Recreational Vehicles

Recreational Vehicles

  • You must register a moped, watercraft, or a snowmobile with the Department of State

    If you own a moped, watercraft, or a snowmobile, you must register it with the Department of State (unless it is exempt) and display a registration decal. When applying for the registration, you must submit proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale, manufacturer's certificate of origin or other paperwork that verifies ownership. Once a registration number has been assigned, it cannot be transferred to another moped, watercraft, or snowmobile.

  • Riding a Moped Safely

    All mopeds must be registered with the Department of State. A driver's license or moped license is required.

  • Off Road Vehicles (ORV)

    ORV's are titled through the Secretary of State. While a registration is not issued, ORV's used on public land must display an annual ORV decal.

  • Watercraft

    All watercraft 20 feet and longer, and all watercraft with a permanently affixed engine (i.e. that have an inboard motor), regardless of length, must be titled. Watercraft that aren't normally titled may be titled at the request of the owner in order to add a lienholder to the record.

  • Snowmobiles

    All snowmobiles must be registered unless used on private property. A three-year registration is issued for $30. The snowmobile registration number is printed on the three-year snowmobile decal. Snowmobile decals must be displayed on "each side of the forward half of the cowl above the footwell of the snowmobile."

  • Historic Snowmobile Registrations

    Michigan law allows owners to register snowmobiles 26 or more years old and owned solely as a collector's item as a historic snowmobile. Historic snowmobiles are limited to occasional use and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses, including mechanical testing.

  • Trailers All trailers must be registered when used on-road. If the trailer weighs over 2,500 lbs., it must be titled as well. All trailer coaches are titled and registered regardless of weight.