license

[Chris Haley]

OK our's aren't licensed since they never leave the farm. Do they need to be licensed to go on a lake?

[Macgyver55]

Yes, and technically they have to be registered even to have them on the farm.

From the rule book:

ATV dual public and private use registration

Some circumstances require ATVs to be registered for both public and

private use. If an ATV is used for agricultural purposes on road surfaces, a

private use registration is required. If the same ATV is also used on public

land or frozen water, both public and private use registrations are needed.

[Chris Haley]

Thank you! Not going to worry about the farm too much though. Just won't take one fishing.

[Dave S]

Just an FYI Chris, any law enforcement although as controversial as it is, can enter your property and cite you for no registration, even on the farm.

[magnum mike]

If you are transporting the ATV on a public roadway (on a trailer or box of a pick-up) you can be cited for no registration. I've seen it happen.

[Scenic]

Sorry to disagree with you Mike but I would like to see that ticket. The book clearly states:

"All ATVs operated in Minnesota must be registered with the DNR, including those used exclusively on private property"

Take notice to the word "operated".

[PurpleFloyd]

Yes, and technically they have to be registered even to have them on the farm.

From the rule book:

ATV dual public and private use registration

Some circumstances require ATVs to be registered for both public and

private use. If an ATV is used for agricultural purposes on road surfaces, a

private use registration is required. If the same ATV is also used on public

land or frozen water, both public and private use registrations are needed.

Only if you drive it on the roads or ditches, which are public. If you drive only on your own private property and never cross a road or public land then you are not breaking the law. But it is though to never drive over a road or ditch at some point. In the end it is better to have the license and know you are OK then to not have it and get busted the first time you do wander.

[Dave S]

Floyd, read through the reg's a little more clearly. An ATV with a public use registration can cross a road without a private use registration and in limited circumstances can travel on the extreme right edge of the road to avoid obstacles such as wetlands or other hazards. They must return to the ditch when conditions allow.

Secondly, (this is only for clarification, not in repsonse to Floyd) Class II ATVs CANNOT be operated within a ditch unless it's part of a designated Class II trail. The Public Use Registration allows for Class II operation on the extreme right hand side of county/township and city right-of-ways as long as it's not otherwise illegal per the local authority.

If an ATV has a public use registration, the private use isn't required. Private Use is made available for machines that are strictly used for just that (private use and ag use) and not taken onto public trails or frozen waters as well as to offer a 1-time purchase of a registration (good as long as you own the vehicle).

In response to Magnum Mikes post about trailering an unregistered ATV, I would also like to see the ticket. A fellow instructor had an ATV on a trailer with an expired license. The CO called him out on it in the middle of a class (with a lot of humor and laughter from the kids). No ticket was issued and the machine was left on the trailer throughout the course.

If anybody has any more questions, either go into the thread towards the top of the list here in the ATV forums with the link into the current ATV regulations or feel free to ask here.

[magnum mike]

Fellas, I have been stopped for driving WELL over the posted legal speed limit and did not recieve a citation. I also got paperwork for going 55 with the cruise control set in the morning on clean dry roads. The LEOs do not have to issue citations for every little issue and can issue citations when they shouldn't. The point is why push your luck. Get the machine registered.

[ruapache]

I think if you can afford a machine, you can afford a license.

[Bigbuck08]

Question, I just bought a 87 Yamaha Regulations say atv 25 years and older are Exempt from registration does this mean I can still use it for ice fishing,Deer hunting W/out Registering it ? Thanks.

[Dave S]

Per the reg's, registration isn't required as you stated. BUT....the reg's aren't as clearly defined as the snowmobile reg's for "classic" snowmobiles.

There is a registration available at a reduced price ($14.50) that permits unlimited use for machines 25 years old or older. In the text, it also states you "MAY" purchase this registration for unlimited use. I'll be the first to say this leaves a gray area wide open for misinterpretation.

FWIW, my interp on this is, machines 25+ years old are considered classic and don't need registration if they're being used as a collectors item. Any other use you may need to purchase the $14.50 registration.

In this case, be safe and call the CO in the area you plan to use it and verify this.

[Bigbuck08]

Thanks, I wish the DNR would be more clear on this. I think I'll just go get one to be on the safe side.