Registering ATV's

Vermont ATV registrations (limited use off-highway plates) are valid for a period of one (1) year.

Residents must annually register ATV's owned or leased for a period of more than thirty days and operated by them, unless currently registered in Vermont. It is illegal for a person to operate an ATV unless the ATV is registered. A "Resident" is any legal resident of this state and any person who accepts employment or engages in a trade, profession or occupation in this state for a period of at least six months (except a person who lives in another state and who returns to that state on a regular basis ---not less than weekly). Also any foreign partnership, firm, association or corporation having a place of business in this state is considered to be a resident with regard to all vehicles owned or leased and which are garaged or maintained in this state.

ATV's may be registered at the Vermont DMV main office (in Montpelier) and certain registration transactions may be performed at our satellite offices (see DMV Office Locations).

Registering Motorboats

You must register your boat if you own and operate a boat, personal watercraft/PWC (Jetski), or shuttlecraft, with a motor attached, on the waters of this state, unless you live out of state and your boat is already registered in your home state or your boat has a valid document issued by a federal agency (Vermont resident or non-resident). To register use form TA-VD-37 Motorboat Registration Application ( 719.78KB).

Note: Any watercraft (shuttlecraft) which is propelled by other powered watercraft, docked or attached to it, must be registered as a motorboat in addition to the personal watercraft/PWC (Jetski) being registered.

Vessel validations expire annually, at midnight the last day of December. In addition to other documents that may be required, your registration application must be accompanied by:

1. A copy of a current (valid) out-of-state registration, or
2. A current/valid document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, or the U.S. Bureau of Customs.

You may operate in Vermont for a period of 90 consecutive days if your home state grants like privileges to Vermont boats or your boat has a federally issued number. However, if you use your vessel in Vermont waters for 30 days or more you must obtain a vessel validation sticker. This validation of your out of state or federal registration will be in effect through December 31 each year. Use form TA-VD-113 Application for Vessel Validation ( 95.76KB) instead of  Vermont's registration form (TA-VD-37).

Motorboat Registration Number

The motorboat registration number will be assigned by the Motor Vehicle Department. The owner shall either paint the number on each side of the bow (front section) of the motorboat or purchase the numbers and attach them to each side of the bow. The registration numbers must be positioned and of a size so that they are clearly visible.

Hull Identification Number (HIN)

If there is no Hull Identification Number for your vessel you must make application to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles for assignment of a HIN on form # TA-VR-07 ( 244.63KB). All vessels manufactured on (or after) November 1, 1972 must have a 12-digit to 17-digit HIN.

Registering Snowmobiles

Sections 3201, 3202, and 3204a of Title 23, Chapter 29, Subchapter 1 of Vermont Statutes Annotated explain the circumstances under which a snowmobile must be registered in Vermont.

New (first time being registered by you) registrations can be processed at all permanent DMV offices, (Mobile Van locations can only process if all paperwork is complete and no temporary registration is required), Snowmobile Dealers or VAST.

Renewal of snowmobile registrations can be processed at all DMV locations, using a DMV kiosk (located in Montpelier, Bennington, S. Burlington, Newport and Springfield DMV offices), at the DMV online renewal site or at a VAST location.