Recent Legislation Changes Snowmobile, ATV and UTV Laws
Contacts: DNR Conservation Warden Gary Eddy, ATV/Snowmobile Administrator,608-245-2315; Linda Olver, Customer and Outreach Services Policy Advisor, 608-264-8985
The Wis. Department of Natural Resources reminds all snowmobilers of a few Wisconsin law changes regarding trail passes this year – including one which requires snowmobilers with valid Wisconsin public use registration to buy an annual Wisconsin snowmobile trail pass.
Trails passes are $30 for the annual pass or $10 if a member of a snowmobile club affiliated with the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC). For information on AWSC discounts visit, please visit: www.awsc.org/Trail-Pass-Registration.aspx
DNR Conservation Warden Gary Eddy, also the ATV/snowmobile administrator, said dollars generated from the snowmobile trail passes will be placed in a segregated fund to pay for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails. “This is a direct benefit to Wisconsin snowmobiling,” he said, adding the state is known for its outstanding snowmobile trails and winter fun.
In other law changes, Eddy said a recent bill signed by the governor makes slight adjustments to Wisconsin trail pass requirements and commercial snowmobile registrations. Changes were effective November 13, 2015. These include:
- Customers ordering ATV, UTV or snowmobile trail passes online will be issued a temporary trail pass receipt which will allow them to operate on public trails until their pass is mailed to them. Customers ordering the Wisconsin snowmobile trail pass (for snowmobiles registered in Wisconsin) at select license agents will receive a temporary operating receipt. The receipt must be displayed to law enforcement upon request. The temporary trail pass receipt is good for 10 days. Trail passes are sent via U.S. Postal Service and usually arrive within 10 days.
- Temporary trail pass receipts will not be issued for the discounted snowmobile club member trail passes or non-resident annual trail passes. Non-resident snowmobile trail passes are available at many select license agents.
- Antique snowmobiles displaying valid Wisconsin antique registration decals are exempt from the trail pass requirement. To be registered as an antique the snowmobile must be 35 years or older.
- Non-resident snowmobile owners may now register their snowmobile as an antique in Wisconsin.
- Commercial snowmobile certificate holders, typically dealers and rentals, may mount their trail pass and their metal plate to a removable plate. The plate can be removable and temporarily but firmly mounted. There are no size restrictions and the plate can be homemade.
For more detailed information regarding these requirements and how to order trail passes, visit: dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “snowmobile trail pass.” For information on the discounted club membership trail pass, please contact Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs.