Recreational vehicles

All watercraft 20 feet and over in length and all watercraft with a permanently affixed engine, regardless of length, must be titled. Watercraft not required to be titled may be titled upon the request of the owner. 

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issue ORV decals. Also, most ORV dealers issue these decals. Check your local telephone directory for the DNR or ORV dealer office nearest you. 

See information on assembled vehicles in Titles.

Information on titles

All snowmobiles must be registered unless used only on private property. 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 foot well of the snowmobile."

Owners may elect to register snowmobiles 26 or more years old and owned solely as a collector's item as a historic snowmobile. A non-expiring historic snowmobile registration is issued and is placed above or below the headlight or, if the historic snowmobile was not originally equipped with a headlight, on the forward half of the cowl above the footwell. 

ORV's are titled but not registered through the Secretary of State. ORV's used on public land must display an annual ORV decal. ORV decals are issued through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 

Watercraft may be renewed at Online Services, at a self-service kiosk, by mail or in person at a Secretary of State office. 

Snowmobiles are not titled. To transfer ownership, simply complete the back of your snowmobile registration. If you have lost the registration, then a complete bill of sale with the year, make, vehicle identification number, registration number (if available) and the names and addresses of the buyer and seller to transfer ownership. 

If the watercraft is not titled, simply complete the back of your watercraft registration. If you have lost the registration, then a complete bill of sale with the year, make, hull identification number, MC registration number (if available) and the names and addresses of the buyer and seller may be used to transfer ownership.

If the watercraft is titled, a properly assigned title must be used to transfer ownership. If the title and/or registration are lost, a duplicate can be acquired by the owner(s) from any Secretary of State branch office. Without a properly assigned title, registration or bill of sale, a court order or surety bond would be needed to transfer the ownership. For more information contact your local Secretary of State branch office or the Michigan Department of State, Driver and Vehicle Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424).  

If the new owner does not want a title and the watercraft does not need a title to perfect a lien (show a secured party), the previous owner's title is surrendered at the time the buyer transfers the registration into his/her name and pays any tax due. The Secretary of State branch office will arrange for the cancellation of the previous title. 

The watercraft record needs to be researched. To initiate this, you may visit your local Secretary of State office, send a message at Michigan.gov/ContactSOS or call the Michigan Department of State Driver and Vehicle Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424). 

Michigan law defines a moped as a two or three-wheel vehicle which meets ALL of the following limitations:

1. Top speed is no more than 30 mph on level surface
2. Engine size is 100 cc or less
3. No manual gearshift

Vehicles meeting this definition are classified as a moped and are registered with a 3-year moped decal for $15. Vehicles exceeding any of the characteristics listed above are classified as motorcycles.

The assigned registration and the Coast Guard documentation papers in the new owner's name must be shown to register a documented vessel.

All watercraft on Michigan waters, including privately owned lakes and waterways, must be registered except:

Watercraft 16 feet or less, propelled by oars or paddles, and not used for rental or commercial purposes;
Non-motorized canoes and kayaks not used for rental or commercial purposes, rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats, regardless of length;
Watercraft registered in another state and used only temporarily in Michigan.

For most watercraft, the registration fee is based on length. All registrations expire on March 31 in the third year of issuance.

Trail Permit stickers are displayed on the front of the snowmobile, centered on the hood directly above the headlight.

Snowmobile trail permits cost $52 each and expire on Sept. 30 of each year. Trail permits are sold by agents of the Department of Natural Resources, including sporting goods stores, local retailers, snowmobile dealers, department stores, resort motels, etc. The generated revenue is designated to develop and maintain snowmobile trails.

In addition to the regular three-year snowmobile registration, all snowmobiles used on public land must display an annual Snowmobile Trail Permit sticker. This applies to both residents and nonresidents. Snowmobiles used on private land or used only on frozen public waters for ice fishing are exempt from the trail permit.

A trail permit is not required for snowmobiles registered as a historic snowmobile.