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| Residents | Nonresidents | Antique ATV |
|---|---|---|
| $70* Prior to registration, sales or use taxes are due. | Season: $115* 7-Day: $100* | $45 Residents & Nonresidents |
The season registration for an ATV is valid for one year, commencing on July 1st of each year.
* Plus agent fee
** Note: The requirements listed above donot apply to the operation of an ATV on:
Resident means a citizen of the United States or a person who is not a citizen of the United States who has been domiciled in the State for one year who:
Nonresident means a person who does not fall within the definition of a resident.
During Free ATV weekend a nonresident may operate in Maine on an ATV that is not registered in Maine if the nonresident's ATV has a valid registration from another state or Canadian province.
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§13001 – Definitions.
As used in this subpart, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
Accompanied by adult."Accompanied by an adult" means, with respect to operation of an ATV, within visual and voice contact and under the effective control of a child's parent or guardian or another person 21 years of age or older.
All-terrain vehicle or ATV. "All-terrain vehicle" or "ATV" means a motor- driven, off-road, recreational vehicle capable of cross-country travel on land, snow, ice, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain. "All-terrain vehicle" or "ATV" includes, but is not limited to, a multitrack, multiwheel or low-pressure tire vehicle; a motorcycle or related 2-wheel, 3-wheel or belt-driven vehicle; an amphibious machine; or other means of transportation deriving motive power from a source other than muscle or wind. For purposes of this subpart, "all-terrain vehicle" or "ATV" does not include an automobile as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 7; an electric personal assistive mobility device as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 22-A; a truck as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 88; a snowmobile; an airmobile; a construction or logging vehicle used in performance of its common functions; a farm vehicle used for farming purposes; or a vehicle used exclusively for emergency, military, law enforcement or fire control purposes.
Alpine tundra. "Alpine tundra" means high elevation, treeless areas beyond the timberline that are dominated by low herbaceous or shrubby vegetation and, specifically, areas that are designated as alpine tundra by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry by rule pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2.
New definition: Antique all-terrain vehicle or antique ATV. "Antique all-terrain vehicle" or "antique ATV" means an all-terrain vehicle more than 25 years old that is substantially maintained in its original or restored condition. Enforcement Fund established under section 10258.
Dwelling. "Dwelling" means any building used as a permanent residence or place of domicile.
Freshwater marshes and bogs. "Freshwater marshes and bogs" means naturally occurring open areas with saturated soils or peat, often associated with standing water and dominated by low herbaceous vegetation, grasses, weeds and shrubs and including wetlands, as shown on the Freshwater Wetlands Map Series, Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, Maine Geological Survey, or zoned as a Wetland Protection Subdistrict, P-WL, by the Maine Land Use Planning Commission.
Operate. "To operate," in all its moods and tenses, when it refers to an ATV, means to use an ATV in any manner within the jurisdiction of the State, whether or not the vehicle is moving.
Operator. "Operator" means the person who is in control or in charge of an ATV while it is in use.
Updated definition in 2021: Owner. "Owner" means: For the purposes of registration of an ATV, a person holding title to an ATV or having equitable interest in an ATV that entitles the person to possession of the ATV.
Private Way As defined by Title 23, section 1903-10-A,. "Private Way" means a private road, driveway, or public easement. "Public easement" means an easement held by a municipality for purposes of public access to land or water not otherwise connected to a public way, and includes all rights enjoyed by the public with respect to private ways dedicated to the public.
Protective headgear. "Protective headgear" means a helmet that conforms with minimum standards of construction and performance as prescribed by the American National Standards Institute specification Z90.
1 or by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218.
Public Way, As defined by Title 23, section 1903-11. "Public Way" means any road capable of carrying motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, any state highway, municipal road, county road, unincorporated territory road, or other road dedicated to the public.
§13002 – Collection by Commissioner.
The commissioner or agents of the commissioner shall act on behalf of the State Tax Assessor to collect the use tax due under Title 36, chapters 211 to 225 in respect to any ATV for which an original registration is required under this Title at the time and place of registration of that ATV.
All taxes collected pursuant to this section must be transmitted forthwith to the Treasurer of State and credited to the General Fund as undedicated revenue. The Legislature shall appropriate to the department in each fiscal year an amount equal to the administrative costs incurred by the department in collecting revenue under this section.
Those administrative costs must be verified by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.
For purposes of this section, "original registration" means any registration other than a renewal of registration by the same owner.
§13003 – Payment of sales or use tax prerequisite to registration.
2. Registration of ATV. Prior to registering an ATV, an agent of the commissioner shall collect sales or use tax due. Sales or use tax is due unless:
A. The person registering the ATV is not a resident of this State;
B. The registration is a renewal registration by the same owner;
C. The applicant possesses a dealer's certificate showing that the sales tax was collected by the dealer. The State Tax Assessor shall prescribe the form of a dealer's certificate. D. The ATV is otherwise exempt from sales or use tax under Title 36, section 1760.
§13004 – Collection by State Tax Assessor.
This section and sections 13002, 13003 and 13005 must be construed as cumulative of other methods prescribed in Title 36 for the collection of the sales or use tax. These sections do not preclude the State Tax Assessor's collecting the tax due in respect to any watercraft, ATV or snowmobile in accordance with such other methods as are prescribed in Title 36 for the collection of the sales or use tax.
§13005 – Certificates to be forwarded to State Tax Assessor. An agent of the commissioner shall promptly forward all certificates submitted in accordance with section 13003 to the commissioner. The commissioner shall transmit all such certificates to the State Tax Assessor.
§13006 – Impoundment of ATVs. When a law enforcement officer issues a summons for a violation under chapter 939, the officer may impound the ATV operated by the person who receives the summons if, in the judgment of the officer, based on actual previous offenses by the operator or other considerations, the operator will continue to operate the ATV in violation of chapter 939 and that operation may be a hazard to the safety of persons or property.
The operator or owner of an ATV impounded under this section may reclaim the ATV at any time subsequent to 24 hours after the issuance of the summons upon payment of the costs of impoundment to the enforcement agency impounding the ATV.
§13107 – Unlawfully operating vehicle on snowmobile trail. A person may not operate any 4-wheel drive vehicle, dune buggy, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle, other than a snowmobile and appurtenant equipment, on snowmobile trails that are financed in whole or in part with funds from the Snowmobile Trail Fund, unless that use has been authorized by the landowner or the landowner's agent, or unless the use is necessitated by an emergency involving safety or persons or property.
Exception: An ATV with tracks, registered as a snowmobile, may be operated on snowmobile trails.
§13152 – License and training.
1. License.
An operator's license is not required for the operation of an ATV, except as required by Title 29-A.
2. Training. A person 10 years of age or older but under 16 years of age must successfully complete a training program, with that person's parent or guardian approved by the department prior to operating an ATV except on:
A. Land on which that person is domiciled;
B. Land owned or leased by that person's parent or guardian; or
C. A safety training site approved by the department.
A person under 16 years of age must attend the training program with that person's parent or guardian. The training program must include instruction on the safe operation of ATVs, the laws pertaining to ATVs, the effect of ATVs on the environment and ways to minimize that effect, courtesy to landowners and other recreationists and landowners and other materials as determined by the department.
§13153 – Rule violations; ATVs.
The following penalties apply to violations of rules regulating ATVs.
1. Civil. Notwithstanding section 10650, a person who violates a rule regulating ATVs commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
2. Criminal. A person who violates a rule regulating ATVs after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
§13154-A – Age restrictions.
1. Minimum age. Except as provided in subsection 5, a person under 10 years of age may not operate an ATV.
2. Permitting child less than 10 years to operate ATV. Except as provided in subsection 6, a person may not permit a child under 10 years of age to operate an ATV.
3. Unlawfully operating ATV by person ages 10 to 16 years of age. Except as provided in subsection 6, a person 10 years of age or older but under 16 years of age may not operate an ATV unless that person has successfully completed a training course approved by the department pursuant to section 13152 and is accompanied by an adult.
Proof of having completed a training course must be presented for inspection upon request of a law enforcement officer.
4. Person under 16 years of age crossing public way. A person under 16 years of age may not cross a public way maintained for travel unless the crossing is in accordance with section 13157-A, subsection 6, paragraph A and the person satisfies the requirements of subsection 3.
5. Permitting an unaccompanied person under 16 years of age to operate an ATV. Except as provided in subsection 6, a person may not permit an unaccompanied person 10 years of age or older but under 16 years of age to operate an ATV.
6. Exceptions for certain property. This section does not apply to the operation of an ATV on:
A. The land on which the operator is domiciled;
B. Land owned or leased by the operator's parent or guardian; or
C. A safety training site approved by the department.
§13155 – Registration.
1-A. Operating unregistered ATV. Except as provided in paragraph A and subsection 5-B, a person may not operate an ATV that is not registered in accordance with subsection 3.
A. The following exceptions apply.
(1) Registration is not required for an ATV operated on land that the ATV operator owns or leases, regardless of where that ATV operator is domiciled, as long as the ATV is not operated elsewhere within the jurisdiction of the State.
(2) Registration is not required for an ATV operated by a commercial ski area for the purpose of packing snow or for rescue operations on the commercial ski area, unless the ATV is required to cross a public way during that operation.
(3) An ATV owned and operated in the State by the Federal Government, the State or a political subdivision of the State is exempt from registration fees but must be registered and is required to display registration numbers.
(4) An ATV registration for the farm use specified in Title 29-A, section 501, subsection 8, paragraph E is not required for a vehicle registered with the Secretary of State under Title 29-A, section 501, subsection 8.
(5) An ATV registered in another state or in a Canadian province may be operated without being registered pursuant to this section at a special event organized to occur in this State if the special event organizer submits a request in writing to the commissioner 60 days prior to the special event and provides the commissioner with a map of the trails to be used during the special event and the commissioner approves the request.
(6) An ATV owned or under the control of an ATV manufacturer may be operated without a Maine registration at a demonstration event organized to occur in this State if such operation is approved by the commissioner. An ATV manufacturer or a representative of an ATV manufacturer must submit a request in writing to the commissioner at least 60 days prior to the demonstration event and shall include a description and the location of the event.
(7) The Commissioner may annually establish one 3-consective-day period, 2 days of which are weekend days, during which a non-resident may operate an ATV that is not registered in Maine, if the non-resident's ATV has a valid registration from another state or a Canadian province.
