Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 14 - AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION
Sub-Agency 050 - MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT
Chapter 002 - SNOWMOBILE/MOTORBOAT DEALER'S GUIDE
Section 14 050 002 - SNOWMOBILE/MOTORBOAT DEALER'S GUIDE
Current through August, 2024
ATV dealership needing assistance with complicated problems should contact the Department of Motor Vehicles between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except holidays.
For information and assistance in the following areas, please contact the personnel listed.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DEALER REGULATIONS: Telephone: 828-2067
Field Services Division
Bonnie Rutledge, Director, Field Services
Investigative Section
Ronald Macie, Chief Inspector
Dealer problems on REGISTRATION, TAX AND TITLE: Telephone: 828-2080
Information and Document Control Section
Robert King, Exam/Document Control Chief
Barbara Rugo, Inspector
Louis Theriault, Inspector
Thomas Tessier, Inspector
TEMPORARY PLATES AND FUEL USER INFORMATION: Telephone: 828-2074
Commercial Vehicle Operations Section
Linda McAllister, Chief of Commercial Vehicle Operations
Dealer's Licensing, Temporary Plates
Dorothy Batchelder, Unit Supervisor
NOTE: Names and addresses of the Supervising Inspectors and District Inspectors are given on the following Page "C".
[See illustration in printed publication.]
Listed below are the names, addresses and phone numbers for area Supervising inspectors and District Inspectors assigned to their areas. They may be contacted by telephone Monday through Friday, except holidays, prior to 8:00 A.M and after 5:30 P.M.
DISTRICT 1 - NORTHERN AREA
Supervising Inspector Roger Cram
Box 128
Richmond, Vermont 05477
Telephone: 434-3384
Inspector Dana Kallahan
P.O. Box 614
St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819
Telephone: 626-9546
Inspector Michael McGlynn
Route 1
East Calais, Vermont 05650
Telephone: 456-7479
Inspector Ronald Richer
12 Lindale Drive
Colchester, Vermont 05446
Telephone: 879-7890
Inspector Guy Welch
RFD 1
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
Telephone: 229-4460
DISTRICT 2 - SOUTHERN AREA
Supervising Inspector Carol Kostelnik
Box 254
Killington, Vermont 05751
Telephone: 422-3582
Inspector Robert McNeil
RFD # 1, Box 397
Ludlow, Vermont 05149
Telephone: 228-4481
Inspector Robert Turner, Jr.
P.O. Box 105
North Clarendon, Vermont 05759
Telephone: 775-6191
§ 3201 - Definitions
SNOWMOBILE - DEALER
§ 3204 - Registration Fees and Plates
Fees for registration certificates shall be $ 25.00 for the first certificate issued to any person and $ 3.00 for any additional certificate issued to the same person within the current registration period.
Motorboats subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be divided into four classes, as follows:
Class A. Less than sixteen feet in length.
Class 1. Sixteen feet or over and less than twenty-six feet in length.
Class 2. Twenty-six feet or over and less than forty feet in length.
Class 3. Forty feet or over.
MOTORBOAT - Dealer
NOTE: The word "Dealer" for the purposes of these regulations shall include such of the principal officers of a corporation registered as dealer and such of the partners in a co-partnership registered as dealer as are actively and principally engaged in the business, but shall not include directors and stockholders, nor inactive or silent partners.
NOTE: The SNOWMOBILE Dealer plate must be securely attached to the Snowmobile so as to make it clearly visible.
NOTE: The MOTORBOAT Dealer plate shall be securely fastened to the motorboat so as to make it clearly visible.
A person other than a dealer shall not operate a snowmobile, or motorboat with dealer's plate attached unless such person carries a written authority to do so signed by the dealer whose snowmobile or motorboat such person is operating.
Employees of a dealer shall not operate, and a lealer shall not permit then to operate, a snowmobile or motorboat with dealer's registration plate displayed thereon, except for business purposes of the dealer.
A dealer shall not loan number plates which have been assigned to him/her under the provisions of these rules, nor shall s/he loan a snowmobile or motorboat to which his/her dealer's number plates have been attached, nor loan his/her dealer's number plates to a sub-agent.
No dealer shall rent or lease snowmobiles or motorboats with dealer plates attached.
