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Snowmobile!
** Blue Heron Inn is located on Trail C-4 **

Chautauqua County's recorded snowfall over the last 49 years is an average of 203" per year. (We’ve already logged in 160 inches as of January 08, 2009!) And snowmobiling families flock to our area because it boasts hundreds of miles of well-groomed trails. Five clubs maintain more than 400 miles of linked trails perfect for continuous riding and convenient to service and "break" points. Visitors to the area are welcome and encouraged to join and support local clubs who membership dues maintain and continue to improve our wonderful trail system. Go to www.tourchautauqua.com and Request Travel Guide to receive the map of the entire system.

Snowmobiling Rules: All snowmobiles must be registered in New York. Visit, call or write the following locations for your NY State registration: 15 Lucus Ave., Dunkirk, NY (716) 366-0210; 110 E. 4th St., Jamestown, NY (716) 661-8220; N. Erie and Chautauqua St., Mayville, NY (716) 753-4229. Snowmobile registration is available every Saturday through Feb. 15th, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm at the Mayville Depot on Route 394, Mayville.

Chautauqua Lake Snow Mobile Club

The CLS Club grooms and maintains trails from Mayville and Chautauqua extending south to Sherman, Clymer, Panama & Findley Lake NY.
P.O. Box 134 Mayville, NY 14757
Phone: (716) 753-2924
Web site: www.chautauquasnow.com

Local Snowmobile Sales/Repair

• 3 Seas Recreation -- Lakewood, NY www.3seasrecreation.com
• Holiday Harbor -- Celeron, NY www.holidayharbor.net
• Trail Conditions - www.trailconditions.com

Snowmobile Registration

Any snowmobile operated in New York State must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), even if it is registered in another state or province, except under certain special circumstances. Registration is done at the time of sale by the dealer. A snowmobile obtained in a private sale or from an out-of-state source may be registered by the new owner at any Motor Vehicle office or by a dealer participating in the state's prepaid registration program. $35 of each resident and non-resident registration goes to the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund. This fund supports over 10,000 miles of public snowmobile trails in New York State, snowmobile safety education programs and enforcement of NYS snowmobile laws!

With whom do I register?

Any snowmobile operated in New York State must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), even if it is registered in another state or province.

Who should I contact to transfer a registration?

To transfer a registration from another state, to transfer due to death of the owner, or if the previous proofs of ownership are not available, contact the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles Office.

What paperwork will I need?
Before you can register your snowmobile, you must have:

• A completed Snowmobile Registration Application form MV-82SN (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us./forms/mv82sn.pdf)
• Proof of ownership as described below;
• Proof of payment of sales tax (if required) OR form DTF -802 as described below OR;
• The tax may be paid at the motor vehicle office;
• Proof of your identity and date of birth (for example, a driver's license);
• A check for the correct fee payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles".

I bought a snowmobile from a dealer. How do I provide Proof of Ownership if the sled is new?
If the snowmobile was purchased new from a dealer in New York State or elsewhere, provide:

• A Manufacturer's Certificate or Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO) and;
• A Bill of Sale showing seller's and buyer's name and address, date of sale, year, make, model, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine displacement or power (cc/hp), purchase price, dealer facility number (if a NY dealer), dealer tax identification number, and authorized signature.

I bought a snowmobile from a dealer. How do I provide Proof of Ownership if the sled is used, and previously registered?
If the snowmobile was purchased USED from a DEALER and was PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED in New York or elsewhere, provide:

1. The registration/transfer stub signed by the owner, or similar proof of ownership issued by another jurisdiction, and;
2. A Bill of Sale as described above.

I bought a snowmobile from a dealer. How do I provide Proof of Ownership if the sled is used, and has never been registered?
If the snowmobile was purchased USED from a DEALER and was NEVER REGISTERED anywhere, provide:

1. The MCO/MSO signed over to the dealer and;
2. A Bill of Sale as described above.

I bought a snowmobile from someone other than a dealer. How do I provide Proof of Ownership if the sled was previously registered?
If the snowmobile was purchased USED from a PRIVATE OWNER and was PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED in New York or elsewhere, provide:

1. The registration/transfer stub signed by the owner, or a similar proof of ownership from the jurisdiction of origin, and;
2. A form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, All Terrain Vehicle, Vessel, or Snowmobile) signed by the buyer. If the snowmobile is 7 years old or newer, the back of the DTF-802 MUST be signed by the seller. If it is older than 7 years, a DTF-802 or a Bill of Sale must be submitted. The Bill of Sale must include the buyer's name and address, date of sale, year, make, model, model number, color, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine displacement or power (cc/hp), and purchase price. You will pay the sales tax at the Motor Vehicle office.

