Do You Need To Title And/or Register A Snowmobile?

Snowmobiles are a hot topic these days. We’ve offered proof of registration for them, but the demand for information has never been higher. Maybe it’s the brutal cold snaps we’ve been witnessing nationwide. Or maybe sledders were too busy carving up pow to worry about these details. 

That’s ok, guys; we’ll take it from here. 

Unless your sled stays explicitly on your private property, you are most likely going to need proof of ownership for it. See, snowmobiles are a unique entity. If you have ATVs, SxSs, dirt bikes, etc., you are used to hauling them to designated areas by trailer. But sleds play when you can’t always get to designated areas by truck, so they operate on public trail systems. 

Let’s hash this out and see what you need and when you need it.

Snowmobiles Aren’t Even Street Legal. I Don’t Need a Title, Do I?

It really depends. Street legality is usually the litmus test for whether something needs to have proof of ownership, but it’s not always accurate. You usually need registration for your OHVs when operating on any sort of public trail system, which most snowmobile trails are. 

And you have to be on your toes about where you plan to ride your OHVs because the rules vary from state to state, and even depending on whether you are riding on state or federal land. So many rules. 

But that is a different series for a different time. First, you should also know that we can help you get your OHVs tagged and make them street-legal, which takes out a lot of the guesswork. 

It is a misnomer to believe that just because your vehicle doesn’t drive on roads does not mean you don’t need proof of ownership. Doesn’t, does not, don’t. Clear as mud.

Since sleds are more of a regional thing, and because of how they are allowed to operate in public, the rules regarding their operation are more nuanced than cars and trucks, which are more or less the same wherever you go. 

But again, it also is in how sleds are run. Sure, you can run your sled on your home turf, and nobody will ever care about its registration status. But unless you own a hundred acres, you will run out of trail fast on a sled. 

Thankfully, there are over 230,000 miles of publicly maintained trails crisscrossing the U.S., which is wild when you realize that none of those are south of Missouri’s latitude. In fact, there are around 10,000 miles of snowmobile trails in New York State alone! Unreal. 

Since these trails are public, there are specific registration and/or ownership requirements to operate. For instance, in New York the sled must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), even if you have already registered it in another state. That is why we always suggest you check the local ordinances and state laws of wherever you want to operate.

How Many States Require a Snowmobile Title?

If your state has public trail systems, it is safe to assume snowmobiles will need to be registered – even if you only plan on using private land, like land you own. Also, check and see what actions are prohibited, such as riding on shoulders or crossing roads while using trails.

It’s tough to say because rules are always changing and in flux, but it all hinges on what your local lawmakers have put into action.

For instance, in New York, you must wear a helmet (which really, why wouldn’t you anyway), and you cannot be under the influence. Beyond that, registration is the only real requirement. 

So, check your home state if you plan to run a sled there. And then check any other states that you might ride in, too. Back to NY, even visitors from out of state have to get a temporary registration. And, of course, to do this, you must have proof of ownership. 

Remember, the local law will have no sympathy for you if you don’t learn the rules before you start sledding and shredding.

What Is the Title Transfer Process for a Sled?

The title transfer process depends on your current proof of ownership or if you have any proof of ownership at all.

Dirt Legal is here to help you out if you need proof of ownership. When you select our off-road titling service, you can choose that you need to obtain proof of ownership for a snowmobile, and we make it happen. If you already have proof of ownership, reach out to us, and we can do registration for even cheaper. 

Are a Title and Registration the Same Thing?

We’ve discussed this a lot in the past, but it is always good for a refresher. 

Titles are an instrument to prove ownership.

When it comes to regular cars and trucks, registration proves that the vehicle is legal and that you paid up on your taxes to operate either in public places (off-road) or on public roads. For cars in states that require smog checks, it also proves that those are up to date because the smog checks must be current to renew registration.

But here’s the catch: you ‌need proof of ownership, such as a title or transferable registration, to register for on-road or off-road use, such as public trails and state-owned land. In many states, you need a valid title or registration, even if you never use a vehicle anywhere except on private land.

Sleds are similar. Since most snowmobile trail systems are public, they are more or less regulated like public roads, albeit with laxer rules. The public trail systems still require registration in most (if not all) participating states, so your sled must have a title or valid proof of ownership before you can request registration.

The point of all this is that your state or local area might require you to have a registration for your snowmobile regardless of where you use it, even if that's only in your own yard in the dead of winter. But what if you can't register your sled because you don't have any proof of ownership? That's where we come in.

The Dirt Legal Advantage

Shred that fresh pow

Getting your sleds registered is about the least fun thing we can think of…except for getting a ticket for an unregistered sled. It’s kinda hard to call for a tow truck to haul your sled when you’re ten miles off the pavement. Don’t put yourself in this position.

Instead, check out our off-road vehicle title and proof of ownership program. No more waiting in line. No more wondering if you brought all the right paperwork. And most of all, no inspections. 

Instead, just fill out the necessary paperwork, send it back, and wait for your proof of ownership to come in the mail. It’s as simple as that. 

If you have any questions, make sure to give us a call, and we can talk about your specific situation to see what is the best option for you. 

Also, if you have any other OHV toys that you'd like to run on public roads, check out our street-legal services for OHVs!