2. Reciprocity. Reciprocity was repealed in 2004 so there are no longer reciprocal privileges for ATV registrations. A Maine ATV registration is required for nonresidents to operate an ATV in the State of Maine.
3. Updated law in 2021: Application and issuance. The commissioner, or an agent designated by the commissioner, may register and assign a registration number to an ATV upon application and payment of a fee by the owner. Th commissioner shall charge a fee of $1 in addition to the fee for each registration issued by an employee of the department. The registration number in the form of stickers issued by the commis sioner must be clearly displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. An annual registration is valid for one year commencing July 1st of each year, except that any registration issued prior to July 1st but after May 1st is valid from the date of issuance until June 30th of the following year. A registration agent shall provide to the person who requests to register an oversized ATV under subsection 5-B a written form developed and provided by the department explaining the size and weight restrictions for registering that ATV, including whether it qualifies for registration, and explaining the provisions of section 13157-A regarding the operation of oversized ATVs on designated state-approved ATV trails. The department shall develop a form for use by registration agents under this subsection.
4. Form of registration. An ATV registration must be in such form as the commissioner may determine.
5. Fees. See Registration Fees.
5-B. New law in 2021: Oversized ATV; exception. A person may not register an oversized ATV except as provided in this subsection.
A resident who has registered an oversized ATV prior to January 1, 2022 may continue to register that oversized ATV upon payment of the fee specifie in subsection 5, paragraph A, and upon a transfer of ownership of that registered oversized ATV, the new Maine resident owner may also register that oversized ATV upon payment of the fee specified in subsection 5, paragraph A. Registration is not required for an oversized ATV operated by a person on the land of another if written permission is received from the landowner or lessee of the land and the person is engaged solely in a business activity, other than a business activity involving recreational use of the oversized ATV. For purposes of this subsection, "oversized ATV" means an ATV that is wider than 65 inches or weighs more than 2,000 pounds according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
5-C. New law in 2021: Antique ATV. A person who owns an antique ATV may register that ATV under this subsection as an antique ATV.
Notwithstanding subsection 5, the fee for an antique ATV registration is $45. An antique ATV registration is valid until the ownership of the ATV is transferred to another person. Upon the transfer of ownership, the new owner may reregister that ATV as an antique ATV by paying the $45 antique ATV registration fee. Notwithstanding section 10206, all registration fees for antique ATVs must be deposited in the General Fund.
6. Duplicate registration certificate. The holder of a registration certificate issued under this section may obtain a duplicate registration from the commissioner upon application and payment of a duplicate fee of $1. If a sticker has been misplaced, a new sticker and a new registration matching the new sticker number must be obtained at a fee of $1 each. Agent fee also applies to all duplicates.
7. Transfer of ownership, discontinuance of use. A transfer of ownership or discontinuance of use of an all-terrain vehicle is subject to this subsection.
A. Whoever transfers the ownership or discontinues the use of a registered all-terrain vehicle shall, within 10 days, properly sign the registration, indicate the disposition of the all-terrain vehicle and return the registration to the commissioner.
B. An all-terrain vehicle owner who transfers ownership or discontinues its use may, within 10 days from the date of transfer or discontinuance, apply to the commissioner for registration of another all-terrain vehicle. The fee for the transfer is $4, and the registration is valid for the remainder of the registration year for which the previous all-terrain vehicle had been registered.
C. When there is a change of ownership of an all-terrain vehicle for which a registration has previously been issued, the new owner shall apply for a new registration and shall pay the applicable fee under subsection 5.
8-A. Updated law in 2021: Registration inspection. An owner or operator of an ATV shall present a registration certificate or an online registration receipt for inspection by any law enforcement officer on demand.
An owner or operator of an ATV may present a registration certificate or an online registration receipt in electronic form.
8-B. Notification of destroyed, abandoned, stolen, or permanently removed ATV. The registrant shall notify the commissioner if an ATV is destroyed, abandoned, stolen, or permanently removed from the State.
9. Display of registration numbers. Each new ATV sold in the State must have a space 6 inches in width by 3½ inches in height provided on the front and rear of the machine, as high above the tires as possible, for the vertical display of the registration numbers. A person may not operate an ATV that is required to be registered under this section unless registration numbers in the form of stickers are displayed in these spaces or as otherwise required by the department. A person may operate an ATV registered online without displaying a registration number until that person receives the registration certificate from the department or for 30 days after registering the ATV online, whichever occurs first.
10. Training and education. The department shall provide training and education relating to ATVs.
11. Members of the armed forces permanently stationed in the State of Maine. The following persons are eligible to register any ATV owned by them at the resident fee:
A. A person serving in the Armed Forces of the United States who is permanently stationed at a military or naval post, station or base in the State; and
B. The spouse and children of the person described in paragraph A, provided that the spouse and children permanently reside with that person.
A member of the armed forces described in paragraph A who desires to register an ATV shall present certification from the commander of the post, station or base, or from the commander's designated agent, that the member is permanently stationed at that post, station or base. Registration fees for registrations pursuant to this subsection must be allocated as if the person registering the ATV was a resident of the municipality in which the post, station or base is situated.
