350.12 Registration of snowmobiles; trail use stickers.

948 words·~4 min read·/wi/chapter-350/350-12-2

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)Registration requirement. After January 1, 1970, no person shall operate, and no owner shall give permission for the operation of any snowmobile within this state unless the operation of the snowmobile complies with sub.

(a)1. or

(cm)or is exempt from registration. No political subdivision shall have authority to register or license snowmobiles.

(2)Exemption. A snowmobile is exempt from registration if it is one of the following:

(a)Owned by the United States, another state or a political subdivision thereof, but such snowmobiles shall display the name of the owner on the cowling thereof.

(b)Covered by a valid registration in another state, province or country, provided there is some identification of registration displayed on the snowmobile and it has not been in this state for more than 15 consecutive days.

(bm)Covered by a valid registration of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band, if all of the following apply:

1. The registration program of the tribe or band is covered by an agreement under s. 23.35 .

2. The snowmobile displays the registration decal required by the tribe or band.

3. The snowmobile has not been, for more than 15 consecutive days, in that portion of this state that is outside the boundaries of the reservation where it is registered.

(bn)In the registration application process in another state, province or country, if proof of the application for registration is carried on the operator and the snowmobile has not been in this state for more than 15 consecutive days.

(c)Used exclusively for racing on a raceway facility.

(d)Present in this state, for a period not to exceed 15 days, and if it is used exclusively as part of an advertisement being made for the manufacturer of the snowmobile.

(3)Applications, issuances, renewals, fees.

1. Except as provided under subs.

(2)and

(cm), no person may operate and no owner may give permission for the operation of any snowmobile within this state unless the snowmobile is registered for public use or private use under this paragraph or s. 350.122 or as an antique under par.

(b)and has the registration decals displayed as required under sub.

(5)or s. 350.122 or unless the snowmobile has a plate and a registration decal attached as required under par.

(b)may be registered for public use. A snowmobile that is not registered as an antique under par.

(b)and that is used exclusively on private property, as defined under s. 23.33

(n), may be registered for private use. A snowmobile public-use registration certificate is valid for 3 years beginning on the July 1 prior to the date of application if registration is made prior to April 1 and beginning on the July 1 subsequent to the date of application if registration is made after April 1 and ending on June 30, 3 years thereafter. A snowmobile private-use registration certificate is valid from the date of issuance until ownership of the snowmobile is transferred. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a public-use registration certificate is $30, except that the fee is $5 if it is a snowmobile owned and operated by a political subdivision of this state. There is no fee for the issuance of a private-use registration certificate or for the issuance of a registration certificate to the state.

2. Upon transfer of ownership of a snowmobile for which a registration certificate has been issued by this state or by another state, province, or country, the seller shall, at time of sale, deliver the assigned certificate to the purchaser.

3. The purchaser shall complete the application for transfer and cause it to be delivered to the department or an agent appointed under sub.

(a)3. within 10 days from the date of purchase. A fee of $5 shall be paid for transfer of a current registration certificate.

4. Whenever a snowmobile is junked, the owner shall return the certificate of registration to the department marked “junked”.

1. An owner of a snowmobile may register the snowmobile as an antique snowmobile if it is at least 35 years old at the time that the owner applies for such registration. Upon payment of a fee of $20, the owner shall be furnished a registration certificate and decals of a distinctive design, in lieu of the design on the decals issued under par.

(d). The design shall show that the snowmobile is an antique. The registration certificate shall be valid for 3 years. If the snowmobile is registered before April 1, the 3-year period begins on the July 1 before the date of application. If the snowmobile is registered on or after April 1 of a given year, the 3-year period begins on the July 1 after the date of application. The fee for issuance of the initial registration certificate is $20. The fee for renewal of the registration is $5.

2. An owner who has applied to register a snowmobile under this paragraph before April 10, 2014, is exempt from the initial registration requirement under subd. 1. if the person submits an application to renew the registration under subd. 1. before March 1, 2015.

3. Unless inconsistent with this paragraph, the provisions of this chapter applicable to other snowmobiles shall apply to antique snowmobiles.

1. Every person who is a snowmobile manufacturer, snowmobile dealer, snowmobile distributor or snowmobile renter or any combination thereof engaged in business in this state shall register with the department and obtain from the department a commercial snowmobile certificate.