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ATVs |
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
To promote the safe operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and respect for the rights of property owners, New York State requires ATVs to be registered and ATV operators and riders to obey special laws.
WHAT IS AN ATV? An all-terrain vehicle is any self-propelled vehicle with two or more wheels that is manufactured for sale to be used primarily off-highway or in off-road competitions, and that is no wider than 70 inches and weighs no more than 1,000 pounds. This does not include vehicles manufactured for off-highway use and designed exclusively for travel on snow or ice, and supported by one or more skis, belts or cleats that utilize and endless belt tread. Those vehicles, which include snowmobiles, are subject to other laws and regulations.
ATV REGISTRATION An ATV must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if it is operated anywhere in New York State, including on the owner's property. The exception is that ATVs used only for agricultural purposes, or for snow plowing (except for-hire plowing), are exempt from the registration requirement.
To register an ATV at a motor vehicle issuing office, complete a Vehicle Registration Application (MV-82). You must also provide proofs of ownership, sales tax payment or exemption, your identity and your date of birth. You must also pay a registration fee.
FEES
The ATV registration fee is $10 per year or any portion of a year. The registration expires on April 30, and the fee is not prorated. You also must pay a $4.25 license plate fee when you first register your ATV. You will be issued a plate, a registration sticker and a receipt. The plate must be attached to the rear of the ATV, and the sticker should be placed at the top center of the plate, You should carry the registration receipt when operating your ATV.
NOTE: If you register an ATV in March or April, you will pay a $20 fee, plus the $4.25 plate fee. Your registration will expire on April 30 of the following year.
PROOF OF OWNERSHIP When you apply for an ATV registration, you must prove you own the vehicle.
Acceptable documents that prove ownership are:
- A manufacturer's certificate or statement of origin for a new ATV, an out-of-state title certificate or registration certificate; or,
- A New York State transferable registration signed over by the previous owner to you, or to the ATV dealer you purchased it from.
TIP: Make sure you’ve examined the ownership documents before you buy an ATV. If you buy your ATV from a registered dealer, you should receive a bill of sale in addition to one of the documents listed above that prove ownership. The bill of sale must contain the dealer's name, address and dealer registration number, your name and address, the ATV vehicle identification number, the year, make, model, and number of wheels. It also must indicate whether the ATV is new or used and confirm that the dealer collected the appropriate sales tax.
If your ATV has never been registered and you have none of the documents previously listed, complete a Statement of Ownership form (MV-51B), available from your local motor vehicle office. To register your ATV, you will need both the Statement of Ownership and the bill of sale.
PROOF OF SALES TAX PAYMENT To register your ATV, you must also prove you have paid the appropriate sales tax.
Acceptable documents that prove sales tax payment are:
- The dealer's bill of sale showing that the dealer had collected the sales tax; or,
- A receipt for sales tax payment from the local motor vehicle office. If you bought the ATV from someone other than a dealer, you must pay sales tax at the local motor vehicle office before it can be registered. To determine the proper amount of sales tax, DMV will need proof of what you paid for the ATV. Have the seller sign and give you a bill of sale that shows his or her name and address and yours, a complete description of the ATV (year, make, model, color, identification number, etc.), the date of sale and the purchase price.
PROOF OF IDENTITY AND DATE OF BIRTH DMV assigns point values to acceptable documents that prove your identity and name. To register an ATV, you must provide proof of date of birth and at least 6 points of proof of name. These proofs must be original documents or certificates, or copies certified by the issuing agency. At least one must include your signature. Photocopies and documents with erasures or changes will not be accepted. For the most recent listing of acceptable documents and point values see the Identification page.
Documents that qualify automatically as 6 points are:
- NYS Photo Driver License or Learner Permit
- NYS Non-Driver Photo Identification Card
CHANGE OF ADDRESS If you move, cross out the old address on your registration receipt and write in the new one. You must also report your address change to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. You may send a signed letter, or a "Change of Address" form, MV-232.
OUT-OF-STATE REGISTRATIONS New York honors valid out-of-state ATV registrations. If your home state does not require ATVs to be registered, you must obtain a New York State registration before operating your ATV in this state.
THEFT, DESTRUCTION, REMOVAL FROM STATE If your ATV has been stolen, you should immediately report the theft to the police. If the ATV is to be, or has been, destroyed or permanently removed from the state, you should surrender the plate and registration receipt to a local motor vehicle office.
INSURANCE You may not operate any ATV anywhere in New York State, except on your own property, unless it is covered by liability insurance. Minimum required coverage is $50,000/$100,000 for death, $25,000/$50,000 for injury and $10,000 for property damage in any one accident. You must show proof of this insurance upon the request of a judge, the police or a person claiming to have suffered injury or property damage from your operation of the ATV.
WHO MAY OPERATE AN ATV? You do not need a driver license to operate an ATV, but certain restrictions apply to operators under age 16.
If you are 10 through 15 years of age, you may operate an ATV only:
- Under adult supervision; or,
- Without adult supervision on lands owned or leased by your parent or guardian; or,
- On any lands where ATV use is permitted, without adult supervision, if you have completed an ATV safety training course approved by the DMV. You should carry your ATV Safety Course Certificate (MV-676) when operating your ATV.
If you are under age 10, you may operate an ATV only:
- Under adult supervision; or,
- Without adult supervision, only on lands owned or leased by your parent or guardian.
NOTE: Adult Supervision means being accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age, or a person 16 or 17 years of age who holds an ATV Safety Course Certificate (MV-676) from an approved safety course provider.
