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Snowmobiling in New York
There are over 8,500 miles of snowmobiling trails across New York State. New York State Parks and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offer snowmobiling on state lands. Local governments have improved their snowmobile trails and facilities over the years, also many private landowners have opened their property to snowmobiling. In 1985, New York State Parks was given the responsibility to plan for the development and maintenance of a statewide trail system. State Parks also administers the Snowmobile Trail Fund which, using snowmobile registration fees, provides grants to local governments, park regions and the DEC to improve snowmobiling trail systems and facilities. Visit New York State Parks @ www.nysparks.com/snow
Ride safely, respect the environment and landowners' property, enjoy riding in NY State !
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS TO OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE IN NEW YORK STATE OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS
Anyone who is at least sixteen 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 16 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 that successfully complete this course. Youths who do not hold this certificate are subject to the same restrictions as children under 10 years of age. Children under 10 years of age may operate a snowmobile only on lands owned or leased by their parents or guardian, except when accompanied by a person over 18 years old, or by a person who holds a snowmobile safety certificate. Children under 10 years of age or a youth that does not hold a safety certificate may not operate a snowmobile on or across a highway at any time.
REGISTRATION
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 special circumstances. Registration is not required for snowmobiles:
- operated exclusively on the owner's property, - for snowmobiles operated in approved competitive events, - for snowmobiles owned and operated by the United States government.
- exemptions are also made for snowmobiles covered by a valid registration of a neighboring state or province and operated on a border trail that occasionally and sporadically crosses into New York State, and is specifically designated as a cross-border trail by the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The registration is the proof of ownership and may be used to sell the machine.
The selling dealer does registration at the time of sale. 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.
DMV-provided registration number decals must be displayed on both sides of the cowling of the snowmobile at all times. The cowling is defined as the forward portion of the snowmobile surrounding the engine and clutch assembly. Snowmobile manufacturers provide specific space on snowmobile hoods for this purpose. Refer to your owner's manual for more information. Any display position behind the snowmobile cowling (tunnel or seat area) or on the windshield is illegal and could result in an expensive citation for violation of the registration law.
Snowmobiles first registered prior to August 1995 must display owner-provided registration numbers on both sides of the cowling. They must be of block type, at least three inches tall, and in a contrasting and reflectorized color. A hyphen or space must appear between the last number and the letters.
Yearly registration validation stickers must be displayed in the upper left-hand corner of the DMV-provided registration number decals, or to the left of the owner-provided registration numbers.
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 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.
TO REGISTER A SNOWMOBILE IN NEW YORK STATE YOU NEED:
A completed Snowmobile Registration Application form MV-82SN
A Proof of ownership, described further in this section.
A Proof of payment of sales tax (if required) OR form DTF-802 as described below OR the tax may be paid at the motor vehicle office.
A Proof of your identity and date of birth (a driver's license, for example).
A check for the correct fee payable to the "Commissioner of Motor vehicles".
PROOF OF OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND PAYMENT OF SALES TAX VERIFICATION:
DEALER SALE:
If the snowmobile sale was purchased NEW from a DEALER in New York State or elsewhere, provide the following:
_ A Manufacturer's Certificate of Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO) AND
_ A Bill of Sale showing seller's and buyer's name and
address, date of sale, year, make, model, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) engine displacement or power (cc/hp), purchase price, dealer facility number, and authorized signature. If the Bill of Sale shows that the dealer collected sales tax, it serves as proof of sales tax payment. only an original or carbon copy of the Bill of Sale is acceptable. A photocopy is NOT acceptable.
If the snowmobile was purchased USED from DEALER and was PREVIOUSLY registered in New York or elsewhere, provide:
_ The registration/transfer stub signed by the owner, or similar proof of ownership issued by another jurisdiction, and
_ A Bill of Sale as previously described.
If the snowmobile was purchased USED from a DEALER and was NEVER
REGISTERED anywhere, provide:
_ the MCO/MSO signed over to the dealer, and - A bill of Sale as previously described.
