Observing Snowmobile Laws in Vermont

Riding Safely: Education Requirements

Anyone born after July 1, 1983, who is 12 years of age and older must complete a six-hour snowmobile safety course that is recognized by the State of Vermont.

The purpose of this education course is to help prevent accidents and ensure a bright future for snowmobiling and the millions who enjoy it. Your personal alertness, riding skill, and attention to safe and responsible operating procedures help guarantee that millions can enjoy snowmobiling now and in the future—and that you’ll be one of them.

Snowmobilers who carry a current safety certificate from another state or country satisfy education requirements, as long as the safety course meets International Association of Snowmobile Administrators (IASA) standards.

Another Reason Safety Education Matters

• Many of the snowmobile passes sold in the State of Vermont are issued to snowmobilers from other states. Most of these snowmobilers are in Vermont on vacation and may have little, if any, safety education or experience.
• You benefit when you ride safely and alertly, looking out for other snowmobilers.

Understanding Age Requirements

• Ideal conditions for direct supervision include:
  • The physical presence of the adult on the snowmobile with the young operator or…
  • The adult being close enough to control, by communicating visually or orally, the operation of a snowmobile by an operator under 16 years of age.
• The supervising person must take into account the noise created by snowmobiles and the protective headgear worn by the operator.

Providing Proof of Financial Responsibility

• Anyone operating a snowmobile in Vermont must have a liability insurance policy or bond in certain dollar amounts.
• Please review the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information.
• You always must carry proof of insurance with you on your snowmobile.

Registering Your Snowmobile

Snowmobile registration decals are:

• Issued by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Required for every snowmobile, unless the snowmobile is operated solely on private land owned by the snowmobiler or with written permission from the landowner.
• Valid for one registration year—from September 1 to August 31.
• Acceptable if issued in another state.
• To be displayed on the left side of the snowmobile on the cowl, windshield, belly pan, or tunnel.

Registration Decal: Decals may be placed in one of four different locations: cowl, windshield, belly pan, or tunnel.

Operating a Snowmobile on the SSTS

• Anyone snowmobiling on the SSTS must have a valid Trails Maintenance Assessment Pass (TMA).
• Display the TMA decal on the snowmobile to the left of the registration decal.
• A copy of the TMA application receipt must be carried in the snowmobile at all times.
• A TMA is not required to operate on frozen bodies of water that are not a part of the SSTS.

Trail Maintenance Assessment/Trail Pass (TMA) Decal: TMA decals must be placed to the left of the registration decal.