12. New law in 2021: Review of ATV registration fees and trail maintenance needs. In consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the department shall review ATV registration fees and maintenance needs of designated state-approved ATV trails in 2022 and 2023 and every 2 years thereafter. Th Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall report the findings and recommendations from the review to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters by February 1st each year a review is required. The committee may report out legislation related to ATV registration fees and maintenance needs of ATV trails to the session of the Legislature in which the report is received.
§13157-A – Operation of ATVs.
1-A. Updated law in 2021: Permission required. A person may not operate an ATV on the land of another without the permission of the landowner or lessee.
Permission is presumed on designated state-approved ATV trails or in areas open to ATVs by landowner policy. A landowner or lessee may limit the use of a designated state-approved ATV trail on that landowner’s or lessee’s property through agreements with the State or an ATV club to address environmental, public safety or management concerns, including by limiting the type, size and weight of ATVs permitted on the landowner’s or lessee’s property. A person operating an ATV, including an oversized ATV, on designated state-approved ATV trails shall adhere to limitations imposed by a landowner or lessee and the State on that part of the designated state-approved ATV trail on the landowner’s or lessee’s property in accordance with this subsection. Written permission of the landowner or lessee is required for use of an ATV on cropland or pasture land or in an orchard. As used in this subsection, “cropland” means acreage in tillage rotation, land being cropped and land in bush fruits and “pasture land” means acreage devoted to the production of forage plants used for animal production.
For purposes of this subsection, “oversized ATV” has the same meaning as defined in section 13155, subsection 5-B. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit or expand a landowner’s or lessee’s property rights.
2. Stop and identify requirement. Persons operating ATVs upon the land of another shall stop and identify themselves upon the request of the landowner or the landowner's duly authorized representative.
3. Operating ATV upon controlled access highway. The following provisions govern the operation of ATVs on controlled access highways.
A. A person may not operate an ATV upon a controlled access highway or within the right-of-way limits of a controlled access highway, except that:
(1) A person on a properly registered ATV may cross controlled access highways by use of bridges over or roads under those highways or by use of roads crossing controlled access highways at grade;
(2) The Commissioner of Transportation may issue special permits for designated crossings of controlled access highways.
(3) A person on a properly registered ATV may operate the ATV within the right-of-way limits of a controlled access highway on a trail segment approved by the Commissioner of Transportation or the board of directors of the Maine Turnpike Authority, as applicable. At the request of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Commissioner of Transportation or the board of directors of the Maine Turnpike Authority, as applicable, may permit construction of an ATV trail within the right-of-way of a controlled access highway under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation or the Maine Turnpike Authority being constructed on or after January 2, 2016 when there is an ability to provide for the continuity of a state-owned or state controlled network of ATV trails. Funds for the construction of an ATV trail under this paragraph may not be provided from the Highway Fund.
4. Unlawfully operating ATV on snowmobile trail. A person may not operate any 4-wheel-drive vehicle, dune buggy, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle or any other motor vehicle, other than a snowmobile and appurtenant equipment, on snowmobile trails that are financed in whole or in part with funds from the Snowmobile Trail Fund, unless that use has been authorized by the landowner or the landowner's agent, or unless the use is necessitated by an emergency involving safety of persons or property.
Exception: ATV's with tracks, registered as snowmobiles can be operated on a snowmobile trail.
5. Repealed.
5-A. Operating a motor vehicle on an ATV trail. A person may not operate a truck, pickup truck, or passenger vehicle on a designated ATV trail that is not on a gravel road system unless authorized by the landowner or landowner's agent, or in an emergency involving the safety of a person or property. For purposes of this law, "pickup truck" and "truck" have the same meaning as in Title 29-A section 101, subsections 55 and 88 and "passenger vehicle" means a self-propelled 4-wheel motor vehicle designed primarily to carry passengers on public roads.
6. Operating ATV on public way. Except as provided in this subsection, a person may not operate an ATV, other than an ATV registered with the Secretary of State under Title 29-A, on any portion of a public way maintained or used for the operation of conventional motor vehicles or on the sidewalks of any public way.
A. A properly registered ATV may be operated on a public way only the distance necessary, but in no case to exceed 500 yards, on the extreme right of the traveled way for the purpose of crossing, as directly as possible, a public way, bridge, overpass, underpass, sidewalk or culvert as long as that operation can be made safely and does not interfere with traffic approaching from either direction on the public way.
B. Repealed.
C. An ATV may be operated on any portion of a public way when the public way has been closed in accordance with Title 23, section 2953.
D. An ATV may be operated on a public way that is not maintained or used for the operation of conventional motor vehicles, except that operation on the left side of the way is prohibited prohibited during the hours from sunset to sunrise.
E. An ATV may be operated on streets and public ways during a period of emergency when the emergency has been so declared by a police agency having jurisdiction and when travel by conventional motor vehicles is not practicable.
F. An ATV may be operated on streets and public ways in special events of limited duration conducted according to a prearranged schedule under a permit from the governmental unit having jurisdiction. G. An ATV may be operated on a public way on the extreme right of the traveled way by a law enforcement officer for the sole purpose of traveling between the place where the ATV is usually stored and an area to be patrolled by the law enforcement officer.
