You must register your snowmobile if you operate the snowmobile in New York State. A registration is not required if the snowmobile is operated on the private property of the owner or private property the owner has a contractual right to use. A snowmobile that is registered in another state and owned by a resident of that state, but is operated in NYS, must get a NYS registration. New York State also requires a registration on trailers.

Snowmobile registration numbers are permanently assigned to the snowmobile when it is first registered. If you have a snowmobile that was first registered before August 1995, you must supply the numbers that attach to your snowmobile. You must display those numbers on each side of the snowmobile hood. The numbers must be:

• made from a reflective material,
• block style and 3 inches high or taller,
• a color different from the hood and easy to see.
• Be sure to include a hyphen or a space between the last number and the capital letters.

New snowmobile registrations receive a Registration Decal set. Attach the decals to each side of the hood. Validation stickers are issued annually. Put the stickers on the upper left-hand corner of the decal. Put the annual validation stickers to the left of the numbers on snowmobiles registered before 1995.

Beginning on April 30, 2006, the registration fee is $45 if you certify on form MV-82SN that you are a member of a NYS Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) club and show proof of membership. If you are not a member, the fee is $100. Visit the NYSSA web site for more information about NYSSA clubs.

To register your snowmobile, bring the following items to a DMV office:

A completed form MV-82SN (Snowmobile Registration Application).

New York State residents also need a completed form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction [Sales Tax Form]) or provide proof of exception or tax paid (see the DMV Forms page for additional tax information and forms). Registration forms are in .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download the forms. If you donot have Adobe Acrobat, click here for free download.

Proof of ownership and bill of sale. Non-residents can use photocopies of proof of ownership and are not required to pay the NYS sales tax if the snowmobile is registered in another state.

Proof of identity.

Cash, check or credit card for the fee. Pay the registration fee of $45.

You cannot renew a snowmobile registration on-line. Use your renewal notice to renew by mail. If you do not have a renewal notice, apply for the renewal with form MV-82SN or visit your local DMV office.

For snowmobile registration that expire after April 30, 2006, the renewal fee is $45 if you certify on form MV-3SN or MV-82SN that you are a member of a NYS Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) club and show proof of membership. If you are not a member, the fee is $100. Visit the NYSSA web site for more information about NYSSA clubs.

Yes. Since April 1, 1998, NYS requires each operator and passenger on a snowmobile to wear protective headgear approved by the Commissioner of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. You are not required to wear a helmet if:

The snowmobile is operated on property where the operator or passenger is the property owner.

The snowmobile is operated on private property which the operator or passenger has a contractual right to use. This exemption does not apply if the owner or passenger is a member of a club or association and the owner does not receive compensation for snowmobile operation.

Yes. A court can suspend the privilege of a person to operate a snowmobile if the person is convicted of snowmobiling under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The court can also suspend the snowmobile registration. The law also provides for strict penalties and enforcement for these offenses. A person who refuses to take a chemical test (breath test) immediately receives a suspension of the privilege to operate a snowmobile, pending a DMV hearing.

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation web site contains information about snowmobile insurance, safety training and other information.