“Except as otherwise provided in this part, a snowmobile must not be operated unless the owner first obtains a certificate of registration and a registration decal.” MCL 324.82103(1). “The certificate of registration must be secured at the time of purchase or transfer of ownership.” Id.
“The certificate of registration and registration decal authorizes the operation of the snowmobile for a 3-year period that begins on October 1 and expires on September 30 of the third year.” MCL 324.82105(3). “The certificate of registration and registration decal may be renewed beginning July 1 of the expiration year by payment of a fee of $30.00.” Id. “The registration decal shall be displayed as prescribed by rule promulgated by the department of state.” Id. “The person shall make the certificate of registration available for inspection upon demand by a peace officer.” MCL 324.82105(1).
“The owner of a snowmobile having been issued a certificate of registration for the snowmobile shall affix to each side of the forward half of the cowl above the footwell of the snowmobile the registration decal assigned to that snowmobile.” MCL 324.82113(1). “The registration decal shall be as prescribed by the [DNR].” Id.
“The department of state may cancel, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue a snowmobile registration if any of the following occur:
(a) The applicant has failed to furnish all required information or reasonable additional information requested by the department of state.
(b) The required fees have not been paid.
(c) The applicant is not entitled to a snowmobile registration under [MCL 324.82101 et seq.]
(d) The department of state issued the registration in error.
(e) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement.
(f) The department of state has reasonable grounds to believe that the snowmobile was stolen or embezzled.” MCL 324.82105b.
“A person who is convicted of a violation of [MCL 324.82103] shall be fined not more than $50.00.” MCL 324.82103(2). In addition, the person may also be subject to imprisonment for not more than 90 days. See MCL 324.82133; MCL 750.504. However, “[a]n individual who violates [MCL 324.82113 or MCL 324.82114(1)] for a first time is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $150.00.” MCL 324.82133(2) and (3).
Committee Tip: The penalty provision of the registration statute uses the term “convicted” but does not specify whether the fine is a civil fine or a criminal fine. As a result, the DNR has concluded that a violation of this statute is a criminal offense, rather than a civil infraction. By comparison, the penalty provision for the snowmobile trail permit statute specifically states that a violation of that statute is a state civil infraction. See Section 3.18.
1.Snowmobile Operated on Owner’s Land or in Safety Program
“A certificate of registration or a registration decal is not required for a snowmobile operated exclusively on lands owned or under the control of the snowmobile owner or for a snowmobile used entirely in a safety education and training program conducted by a certified snowmobile safety instructor and authorized under [MCL 324.82108].” MCL 324.82103(1).
2.Snowmobile Operated in Special Events of Limited Duration
“A certificate of registration or a registration decal is not required for a snowmobile that is exclusively operated in a special event of limited duration conducted according to a prearranged schedule under a permit from the governmental unit having jurisdiction.” MCL 324.82104.
3.Historic Snowmobiles
“The secretary of state may issue to the owner of a historic snowmobile a historic snowmobile registration decal which shall bear the inscription ‘historic snowmobile - Michigan’ and the registration number.” MCL 324.82105c(1). “The registration decal shall be affixed 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 of the historic snowmobile.” Id.
“The owner of a historic snowmobile applying for a historic snowmobile registration decal under [MCL 324.82105c] shall pay a fee of $50.00 and shall certify that the snowmobile for which the registration is requested is owned and operated solely as a historic snowmobile.” MCL 324.82105c(2).
“A registration issued under [MCL 324.82105c] is valid for the period the historic snowmobile is owned by the owner and is nontransferable.” MCL 324.82105c(3).
“The secretary of state may revoke a registration decal issued under [MCL 324.82105c], for cause shown and after a hearing, for failure of the applicant to comply with [MCL 324.82105c] or for use of the snowmobile for which the registration was issued for purposes other than those enumerated in [MCL 324.82101(i)1].” MCL 324.82105c(4).
“A historic snowmobile registered under [MCL 324.82105c] is exempt from registration under [MCL 324.82105].” MCL 324.82105c(5).
“The secretary of state may promulgate rules to implement [MCL 324.82105c].” MCL 324.82105c(6).