G. An ATV may be operated on a public way on the extreme right of the traveled way by a law enforcement officer for the sole purpose of traveling between the place where the ATV is usually stored and an area to be patrolled by the law enforcement officer.
H. Notwithstanding paragraphs A to G, an ATV may be operated on the extreme right of a public way, or as directed by the appropriate governmental unit within the public way, of a municipality or an unorganized or unincorporated township if the appropriate governmental unit has designated the public way as an ATV-access route.
An ATV must travel in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic on a public way designated as an ATV access route. A public way designated by an appropriate governmental unit as an ATV-access route must be posted conspicuously at regular intervals by that governmental unit with highly visible signs designating the ATV-access route. Before designating a public way as an ATV-access route, the appropriate governmental unit shall make appropriate determinations that ATV travel on the extreme right of the public way, or as directed by the appropriate governmental unit within the public way may be conducted safely and will not interfere with vehicular traffic on the public way. For purposes of this paragraph, "appropriate governmental unit" means the Department of Transportation, county commissioners or municipal officers within their respective jurisdictions. The jurisdiction of each appropriate governmental unit over public ways pursuant to this paragraph is the same as its jurisdiction over the passage of vehicles on public ways pursuant to Title 29-A, section 2395.
Municipal or county law enforcement officials having jurisdiction have primary enforcement authority over any route established under this paragraph.
7. Failing to stop ATV before entering public way. A person shall bring an ATV to a complete stop before entering a public way.
8. Failing to yield right-of-way while operating ATV. A person shall yield the right-of-way to all other types of vehicular traffic while operating an ATV on a public way.
9. Crossing closed bridge, culvert, overpass or underpass with ATV. A person may not cross with an ATV a bridge, culvert, overpass or underpass closed to ATVs by the Commissioner of Transportation pursuant to this subsection. The Commissioner of Transportation may, following a public hearing, prohibit the crossing by an ATV of an individual bridge, culvert, overpass or underpass if the commissioner determines that that crossing or use of a public way is hazardous. Any bridge, culvert, overpass or underpass closed by the commissioner must be posted by appropriate notices.
10. Reckless operating on ATV. A person may not operate an ATV in such a way as to recklessly create a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person.
11. Operating ATV to endanger. A person may not operate an ATV so as to endanger any person or property.
12. Operating ATV at greater than reasonable and prudent speed. A person may not operate an ATV except at a reasonable and prudent speed for the existing conditions.
13. Operating ATV without protective headgear. A person under 18 years of age may not operate an ATV without protective headgear.
14. Carrying passenger on ATV without headgear. A person may not carry a passenger under 18 years of age on an ATV unless the passenger is wearing protective headgear.
15. Repealed.
16. ATV headlight and taillight requirements. This subsection establishes light equipment requirements for the operation of an ATV.
A. Except as provided in this subsection and section 13159, a person may not operate an ATV in the State, regardless of where purchased, unless equipped with front and rear lights as follows.
(1) The ATV must have mounted on the front at least one headlight capable of casting a white beam for a distance of at least 100 feet directly ahead of the ATV.
(2) The ATV must have mounted on the rear at least one taillight capable of displaying a light that must be visible at a distance of at least 100 feet behind the ATV.
B. The following are exceptions to the requirements of paragraph A.
(1) Repealed.
(2) A person may operate an ATV including a 2-wheel off-road motorcycle without a headlight and taillight between sunrise and sunset.
17. Required use of ATV lights. Except as provided in section 13159, the following provisions govern the use of ATV lights.
A. A person shall use the lights required under subsection 16 as follows:
(1) During the period from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise; and
(2) At any time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions caused by fog or otherwise, other persons, vehicles and other objects are not clearly discernible for a distance of 500 feet ahead.
18. Unlawfully operating ATV on railroad tracks. This subsection governs operation of an ATV on railroad tracks.
A. A person may not:
(1) Operate an ATV along or adjacent and parallel to the tracks of a railroad within the limits of the railroad right-of-way without written permission from the railroad owning the right-of- way; or
(2) Operate an ATV across the tracks of a railroad after having been forbidden to do so by the railroad owning the railroad right-of- way or by an agent of that railroad, either personally or by appropriate notices posted conspicuously along the railroad right-of-way.
B. Notwithstanding paragraph A, a person may operate within the right-of-way of a portion of railroad line that has been officially abandoned under the authority of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
19. Operating too close to certain buildings. person may not operate an ATV within 200 feet of a dwelling, hospital, nursing home, convalescent home, or church.
A. This subsection does not apply when a person is operating an ATV on:
(1) Public ways in accordance with subsections 6 and 9 or on controlled access highways in accordance with subsection 3, paragraph A;
(2) The frozen surface of any body of water; or
(3) Land that the operator owns or is permitted to use.
20. Repealed.
21. Repealed.
22. Abuse of another person's property. A person may not while operating an ATV:
A.
Tear down or destroy a fence or wall on another person's land;
B. Leave open a gate or bars on another person's land;
C. Trample or destroy crops on another person's land; or
D. Remove or destroy signs or posted notices.
23. Repealed.
24. Operation of ATV on temporarily closed trail. A person may not operate an ATV on any section of a trail posted with a notice of temporary closure in accordance with this subsection. The notice must specify the section of trail that is closed and the period of the closure and must be conspicuously posted at each end of the closed section of the trail.