PRIVATE OWNER SALE
If the snowmobile was purchased USED from, a PRIVATE OWNER and WAS PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED in New York or elsewhere, provide:
_ The registration/transfer stub signed by the owner, or a similar proof of ownership from the jurisdiction or origin, and
A form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction-Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, All Terrain Vehicle, Vessel, or Snowmobile)
signed by the buyer. If the snowmobile is 7 years old or newer, the seller MUST sign the back of DTF802. If it is older
than 7 years, DTF-802 or a Bill of Sale must include the buyer's name and address, date of sale, year, make, model,
model number, color, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine displacement or power (cc/hp), and purchase
price. You will pay the sales tax at the Motor Vehicle office.
If the snowmobile was purchased from a PRIVATE OWNER and was NEVER REGISTERED anywhere, provide:
- The MCO/MSO signed over to the new owner, and
- The original owner's Bill of Sale and sales tax receipts from all subsequent transfers between individuals, and
- A form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction-Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, All Terrain vehicle, Vessel, or Snowmobile) signed by the buyer. If the snowmobile is 7 years old or newer, the seller MUST sign the back of DTF802. If it is older than 7 years, DTF-802 or a Bill of Sale must include the buyer's name and address, date of sale, year, make, model, model number, color, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine displacement or power (cc/hp), and purchase price.
You will pay the sales tax at the Motor Vehicle office.
To transfer a registration from another state, to transfer due to death of the owner, or if the previous proofs of ownership are not available, contact the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles Office.
Youth Snowmobile Safety Course County CoordinatorsAlbany County
Michael G. Vincent
1086 Heldeberg Trail
Berne, NY 12023
H (518) 872-0389
W (518) 827-6111
|
Allegany County
Lynn A. O'Brien
Cooperative Extension
5435A County Road 48
Belmont, NY 14813
W (716) 268-7644
|
Cattaraugus County
Lynn E. Telaak
Cooperative Extension
28 Parkside Drive
Ellicottville, NY 14731
W (716) 699-2377
|
Cayuga County
Andrew R. Wargo
RD#1, Cooper Road
Weedsport, NY 13166
H (315)253-6757
|
Chautauqua County
Marty Bova
Chautauqua Sheriff's Dept.
East Chautauqua Ave.
Mayville, NY 14757
W (716) 753-2131
|
Chemung County
Deeta Antes
Cooperative Extension
425 Pennsylvania Ave.
Elmira, NY 14904
W (607) 734-4453
|
Chenango County
John Mann
(607) 334-2834
|
Clinton County
Robert T. Robare
151 Banker Road
Platttsburg, NY 12901
H (518) 563-0030
W (518) 563-8133
ext. 545
|
Cortland County
Thomas A. Dumas
Cooperative Extension
60 Central Avenue
Cortland, NY 13045
H (607) 753-7751
W (607) 753-5077
|
Delaware County
James H. Rice
Cooperative Extension
Rt. 10, Box 184
Hamden, NY 13782
W (607) 865-6531
|
Dutchess County
Donald G. Woodin
135 Hillside Lake Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
H (914) 226-5170
|
Erie County
Victor Doino
1929 Southcreek Rd
Derby, NY 14047
H(716)627-3241
|
Essex County
Daniel W. Connell
Cooperative Extension
67 Sisco Street
Westport, NY 12993
W (518) 962-4810
|
Franklin County
Ronald Howe
Cooperative Extension
63 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
H (518) 483-7986
W (518) 483-7403
|
Fulton County
Bonnie S. Peck
Cooperative Extension
Argersiner Community Center
73 N. Main
Gloversville, NY 12078
W (518) 725-6441
|
Genesee County
6679 Hessenthaler Rd
Byron, NY 14422
H (716) 548-7197
W (716) 548-2665 (William)
W (716) 548-7123 (Jeanne)
|
Greene County
