If you are registering your ATV (whether purchased in Vermont or out-of-state) for the first time in Vermont you must complete the entire Vermont Motor Vehicle Registration, Tax and Title application ( 424.7KB) and comply with all requirements indicated on the application.

The instructions ( 334.3KB) for completion of the Vermont Motor Vehicle Registration, Tax and Title application will provide you with important details concerning these requirements.

Registration plates are assigned and mailed to you unless you indicate otherwise.

Most questions you may have regarding this type of transaction may be answered by reading the instructions ( 334.3KB) pertaining to the Vermont Motor Vehicle Registration, Tax and Title Application. If you don't find answers to your questions in that document (or elsewhere on this web site) please telephone:

(802) 828-2000, or
(toll free) 1-888-99-VERMONT (1-888-998-3766)

or send an email to CommissionersOffice@state.vt.us with your specific question(s).

The first registration or validation of a vessel/personal watercraft (Jetski)/shuttlecraft in Vermont is subject to the sales tax unless :

1. A purchase invoice is presented showing a sales tax of 6% or more paid to a dealer in any one of the 45 state jurisdictions imposing a sales tax. Alaska, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have a Sales and Use tax.
2. The applicant is a nonresident of Vermont and purchased the vessel in a state other than Vermont while a nonresident.
3. The applicant is a nonresident of Vermont and purchased the vessel in Vermont, however, received title or possession or both in another state.
4. The applicant is a nonresident of Vermont and submits a copy of a valid registration from his home state.
5. The vessel is a acquired through a transfer to an individual (relative or not) for no consideration.

The following documentation is required for a first-time Vermont Motorboat Registration:

NOTE: Vessel validations expire annually, at midnight the last day of December. In addition to documents listed below, 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.

Titleable Vessel

Vessel is new (not previously registered anywhere):

• Original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
  (If assignment made by other than Dealer, title of one signing must be indicated or Power of Attorney Appointment submitted.)
• Bill of Sale (for sales tax purposes)
• Additional Bill of Sale
  (all Bills of Sale must include the make, year, Hull Identification Number, purchase price, date and signature of Seller)

Vessel is used (has been titled previously):

• The original (previous) Certificate of Title
  Must be signed by all parties listed as owners on the face of the title
  All liens must be released
  Death Certificates &/or probate letters when owner(s) is/are deceased
• Bill of Sale
  (all Bills of Sale must include the make, year, Hull Identification Number, purchase price, date and signature of Seller)

Vessel is used (not previously titled):

• Original or certified copy of last Registration Certificate and all Bills of Sale thereafter

Non-Titleable Vessel

• A Bill of Sale (from Seller to you describing the vessel by Hull Identification Number, make, year, date of sale, purchase price and Seller's signature, or
• Seller's signature(in Section 5B of the Vermont Motorboat Registration Application ( 719.78KB), or
• Copy of out-of-state Registration Certificate in your name

Most questions you may have regarding motorboat transactions may be answered by reading the instructions  portion of the Vermont Motorboat Registration Application ( 719.78KB). If you don't find answers to your questions in that document (or elsewhere on this web site) please telephone:

(802) 828-2000, or
(toll free) 1-888-99-VERMONT (1-888-998-3766)

or send an email to CommissionersOffice@state.vt.us with your specific question(s).

Supporting Documents Required For New/First-time Registration (in your name):

Taxable snowmobile transactions must be accompanied by tax form SU-452 ( 303.73KB) unless this is a Vermont Dealer transaction and the appropriate section of the Vermont Snowmobile Registration Application form TA-VD-38 ( 472.93KB) has been completed by the Dealer (Note: Form SU-452 Vermont Use Tax Return is available from the Vermont Department of Taxes and the Vermont DMV)

Titleable Snowmobile (Snowmobiles with model year 2004 and after)

New (not previously registered anywhere)

• Original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (If assignment made by other than Dealer, title of one signing must be indicated or Power of Attorney Appointment submitted.)
• Bill of Sale (for Sales Tax purposes)
• Additional Bill of Sale (all Bills of Sale must include Make, Year, Identification Number, Purchase Price, Date and Signature of Seller)

Used (previously titled)

• The Original previous Certificate of Title (or duplicate, if applicable)
  ⇒Title must be signed by all parties listed as owners on face of the title.
  ⇒All liens must be released.
  ⇒Death Certificates and/or probate letters are required when owner(s) is/are deceased.
• Bill of Sale (all Bills of Sale must include Make, Year, Identification Number, Purchase Price, Date and Signature of Seller)

Used (NOT previously titled)

• Original or certified copy of last Registration Certificate and all Bills of Sale thereafter.

Non-Titleable Snowmobile (Snowmobiles with model year prior to 2004)

• A Bill of Sale from seller to you describing the snowmobile by Make, Year, Identification Number, Date of Sale, Purchase Price and Seller's Signature or . . .
• Seller's Signature in Section 5 of the application form TA-VD-38 ( 472.93KB) or . . .
• Copy of out-of-state Registration Certificate in your name.

Antique Snowmobiles

Title 23, Chapter 29, Subchapter 1, §3204a of Vermont Statutes Annotated governs registration of an antique snowmobile.

Non-Residents

Registration reciprocity is granted to a snowmobile registered and numbered by any other state or province (provided a valid Vermont "Trails Maintenance Assessment" decal issued by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers is also displayed adjacent to the registration decal on the left side of the snowmobile). To obtain details on any other requirements, contact: Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc. (V.A.S.T.), P.O. Box 839, Montpelier, VT 05601, Telephone: (802) 229-0005.

Most questions you may have regarding snowmobile transactions may be answered by reading the instructions portion of the Vermont Snowmobile Registration Application ( 472.93KB). If you don't find answers to your questions in that document (or elsewhere on this web site) please telephone:

(802) 828-2000, or
(toll free) 1-888-99-VERMONT (1-888-998-3766)

or send an email  to CommissionersOffice@state.vt.us with your specific question(s).