A dealer shall not operate a snowmobile or motorboat nor permit the same to be operated under dealer's registration numbers, except as specifically permitted in these regulations.
If a dealer plate is lost or stolen, the dealer shall immediately notify the nearest State Police authority and MUST also notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (Dealer Section).
If a replacement plate is desired, mail a $ 7.00 check or money order and a request for a duplicate to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Attention: Dealer Clerk, along with a letter or duplicate plate request stating the original was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
If a plate is reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles as lost or stolen, it will be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system and the registration will be cancelled. If the lost or stolen plate is later recovered it MUST be returned to the Department of Motor Vehicles and CANNOT be used again.
On a form prescribed by the commissioner, every licensed snowmobile or motorboat dealer shall maintain a record containing the following information. The records shall be open to inspection by any law enforcement officer during reasonable business hours.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
On a form prescribed by the commissioner, every licensed snowmobile or motorboat dealer shall report the sale or exchange of every snowmobile or motorboat. The report of sale must be made out on ALL SALES, including dealer wholesale sales or exchanges.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
Three Copies
All snowmobiles shall be equipped with one or more headlights, a red rear light all in working order, and brakes in good mechanical condition and be equipped with an efficient muffler and such other equipment and devices as may be required to meet the noise level specifications, and if equipped with a windshield it shall be free from sharp or jagged edges.
No person shall offer to sell within the State of Vermont a snowmobile unless it complies with the sound requirements specified under the law.
Motorboats must be equipped as specified in the law when in use upon the waterways in the State of Vermont. The statutes do not require the motorboat to be so equipped for sale.
Any time during the registration year, a dealer may request temporary plates and upon the payment of a fee of $ 1.00 per temporary plate, the commissioner shall issue number plates of such material and color as s/he may determine for the temporary accommodation of the registrant.
Any time during the registration year, a dealer may request temporary plates and upon payment of a fee of $ 1.00 per temporary plate, the commissioner shall issue number plates of such material and color as s/he may determine for the temporary accommodation of the registrant.
NOTE: When requesting temporary plates, send the fee and request directly to the attention of the "Dealer Clerk".
Upon the sale or exchange of a snowmobile or motorboat which is to be registered in this state, a dealer may issue to the purchaser, for the attachment to such snowmobile or motorboat, a temporary number plate, provided that the purchaser deposits with such dealer, for transmission to the commissioner, a properly executed application of registration of such snowmobile or motorboat and the proper fees required. The purchaser, if properly licensed, on attaching the temporary plate to the snowmobile or motorboat may operate the same for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days immediately following the purchase. A person shall not operate a snowmobile or motorboat with a temporary number plate except as provided in these regulations.
Upon issuing a temporary number plate to a purchaser for attachment to a snowmobile or motorboat, a dealer shall immediately forward to the commissioner the application fees, deposited with him/her by the purchaser, together with notice of such issue and such other information as the commissioner may require.
Issue plates in numerical sequence starting with the lowest number. Fill out appropriate spaces on plate and on temporary registration certificate (TA-VD-26). Mail registration application, all supporting documents, fees, report of sale, and white copy of form TA-VD-26 to the Department of Motor Vehicles immediately. Issue pink copy of form TA-VD-26 to purchaser. Retain yellow copy of the form TA-VD-26 in dealer records.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
Vehicle must be inspected within 15 days from date of issue, if not currently inspected in Vermont.
NOTE: It is extremely important that the temporary plate number be entered in the space on the temporary registration certificate before issuing the plate to the customer.
In case a temporary plate is made out in error, or the sale is cancelled before the plate is used, maintain ALL copies of the temporary registration certificate and plate, with an explanation for future reference.
All records, temporary plates, voided plates and explanations, certificates and reports of sales will be andited [audited] at least once each year.
SNOWMOBILE
NO TITLE REQUIRED ON SNOWMOBILES
MOTORBOATS
Same as above, except no Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin is required.
If transferring the registrant must submit the signed registration certificate of the previous vessel showing transfer of ownership. If unavailable, use form TA-VR-105, Lost or Unavailable Registration Certificate.
If there is a lien listed on the face of the title, the lien must be released by the lienholder. The previous owner(s) must assign ownership to the dealer; the dealer must assign ownership to the new owner(s). If, there is no space available on the title to transfer ownership, a bill of sale must be used to show the proper chain of ownership and submitted along with the original title.