SAFETY TRAINING COURSES ATV safety training courses approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles are available throughout the state. Call 1-800-887-2887 to enroll in training nearest you, or write to:
ATV Safety Institute
Enrollment Express
2 Jenner St., Suite 150
Irvine, CA 92618-3806ATV safety information is also available on the internet at http://www.nyatvsafety.net/
RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS AND OWNERS An ATV owner, or another person in possession of an ATV, may not knowingly permit or authorize any person under age 16 to operate an ATV in violation of state or local laws. An ATV owner, or another person in possession of an ATV, may not knowingly permit or authorize any person under age 16 to operate an ATV in violation of any state or local law.
Both the owner and the operator of an ATV may be held liable for injury and/or damages resulting from an ATV accident.
WHERE AND WHEN TO RIDE ACROSS HIGHWAYS
DMV recommends you avoid crossing a highway unless absolutely necessary. If you cross, you must follow these rules:
- You must cross at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, at a place where there are no obstructions to prevent a quick, safe crossing.
- You must come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to traffic on the highway before crossing.
- You may cross a divided highway only where it intersects with another street or highway.
- You may not cross an interstate highway or any controlled-access highway, such as the Thruway or a parkway at any time.
ON HIGHWAYS
You may not operate an ATV on a highway unless it has been designated and posted for ATV use by the state or local authority. Usually, only the part of a highway between two off-highway trails will be posted for ATV use. Check with local police to be sure. DMV recommends you turn your headlight and taillight on and wear bright, reflective clothing whenever you ride on a highway. Always enter the highway with care, and yield to other traffic.
ON PUBLIC LAND
You may not operate an ATV on public land unless it is specifically designated for ATV use, and it is allowed by a posted sign.
ON PRIVATE LAND
To operate an ATV on private land, you must have permission of the land owner or lessee. If you receive permission, make sure you know the boundaries of the property, and respect any special restrictions or requests of the land owner. You could lose permission to ride on private land by littering, causing damage, or riding carelessly.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Whether you are the operator or passenger, you must wear a USDOT-approved helmet when riding an ATV. DMV recommends you also wear a face shield or goggles, and protective clothes and footwear.
Your ATV must have the following equipment:
- Brakes in good condition
- A muffler which is in good operating condition and meets federal standards
- A spark arrester approved by the U.S. Forest Service
- Tires with at least 2/32nds of an inch tread without visible breaks, cuts, exposed cords, bumps or bulges
- A lighted white headlight and red taillight if the ATV is driven at night
The law requires you to keep the ATV's headlight and taillight lighted when riding a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. For greater safety, DMV recommends you keep the lights on at all times.
RIDING RESTRICTIONS In addition to obeying the ATV laws and rules, it is wise to ride your ATV with common sense and courtesy. Having fun on an ATV does not include annoying others or taking foolish risks. ATV riders who ignore the rules and the rights of others may cause ATV operation to be restricted or prohibited on private and public lands.
YOU MAY NEVER OPERATE AN ATV:
Other than while seated on the permanent, regular seat.
With a passenger, unless the ATV is designed to carry a passenger. At a speed too fast for existing conditions or potential hazards. In a careless, reckless or negligent manner. While intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs. On the tracks or right-of-way of a railroad. On a highway, if the ATV is equipped with studded tires other than automobile-type studs. In a tree nursery or planting in a manner which damages or destroys growing stock or creates a substantial risk of damage or destruction. Within 100 feet of a dwelling between midnight and 6 A.M. at a speed greater than necessary to keep the ATV moving. While pulling a person on skis, a toboggan, sleigh, sled or trailer, unless the device is attached to the ATV by a tow-bar or other rigid connection. On the ice of public water within 100 feet of a person, fishing shanty or shelter at a speed greater than necessary to keep the ATV moving. Over an area cleared of snow for skating, unless necessary for access to public waters. LOCAL LAWS
No locality may require its own ATV licenses or registrations, but may impose additional restrictions or rules on ATV operation. Find out about special ATV rules in your area, and obey them.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The person in charge of an ATV special event or off-road competition must apply to the local jurisdiction for written authorization at least 30 days in advance, unless it is held entirely on private property.
For events and competitions on private property, the locality must be notified at least 30 days in advance.
While at the event or competition site, including pre-race practice, participating ATVs are exempt from the muffler, tire and light requirements.
ATV ACCIDENTS If you are involved in an accident with your ATV, you must give your name and address, the name and address of the ATV owner and the plate number to injured persons, the owners of damaged property, and/or the police. You also must show proof of insurance to persons claiming to have suffered injury or damage. If property is damaged, and you cannot locate the owner, you must give the above information to police as soon as possible.
You must immediately report to the police any accident that involves death, personal injury or damage estimated at $600 or more to the property of any one person.
You must also file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident MV-104 with the Department of Motor Vehicles about an accident that results in a fatality, personal injury, or property damage estimated at $600 or more. You must file the report within 10 days of the accident and send a copy to the county sheriff or police commissioner.
If you are incapacitated, the written report may be filed by another party familiar with the accident. The investigating police officer must also file a written report, but that does not relieve you of your legal responsibility to file one.
Failure to report an accident is a misdemeanor. A conviction may result in suspension or revocation of your safety training certificate and /or the ATV registration.
The Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend your safety training certificate, and/or the ATV registration, until you file an acceptable written report.
NEED MORE INFORMATION? The forms that are mentioned in this brochure are available at motor vehicle offices statewide, by request from a DMV Call Center or download forms at the DMV Internet Office.
Written questions about New York State's ATV or motorcycle safety programs should be addressed through the DMV Internet Office or to:
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Motorcycle Safety Program
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 527
Albany, NY 12228
C-29 (1/02) Edited for the Internet 9/02
Additional information can be found here: George E. Pataki, Governor
Raymond P. Martinez, Commissioner
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/atv-tip.htm -- Revised: March 08, 2004
Copyright © 2002 NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
Find AnswersCopyright 2004, NYS DMV, Office of Internet Services
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