25. ATV noise and fire control devices. The following provisions pertain to ATV muffling and fire control devices and noise level limits.
A. Except as provided in section 13159, a person may not:
(1) Operate an ATV that is not equipped at all times with an effective and suitable muffling device on its engine to effectively deaden or muffle the noise of the exhaust;
(2) Operate or modify an ATV with an exhaust system that has been modified in any manner that will increase the noise emitted above the following emission standard:
(a) Each ATV must meet noise emission standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and in no case exceed 96 decibels of sound pressure when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the commissioner; or
(3) Operate an ATV without a working spark arrester.
B. In addition to any penalties imposed under this subsection, the court may, subject to section 9321 and Title 17-A, chapter 54, order restitution for fire suppression costs incurred by state or municipal government entities in suppressing a fire caused by an ATV operating without a working spark arrester.
26. Prohibited equipment. A person may not operate an ATV that is equipped with a snorkel kit or other equipment designed to allow the ATV to be used in deep water except with the permission of the owner of the land on which the ATV is operated or as provided in section 13159.
27. Operation of ATV in prohibited area. The following provisions establish areas where the operation of an ATV is prohibited.
A. A person may not operate an ATV:
(1) On a salt marsh, intertidal zone, marine sand beach, sand dune or any cemetery, burial place or burying ground; or
(2) When the ground is not frozen and sufficiently covered with snow to prevent direct damage to the vegetation:
(a) On alpine tundra;
(b) On a freshwater marsh or bog, river, brook, stream, great pond, nonforested wetland or vernal pool; or
(c) In a source water protection area as defined in Title 30-A, section 2001, subsection 20-A.
The provisions of this subparagraph do not apply to a trail designated for ATV use by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The provisions of this subparagraph also do not apply to a person accessing land for maintenance or inspection purposes with the landowner's permission or to local, state, or federal government personnel in the performance of official duties, provided there is no significant ground disturbance or sedimentation of water bodies.
§13158-A – Unlawfully permitting operation; liability for damage by other persons.
1. ATV owner; operation by another. A person is in violation of this subsection if that person is the owner of an ATV that is operated in violation of this chapter.
2. Parent or guardian; operation by minor. A person is in violation of this subsection if that person is a parent or guardian responsible for the care of a minor under 18 years of age who is operating an ATV in violation of this chapter.
3. Furnishing ATV. An owner of an ATV, a person who gives or furnishes an ATV to a person and a parent or guardian responsible for the care of a minor under 18 years of age are jointly and severally liable with the operator for damages caused in the operation of the vehicle or by the minor in operating any ATV.
§13159 – Racing meets.
Notwithstanding section 13155 and section 13157-A, subsection 16, paragraph A, subsection 17, and subsection 25 ATVs used exclusively for scheduled racing meets and operated solely on predefined race, courses are exempt from the provisions of this chapter concerning registration, mufflers, snorkel kits, and lights during the time of operation at these meets and at all prerace practices at the location of the meets.
§13160 – Dealer's registration and license.
1. Application and issuance. A person may not engage in the business of selling ATVs in the State unless that person has registered as a dealer and secured a valid dealer's license from the commissioner.
A dealer so registered and licensed need not register individual ATVs.
2. Fees. The annual license fee for a dealer registered under subsection 1 is $15. The license runs from July 1st of each year.
A. A dealer licensed under Title 29-A, section 954, subsection 2 is not required to pay the license fee under this subsection.
3. Dealer's number plates. Dealer's number plates must be provided and obtained as follows.
A. A dealer registered under subsection 1 may receive dealer's number plates for a $5 annual fee for each plate
B. Replacements for lost or stolen plates may be obtained for a fee of $5 for each plate.
C. If a number plate is lost or stolen, the owner shall notify the commissioner immediately.
4. Temporary registration certificate. The commissioner may issue temporary registration certificates to a registered dealer who may, upon the sale or exchange of an ATV, issue a temporary registration certificate to a new owner, in order to allow the new owner to operate the ATV for a period of 20 consecutive days, after the date of sale in lieu of a permanent number as required by this chapter.
The fee for each temporary registration is $1.
5. Display of dealer's number plate. A dealer shall display the dealer's number on each ATV being used until the sale of the ATV, whereupon it becomes the owner's responsibility to register the ATV.
6. Warranties and information on used ATVs. A dealer who offers a warranty in connection with the sale or transfer of a used ATV shall furnish a written statement concerning that warranty. The statement regarding the warranty must indicate the parts or systems of the vehicle that are covered and those not covered by the warranty and what the dealer will do in the event of a defect and at whose expense repairs be made. The dealer shall also furnish before sale a written statement identifying any and all defects known to the dealer and any type of damage that the vehicle has sustained if such information is known to the dealer.
§13161 – Sale of ATV; light equipment.
1.
Headlight and taillight required. A person may not sell or offer to sell a new ATV unless:
A. That ATV is equipped with a functioning headlight and taillight; or
B. The ATV:
(1) Is a 2-wheel off-road motorcycle; or
(2) Has an engine size of 90 cubic centimeters or less and has 4 or more wheels.