Bernard Armata
Cooperative Extension
HCR 3, Box 906
Cairo, NY 12413
W (518) 622-9820
|
Hamilton County
Douglas P. Wells
Cooperative Extension P.O Box 207 (County White House)
Indian Lake, NY 12842
H (518) 648-5676
W(518) 648-5143
|
Herkimer County
Rich McCaffery
Cooperative Extension
5657 State Route 5
Herkimer, NY 13350
W (315) 866-7920
|
Jefferson County
Ralph E. Mitchell
Cooperative Extension
Empsall Plaza, 233 J.B. Wise Place
Watertown, NY 13601
W (315) 788-8450
|
Lewis County
Mlchacl K. Lcvikor
5380 Rural Avenue
Lowvillc, NY 13367
W (315) 376-5211
|
Livingston County
Stephen J. Billings
Cooperative Extension
158 South Main Street
Mount Morris, NY 14510
W (716) 658-3250
|
Madison County
Paul J. Fitzpatrick
Cooperative Extension
Eaten St, P,O Box 1209
Morrisville, NY 13408
W (315) 684-3001
|
Monroe County
Sgt. Steven Scott
130 Plymouth Avenue S
Rochcstcr, NY 14614
W (716) 428-5426
|
Nassau County
Rick J, Sinacore
199 Boston Avenue
Massapequa, NY 11758
H (516) 795-0906
W (516) 293-0090
|
Niagara County
Jerry L. Bream
Cooperative Extension
4487 Lake Avenue
Lockport, NY 14094
W (716) 433-8839
|
Oneida County
Carleton Corey
Cooperative Extension
121 2nd Street
O1riskany, NY 13424
W (315) 736-3394
|
Onondaga County
Harris I. Sloper
2615 O'Conncll Road
LaFayctte, NY 13084
H (315) 677-3897
|
Ontario County
Bruce D. Fratangelo
4275 #9 Road
Stanley, NY 14561
H (716) 526-6624
W (716) 239-9807
|
Orange County
H. Thomas Davis
Cooperative Extension
Dillon Drive-Com. Campus
Middletown, NY 10940
W (914) 344-1234
|
Orleans County
David Brooks
4564 Upper Holley Rd
Holley, NY 14470
H (716) 638-8189
W (716) 722-5585
|
Oswego County
Sharon N. Whipple
Oswego Sheriffs Dept.
RD#4, Box 5
Oswego, NY 13126
W (800) 962-4433
|
Otsego County
Rich McCaffery
Cooperative Extension
123 Lake Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
W (607) 547-2536
|
Rensselaer County
Michael Vincent
1086 Helderberg, Trail
Berne, NY 14527
H (518) 872-0389
W (518) 827-6111
|
St. Lawrence County
S. Davis
Cooperative Extension
University Shopping Center
125 East Main Street
Canton, NY 13617
W (315) 379-9192
|
Saratoga County
John Douglass
Saratoga State Park Region
Saratoga Springs, NY 12886
W (518) 584-2004
|
Schenectady County
Karen A. Oakley
2739 Plunkett Avenue
Scheneclady, NY 12306
H (518) 372-0151
W (518) 355-0433
|
Schoharie County
Michael G. Vincent
1086 Heldeberg Trail
Berne, NY 12023
H (518) 872-()389
W (518) 827-6111
|
Seneca County
Allen Woodward, Jr.
PO Box 748
Waterloo, NY 13165
W (315) 539-9251
|
Suffolk County
Arne Jensen
106 Nichols Rd, Box 35
Nesconset, NY 11767
W (516) 595-3434
|
Sullivan County
Beverly Walson
Cooperative Extension
69 Ferndale-Loomis
Liberty, NY 12754
W (914) 292-6180
|
Tioga County
Collen Dewey-Wright
Cooperative Extension
56 Main Street
Owego, NY 13827
W (607) 687-41)20
|
Tompkins County
Lawrence Carpenter
Box 425
Dryrden, NY 13053
H (607) 844-8086
|
Ulster County
Richard Hermance
PO Box 281
Bloomingdale Road
Tillson, NY 12486
W (914) 658-9042
|
Washington County
David Shippee
Cooperative Extension
County Office Building
Low Main Street,Annex I
Hudson Falls, NY 12839
W (518) 747-2861
|
Warren County
Andrew C. Sprague
Cooperative Extension
HCR-02, Box 23B, Schroon River Road
Warrensburg, NY 12885
W (518) 623-3291
|
Westchester County
Eleanor Hibbon
Cooperative Extension
26 Legion Drive
Valhalla, NY 10595
W (914) 285-4620
|
Wyoming County
Larry W. Rogers
Cooperative Extension
401 North Main Street
Warsaw, NY 14569
W (716) 786-2251
|
For a safety course within an area not listed, please send the Name, Address and Phone Number of the Student to:
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
M & RV Bureau
Agency Building 1
13th Floor Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12238