Purchase Snowmobile Trail Permit

Purchase Snowmobile Trail Permit

In addition to registering a snowmobile with the Secretary of State, a person (resident and nonresident) that operates a snowmobile in Michigan is required to purchase a snowmobile trail permit. The trail permit enables snowmobilers to ride state-designated trails and thousands more miles of public roads and on public lands (where authorized). It is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. State-designated trails are open Dec. 1-March 31 and grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground.

Where to purchase your trail permit

• Online through eLicense (your sticker will be mailed to you within 7-10 days).
• In person at a number of DNR customer service centers.
• In person at a number of license agents approved by the DNR.
• Online with the Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association.

Please note: the online license system will be unavailable from Saturday, Feb. 15 through Monday, Feb. 18. The only way to purchase a trail permit during that time is at a license agent who sells pre-printed snowmobile permits. See list of agents selling pre-printed snowmobile and ORV permits.

Did you know?

Michigan’s snowmobile program is 100% funded by trail permit and registration dollars – dollars that are directly reinvested into the program for the benefit of snowmobilers. The funds pay for grooming, signage, maintenance, bridge and culvert construction, purchase of new equipment, liability insurance; maintenance of trailhead amenities (signage, bathrooms, plowing of parking lots) and other snowmobile-related expenditures.