1-A. New law in 2021: Dealer to provide registration information. A dealer may not sell a new or used oversized ATV without providing to the purchaser a written form developed and provided by the department explaining the size and weight restrictions for registering that ATV under section 13155, subsection 5-B and the provisions of section 13157-A regarding the use of oversized ATVs on designated state-approved ATV trails. Th department shall develop a form for use by dealers under this section, which must include a place for a purchaser to sign acknowledging receipt of the form.
For purposes of this subsection, “oversized ATV” has the same meaning as defined in section 13155, subsection 5-B.
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This is a summary of penalties for ATV. For full language please refer to Title 12.
Operating under the influence.A person may not fail or refuse to stop any ATV on request or signal of any law enforcement officer in uniform whose duty it is to enforce ATV laws. A person who violates this provision commits a Class D crime, for which a minimum fine of not less than $1,000 must be adjudged. If convicted there is a mandatory one year suspension of all licenses, permits and registrations by the department.
A person may not attempt to elude a law enforcement officer by: operating or attempting to operate an all-terrain vehicle past a clearly identifiable police roadblock; or after being requested or signaled to stop by a law enforcement officer in uniform, operating or attempting to operate an all-terrain vehicle at a reckless rate of speed.
A person who violates this provision commits a Class D crime, for which a minimum fine of not less than $1,000 must be adjudged. If convicted there is a mandatory one year suspension of all licenses, permits and registrations by the department.
A person may not operate an ATV in such a way as to recklessly create a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person. A person who violates this provision commits a Class D crime. If convicted there is a mandatory one year suspension of all licenses, permits and registrations by the department.
A person may not operate an ATV so as to endanger any person or property. A person who violates this provision commits a Class E crime. If convicted there is a mandatory one year suspension of all licenses, permits and registrations by the department.
A person may not operate an ATV except at a reasonable and prudent speed for the existing conditions.
A person who violates this provision commits a Class E crime.
A person may not while operating an ATV:
Any conviction or adjudication for a violation of this Part is grounds for suspension of any license or permit issued under this Part. Except where provided by law, the commissioner shall determine the suspension period. To suspend a license or permit based upon a conviction or adjudication, the commissioner shall follow the procedures under section 10903.
The commissioner may suspend all licenses, permits and registrations issued by the department pursuant to this Part to any person convicted or adjudicated of:
If the commissioner suspends a license, permit or registration pursuant to this subsection, the suspension must be for at least 90 days. Before reinstatement of licenses and permits, a person must satisfactorily complete a safety and ethics course, approved by the department and related to the operation of ATVs.
The commissioner shall suspend for at least one year all licenses, permits and registrations issued by the department pursuant to this Part to any person convicted or adjudicated of:
Before reinstatement of licenses and permits, a person must satisfactorily complete a safety and ethics course, approved by the department and related to the operation of ATVs.
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Documents you'll need:
Important information about sales tax and the ST-6E form:
Massachusetts sales tax is 6.25% of the total purchase price. If you pay your sales tax late, you will be subject to interest and penalties. Questions about sales tax should be directed to the Department of Revenue at 1-800-392-6089.| Name | Fee | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Resident ATV or snowmobile registration | $44 | 2 Years |
| Non-resident ATV or snowmobile registration | $33 | 1 Year |
| Vintage Snowmobile | $44 | each (One time fee) |
| Transfer of Registration | $16. 50 | each |
| Duplicate Decals | $5.50 | each |
| Dealer Permit (ATV or snowmobile) | $55 | each (One Year) |
| Dealer Registration | $44 | each (Two Years) |
Bring the documents listed above, as well as a check or money order (made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) or credit card / debit card, to one of our 5 registration offices (locations listed at the top right of this page).
Mail in your required documents to one of our registration offices, along with a check or money order for the appropriate fee made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Articles
26 Feb
If you like a good time, ie outdoor activities, hunting, fishing or traveling, then in many cases it would be nice to have a quad bike or snowmobile.
As you can already understand, these two modes of transport are of the same type, with the exception that a snowmobile needs snow, and an ATV does not care which road or off-road to ride on. And here the question is born, if the ATV does not care what to ride, then why buy a snowmobile? In this article, we will consider why a snowmobile ATV is needed, and in what cases it is much more profitable than a regular ATV.
When this question arises, it is very difficult to find the answer, it is better to decide and buy one thing without hesitation, but a person who is really fond of active pastime has a goal to buy one and the other vehicle. As you could understand from the name of a snowmobile, the main requirement for it will be the presence of snow, and this is due to the seasons of the year and you will not affect the weather in any way. If we talk about power, then snowmobiles win by a significant margin.
But it should also be noted right away that snowmobile ATVs weigh quite a lot due to the devices for driving in the snow. And if you calculate the specific power, then it turns out that the values in horsepower are approximately the same or even slightly less. But if we take into account that when driving on ice or snow, the coefficient of friction is much lower than when driving on the ground with rubber wheels, and the power is approximately the same, we can conclude that the snowmobile ATV will be much faster than its wheeled opponent.
Given the fact that some parts of our vast country spend most of the year under cover of snow, a snowmobile ATV is definitely suitable for the first option. For this beast there are no restrictions when driving in winter, it is completely indifferent to what snow, ice, permafrost is under the skis, you can conquer the endless expanses of fields and forests on it.