If the vessel requires title in Vermont but is coming form a non-title state, you must obtain the last registration certificate for that vessel.
If the last registration certificate is not available, you must obtain a certified copy from the state where the vessel was last registered.
If transferring, registrant must submit the registration certificate of the previous vessel showing transfer of ownership. If unavailable, use form TA-VR-105, Lost or Unavailable Registration Certificate.
The Registration, Tax and Title Application must be submitted with the required source documents and fees. Assignment of any Vermont registration can be withheld indefinitely pending compliance with the Vermont motorboat title requirements.
Unless you obtain the previous title from the seller, you CANNOT resell the vessel. Remember, a title is the only negotiable document for the vessel for which it was issued.
Any alterations, erasures, errors or voided transactions on a title will result in unnecessary delays in processing registrations in the Motor Vehicle office. If any of the above occur, you can expedite the transaction by forwarding to the Motor Vehicle office, along with the other documents, a written explanation on Form TA-VN-20, Title/MCO Alteration Affidavit, to clarify the erasure or voided transaction. This explanation must include a complete description of the vessel in question, including the serial or hull identification number.
It is also mandatory that PRIOR to each sale, the previous title be checked against the VIN on the vessel to be positive that the proper documents are being sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The statutes specifically prohibit a dealer from delivering either a new vehicle or a used 1989 or newer vessel without promptly executing the assignment of certificate of origin or the certificate of title and delivering it in the manner prescribed.
When a vessel is sold to be registered out of state, the manufacturer's certificate of origin or certificate of title is to be delivered to the purchaser, after proper assignment by the dealer.
In accordance with 23 V.S.A. § 3806 and 3817, the sale of a vessel to be registered in Vermont requires the submission of documents by the dealer.
When a new vessel is delivered to a purchaser and registration is applied for, or temporary registration is issued, the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin for that vessel must be properly assigned by the dealer and immediately transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles along with the report of sale, application for registration, tax and title and fees.
Effective July 1, 1988 Manufacturer's Certificates of Origin must be printed on security paper which meets the following criteria:
Manufacturer's Certificates of Origin which do not meet these guidelines will not be accepted.
Any alterations, erasures, errors, or voided transactions on the MCO will result in unnecessary delays in processing the registration in the Motor Vehicle office.
If any of the above occur, you can expedite the transaction by forwarding to the Motor Vehicle office, along with the other documents, a written explanation on Form TA-VN-20. Title/MCO Alteration Affidavit, to clarify the erasure or voided entry. This explanation must include a complete description of the vessel in question, including the serial or hull identification number.
It is also mandatory that PRIOR to each sale, the MCO be checked against the HIN on the vessel to be positive that the proper documents are being sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Very often vessels that have consecutive HINs are delivered to the wrong dealers and too often the wrong MCO is sent to this office as a source document to register and title the vessel. This can be avoided if the dealer will take the time to physically examine each particular vessel's HIN and match it to the appropriate MCO.
APPLICATION FOR SNOWMOBION [SNOWMOBILE]/MOTORBOAT REGISTRATION
[See illustration in printed publication.]
All areas must be completed. Do not write in shaded area.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
All areas must be completed. Show vehicle identification number, not motor number, for snowmobiles. For motorboats show hull identification number. If no hull identification number is present, you must make application to the VT Dept. of Motor Vehicles for assignment of a hull identification number. Applications for assignment of hull identification number are available through this Department.
Note: All motorboats manufactured on or after 11/1/72 should have a 12 digit hull identification number. If there is no number present, a VT assigned number must be affixed. (see forms section)
EXAMPLE (Before 8/1/84)
SEAl5602M75B or SEAl56021272
EXAMPLE (After 8/1/84)
SEAl5602G485
[See illustration in printed publication.]
All areas must be completed for motorboat registration. Do not show fractions of inches of length.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
If no Vermont driver's license or Vermont driver's license number is unknown, leave blank.
Application must show both owner's and co-owner's (if applicable) full name, mailing address, date of birth and social security number. If legal residence is different from mailing address or if mailing address is a post office box, you must show legal residence. If no social security number, write "none". If business, use federal ID number in place of social security number.
Married women must show first or given name. Example: Mary Jones, Not Mrs. John Jones.
LIEN HOLDER INFORMATION
[TITLE MOTORBOATS ONLY]
[See illustration in printed publication.]
[See illustration in printed publication.]
All areas must be completed, if applicable.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
Dealer must sign application indicating the tax has been paid to them by the purchaser. The dealer may submit a properly completed S4B form (see form section) and the tax to the Department of Motor Vehicles or the dealer may sign in the appropria [appropriate] box in Section 6A and submit the sales tax directly to the Tax Department.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
All areas must be completed. The application must be accompanied by a Vermont Sales and Use Tax Return (Form S4B), or proof that Vermont Sales and Use Tax has been paid as in 6A or proof of tax paid in another state.
SPECIAL NOTE: SNOWMOBILES:
A Current registration from the state or province of residence shall suffice as proof of payment of the tax referred to above for persons applying for nonresident registration in this state.
MOTORBOATS:
A purchase invoice presented showing a sales tax of 4% or more paid to a dealer in any of the 45 state jurisdictions imposing a sales tax shall suffice. Alaska, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire and Oregon do not have sales and use taxes.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
All areas must be compeleted [completed] if vessel previously titled in another state, HIN verification not required if vessel is sold by Vermont Dealer.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
Enter the registration fee from the fee schedule on the back of the Application for Snowmobile/Motorboat Registration. Enter the amount of tax computed in Section 6B. Enter any transfer fee, if applicable. Enter title and lien fee if applicable. Calculate the total fee due by adding registration, tax, transfer, title and miscellaneous fees. Enter that amount in the total area, and submit a check or money order in only U. S. funds to the "Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles".
The following Vermont Use Tax Return form S4B must be submitted with the application for Snowmobile/Motorboat Registration, or proof that the Vermont Sales and Use Tax has been paid as in 6A, or proof of tax paid in another state. (See Section 6 of the Application for Snowmobile/Motorboat Registration.)
A current registration from the state or province of residence shall suffice as proof of payment of the tax referred to above for persons applying for nonresident registration of a snowmobile in this state.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
| INDEX OF FORMS | FORM NUMBER | |
|
A. |
Application for Snowmobile/Motorboat Title Registration |
TA-VD-37 |
|
B. |
Dealer's Report of Sale |
TA-VD-127 |
|
C. |
Temporary Registration Certificate |
TA-VD-26 |
|
D. |
Vermont Use Tax Return |
S4B |
|
E. |
Dealer's Vehicle Record |
TA-VD-125 |
|
F. |
Manufacturers Certificate of Origin to a Homemade Vessel |
TA-VD-27A |
|
G. |
Application for assigned HIN Hull Identification Number |
TA-VR-07 |
|
H. |
Title Alteration Affidavit |
TA-VN-20 |
Forms are available upon request from:
Agency of Transportation
Department of Motor Vehicles
Attn: STOCKROOM
Montpelier, Vermont 05603-0001
Telephone (802)828-2090
SPECIAL NOTE: Temporary plates are not available from the Stockroom and must be ordered from the Dealer Clerk.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
APPLICATION FOR SNOWMOBILE/MOTORBOAT REGISTRATION
TA-VD-37
[See illustration in printed publication.]
DEALER'S REPORT OF SADE
TA-VD-127
[See illustration in printed publication.]
TEMPORARY REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
TA-VD-26
[See illustration in printed publication.]
VERMONT USE TAX RETURN
S4B
[See illustration in printed publication.]
DEALER'S VEHICLE RECORD
TA-VD-125
[See illustration in printed publication.]
MANUFACTURERS CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN TO A HOMEMADE VESSEL
TA-VD-27a
[See illustration in printed publication.]
APPLICATION FOR ASSIGNED HIN/HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
TA-VR-07
AFFIXING HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The following is an excerpt from 33 C.F.R., Section 181:
If additional information is displayed on the boat within two inches of the hull identification number, that information must be separated from the hull identification number by means of borders or must be on a separate label so that it will not be interpreted as part of the hull identification number.
The primary hull identification number must be affixed:
NOTE: THE HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER MUST BE AFFIXED PRIOR TO OPERATION OF THIS BOAT ON ANY STATE WATERS.
[See illustration in printed publication.]