I bought a snowmobile from someone other than a dealer. How do I provide Proof of Ownership if the sled has never been registered?
If the snowmobile was purchased from a PRIVATE OWNER and was NEVER REGISTERED anywhere, provide:

1. The MCO/MSO signed over to the new owner, and;
2. The original owner's Bill of Sale and sales tax receipts from all subsequent transfers between individuals, and;
3. A form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, All Terrain Vehicle, Vessel, or Snowmobile) signed by the buyer. If the snowmobile is 7 years old or newer, the back of the DTF-802 MUST be signed by the seller. If it is older than 7 years, a DTF-802 or a Bill of Sale must be submitted. The Bill of Sale must include the buyer's name and address, date of sale, the year, make, model, model number, color, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine displacement or power (cc/hp), and purchase price. You will pay the sales tax at the Motor Vehicle office.

How do I prove that the sales taxes are paid? What if I didn't pay any sales tax?
If the Bill of Sale shows that the dealer collected sales tax, it serves as proof of sales tax payment. Only an original or carbon copy of the Bill of Sale is acceptable - a photocopy is NOT acceptable. If you haven't paid sales tax because you bought from someone other that the dealer, you may pay your sales tax at DMV.

I'm registered in another state. How do I register in New York?
Owners of snowmobiles that are registered outside of New York State who are registering for the first time in New York State must provide a photocopy of the same ownership documents required in their home state (MCO/MSO, registration/transfer stub, and/or Bill of Sale/invoice). No sales tax is due on snowmobiles already registered in another jurisdiction.

Snowmobile Registration & Insurance Information

Display of Registration
Registration numbers are permanently assigned to a snowmobile when it is registered for the first time. These numbers stay with the machine from owner to owner until it is destroyed or permanently removed from the state.

DMV-provided registration number decals must be displayed on both sides of the cowling of the snowmobile at all times. The cowling is defined as the forward portion of the snowmobile surrounding the engine and clutch assembly. Any display position behind the snowmobile cowling (tunnel or seat area) or on the windshield is illegal and could result in an expensive citation for violation of the registration law.

Snowmobiles first registered prior to August 1995 must display owner-provided registration numbers on both sides of the cowling. They must be of block type, at least three inches tall, and in a contrasting and reflective color. A hyphen or a space must appear between the last number and the letters.

Snowmobiles registered for the first time after 1995 do not need to show the full display of registration numbers. These sleds only need to show the proper registration decal.

Yearly registration validation stickers must be displayed in the upper left hand corner of the DMV-provided registration number decals, or to the left of the owner-provided registration numbers.

Snowmobiles already registered in another state or province must be registered at a Motor Vehicle office or a snowmobile dealer who participates in the state's prepaid registration program. Snowmobiles legally registered in another state or province are NOT required to display the New York State registration number decals, only the yearly validation stickers. The stickers must be displayed next to the home state or province registration sticker or number.

Insurance Requirements
All snowmobiles operated on any part of a roadway or shoulder of a highway in New York State must be covered by minimum liability insurance.

New York State Parks law requires snowmobilers to carry liability coverage in the minimum amount of $10,000 for an accident involving one person, $20,000 for an accident involving two or more persons, and $5,000 for property damage from one accident.

Proof of insurance must be carried by the snowmobiler and must be displayed on request of any magistrate, law enforcement officer, or anyone who has suffered personal injury or property damage as a result of the snowmobiler's actions.

Trailers and Trailer Registration
Trailers manufactured specifically for snowmobiles are usually the best choices. Your tow vehicle should be big enough and have enough power to handle the trailer easily or you will put yourself and your snowmobiles in a very dangerous situation.

All trailers operated on New York State's public highways must be registered, inspected, and display a license plate with an annual validation tag. The vehicle used to tow the trailer must be insured. You must provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with all required items to receive a valid registration and license plate for your trailer.

Custom-built trailers must meet all equipment requirements of section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and must be assigned a vehicle identification number by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Contact your county's weights and measures office for local weighing stations.

Trailer Registration Materials Check List
You must have the following items to register your snowmobile:

• A completed Application for Vehicle Registration form MV-82;
• Proof of ownership - a complete Bill of Sale AND one of the following:
• an MCO/MSO for a new trailer, OR a signed Title document for a 1973 or newer used trailer weighing more than 1,000 pounds unloaded, OR;
• a signed transferable registration for a used trailer not requiring a Title;
• Proof of payment of sales tax OR tax may be paid at the motor vehicle office;
• Proof of your identity ands date of birth;
• A check for the correct fee payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles".