News
Posted: 11/09/2017
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The New York State Snowmobile Registration Fee
The other day I got a note from someone
regarding our New York State Snowmobile
Registration fee that made me think that it
would be worth repeating some information
regarding our registration fees, where they go,
and what parts of the snowmobile program
they support.
A NY snowmobile registration costs $100
per year. That fee is discounted to $45 per year
if you are a member of a snowmobile club
within the NYSSA network. All clubs which
maintain trails and a few social clubs (legacy
clubs) are part of the NYSSA network and your
club membership will provide you with a voucher which qualifies you for the discount. Unlike Vermont - but
similar to New Hampshire and Maine, all trail maintenance funds are derived from the registration fees paid.
It takes the place of a “Trail Pass” which is what is used in Vermont. In Vermont you must also join a club.
All money from the NY registration except $5 goes into the Snowmobile Trail Fund. NYSSA worked hard to
have the money the state keeps from each registration reduced beginning in October of 2016.
Last season (16-17), $5.1 million
was transferred into the Snowmobile Trail Fund including approximately $473,000
that was attributable to the additional $5 which came through NYSSA’s efforts to reduce what the state kept for itself.
Last season more than $3.5 million
was distributed to municipal sponsors who in turn distributed those
funds to clubs who could demonstrate that they expended those monies on trail related maintenance work. $150,000
was set aside to provide local village, town and county law enforcement with reimbursement
funds to assist with local law enforcement. The statewide Liability Insurance Policy, approximately $265,000,
is administered and purchased through the Trail Fund. Finally, the state dedicates a portion of
the funds to the state’s administration of the snowmobile program by supporting three staff positions at NYS
OPRHP and their ancillary costs. Any funds remaining stay in the Trail Fund for use the following year.
In addition to the Trail Fund, only one other program administered by the state directly supports the club
who do trail maintenance work. That is the Recreational Trail Grant Program or RTP for short. At least 30%
of those funds must support motorized recreation and many grants have been awarded over the years for clubs to buy groomers.
When you register your sled you should take satisfaction in knowing that your registration fee is benefitting you way more
than it benefits the state.
Please register!
What Snowmobile Registration costs a resident in some other North East States:
Vermont:
If you were a resident of the state you would find your snowmobile registration rather inexpensive ($25) but your trail pass will cost $105-$135 plus a club membership.
New Hampshire:
Charges a resident $66 if you are a club member,
more if you are not a club member and more
if you are not a resident. They collect their trail fees
through the registration.
Maine:
Charges its residents $45 for a registration and you need not join a club.
They enhance their trail fund by dedicating a small portion of the Highway Fuel Tax.