Just imagine hunting in winter, how fast you can move or come to the place for fishing and settle down, taking everything you need with you. Also, on a snowmobile ATV, driving skills develop very quickly and after it it is not a problem to transfer to a traditional ATV.
Here, it seems that the wheel ATV is the clear winner in this matter. However, if you correctly estimate how it is, namely from October (sometimes from November) to April (May) there is snow on the street, then you get either equal time intervals, or the snowmobile even has a longer annual service life.
When considering this item, it is worth noting that in summer there are also a lot of unfavorable factors, for example, heat, heat, hordes of insects, rains or showers. The problem of frost or cold is solved very simply by special uniforms that will withstand great cold.
If we talk about safety, then we can say very accurately that if used incorrectly, absolutely everything is dangerous, so you should not classify the snowmobile ATV in a separate very dangerous category.
To get the maximum amount of emotions and adrenaline, you can use one and the second vehicle. But the feeling of freedom when riding a snowmobile can't be beaten by riding an ATV.
At the expense of prices, snowmobile ATVs win here. When assessing the average cost in one and the other aspect of technology, it turns out that the cheapest quad is more expensive than the average snowmobile quad.
An ATV, unlike a snowmobile, is an all-weather vehicle. But in order for the all-terrain vehicle to faithfully plow the virgin snow all winter, it must be prepared for operation in the cold season. Otherwise, by the end of winter, or even earlier, the quadric can easily “die”. The AvtoVzglyad portal tells about the nuances of the winter use of "quadrics".
Maxim Stroker
Most often, ATV owners face the problem of difficult starting in cold weather.
Perhaps the problem may be in poor contact between the power wires and the battery terminals. If there is oxidation in the connection, then the battery itself does not charge well and at the time of starting in the cold it simply does not have enough voltage to confidently turn the crankshaft with the starter.
The problem is solved simply: disconnect the wires from the battery, remove oxides with sandpaper, and so that they do not form in the future, we process the battery terminals with a special Liqui Moly Kontaktreinig contact cleaner. This combined action aerosol formulation removes metal oxides and grease in a single process. The special chemical formula almost instantly loosens and eliminates oxide salts, restores electrical conductivity, and also blocks leakage currents.
But much more often, engine oil becomes the cause of difficult start-up in cold weather. Most ATVs run on 10W-40 or 10W-50 lube during the summer. In general, such oil is considered to be quite all-weather, but if your “quad” is not in a heated garage, but on the street, then in severe frosts, difficulties arise with starting the engine, since the thickened oil provides excessive resistance.
But even if the engine starts, the first seconds after starting it can run dry, as it will be very difficult for the oil pump to create the necessary pressure due to the thickened lubricant and supply it to the rubbing surfaces. This is especially dangerous for motors assembled on so-called plain bearings, because due to oil starvation, main or connecting rod bearings can turn.
In order not to encounter such a problem, before the onset of severe cold, you should fill the ATV engine with oil with a viscosity of 5W-50. The Liqui Moly product line has a quality lubricant with the right characteristics, one hundred percent suitable for ATV operation in winter. Liqui Moly ATV 4T Motoroil 5W-50 HC-synthetic motor oil provides maximum performance and engine protection under all operating conditions.
Anti-wear additive package and base stock provide maximum ATV engine protection and trouble-free operation over a wide range of temperatures and loads. The oil guarantees easy start-up at low temperatures and high viscosity-temperature stability.
It is by no means a superfluous procedure before winter to change the oil in the all-terrain vehicle gearboxes. Despite the fact that there is no winter transmission for ATVs as such, it is still necessary to change the oil before frosts, because water from autumn puddles could well get into these nodes, through a breather or seals, which, mixed with oil, turns into an emulsion . And if you take into account that the gearboxes of modern ATVs have an electrician (someone has an electromagnetic clutch, someone has a servo drive), then there will be continuous problems from such a “slurry” in winter.
If there is any chance that the gearboxes of your "rogue" have taken a sip of water, then in addition to filling in new oil, they still need to be washed. Drain the waste from the gearboxes, tighten the bottom plug, and pour the quick cleaner Liqui Moly Schnell-Reiniger through the filler.
This agent is absolutely safe for electrics and rubber seals of the gearbox, but at the same time it will effectively clean the inside of the unit from the remnants of the emulsion.
For best results, jack up the quad axle you are flushing and turn the wheels forward/back by hand to flush the remaining emulsion from the sidewalls as well. After that, unscrew the drain plug, get rid of the dirty contents and, screwing the plug back, pour in fresh gear oil.
ATVs most often use a transmission with a viscosity of 75W90. It is suitable for most ATVs and is poured into both front and rear gearboxes. The German brand Liqui Moly has in its assortment a synthetic gear oil for motorbike Gear Oil 75W-90. It is in a sense universal, all-weather, and equally suitable for transmissions and motorcycles, and scooters, and ATVs, and snowmobiles.
This oil contains polyalphaolefins and special additives, due to which the lubricant does not change its properties either at sub-zero or positive temperatures. Its thermo-oxidative stability and resistance to aging allow for extended drain intervals that are significantly higher than other similar oils of similar viscosity.
