually for non-residents).

How do I register my snowmobile by Fax? - If Your From Out Of State This Is The Ticket!

To register by fax. The fee for New York State Residents is $25 and Non Residents is $35

1. Fax your current registration or title (proof of ownership)
2. Copy of your driver’s license
3. Copy of your credit card. Please also handwrite your credit card numbers in case the card is not readable. (This information will be destroyed after your registration is processed.) Remember $25 for Residents or $35 for Non Residents
4. The New York State snowmobile registration application MV-82SN.
5. Fax all documents to: Herkimer County Clerk - (315) 866-4396

How do I register my snowmobile by Mail? - If Your From Out Of State This Is The Ticket!

To register by mail. The fee for New York State Residents is $25 and Non Residents is $35

1. Copy of your current registration or title (proof of ownership)
2. Copy of your driver’s license
3. Check or Money Order for $25 for Residents or $35 for Non Residents (Make out to Herkimer County Clerk)
4. The New York State snowmobile registration application MV-82SN.
5. Send all documents to: 

Herkimer County Clerk 

109 Mary Street, Suite 1111

Herkimer, New York, 13350

Phone (315) 867-1133

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