CHAPTER 51. SNOWMOBILE AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND OPERATION
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
51.1. Definitions.
51.2. Authority.
REGISTRATION AND TITLING
51.11. [Reserved].
51.12. Applications for title and registration.
51.13. Display of registration decals, registration plates and expiration stickers.
51.14. [Reserved].
51.15. Replacement of registration certificates, limited registration certificates, registration decals, registration plates and expiration stickers.
51.16. [Reserved].
51.17. [Reserved].
51.18. Change of address.
51.19. Snowmobile or ATV owned by United States, another state or political subdivision.
51.21. [Reserved].
51.22. [Reserved].
DEALERS
51.31. [Reserved].
51.32. Display of registration plates.
51.33. [Reserved].
51.34. [Reserved].
51.35. Sanctions for violations by dealers.
FEES
51.41—51.44. [Reserved].
51.45. Fees for additional dealer plates.
51.46. [Reserved].
SAFETY TRAINING
51.51. Safety training.
51.52. [Reserved].
51.53. [Reserved].
51.54. Safety certificates.
ACCIDENT REPORTS
51.61. [Reserved].
51.62. [Reserved].
51.63. Accident reports.
51.71—51.76. [Reserved].
DESIGNATING SNOWMOBILE OR ATV ROADS
51.81. [Reserved].
51.82. Barricades for snowmobile or ATV roads.
51.83. Posting signs for snowmobile or ATV roads.
EQUIPMENT
51.91. Snowmobile sound level requirements.
51.92. ATV sound level requirements.
51.93. Helmet requirements.
51.94—51.96. [Reserved].Authority The provisions of this Chapter 51 issued under the Snowmobile and All-Terrain Vehicle Law, 75 Pa.C.S. § 7751, unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 51 adopted November 23, 1973, 3 Pa.B. 2726; amended June 20, 1986, effective June 21, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 2213; renumbered from 25 Pa. Code Chapter 195, 26 Pa.B. 2709; amended September 19, 2003, effective September 20, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 4669, unless otherwise noted. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (217159) to (217172).
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 51.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
ATV—An all-terrain vehicle as defined in section 7702 of the Vehicle Code (relating to definitions).
Dealer—A dealer as defined in section 7702 of the Vehicle Code.
Person—A natural person, corporation, association, partnership, receiver, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, fiduciary or other representative and a department, agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth, or a governmental subdivision of the Commonwealth.
Snowmobile—A snowmobile as defined in section 7702 of the Vehicle Code.
Vehicle Code—Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to vehicles).
§ 51.2. Authority.
This chapter is adopted by the Department under section 7704 of the Vehicle Code (relating to rules and regulations) and applies to persons subject to Chapter 77 of the Vehicle Code (relating to snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles).
REGISTRATION AND TITLING
§ 51.11. [Reserved].
§ 51.12. Applications for title and registration.
(a) Contents of application. An application for a certificate of title and registration shall include the following on an application form furnished by the Department:
(1) The name, address and county of the residence of owner.
(2) The make, model, year, serial number of the vehicle.
(3) The date of purchase and the purchase price.
(4) A security interest, if applicable.
(5) A designation of whether the vehicle is a snowmobile, Class I ATV or Class II ATV under section 7702 of the Vehicle Code (relating to definitions).
(6) A designation of type of registration under section 7711.1 or section 7711.2 of the Vehicle Code (relating to registration of snowmobile or ATV; and limited registration of snowmobile or ATV).
(7) The amount of Sales Tax due, if any.
(8) The amount of applicable fees under section 7715.2 of the Vehicle Code (relating to fees).
(9) The registration number issued by the dealer, the date issued and the dealer registration number.
(b) Proof of vehicle identification number (VIN); fees. The following shall be included with the completed application submitted to the Department:
(1) Proof acceptable to the Department of the VIN. Acceptable proof includes any of the following:
(i) Manufacturer’s statement of origin.
(ii) Sales receipt.
(iii) A tracing, rubbing or mechanic’s certification of the VIN.
(2) Payment of applicable Sales Tax.
(3) Payment of applicable fees under section 7715.2 of the Vehicle Code.
§ 51.13. Display of registration decals, registration plates and expiration stickers.
(a) Snowmobiles.
(1) Registration decals. Two valid registration decals shall be affixed to the snowmobile forward of the handle bars, one on each side of the cowling, or one on the outside of each trailing edge of the windshield.
(2) Expiration stickers. Two valid expiration stickers shall be affixed to the snowmobile, each sticker to the immediate right of a registration decal. This requirement does not apply to snowmobiles with limited registration.
(b) ATVs.
(1) Registration plate. A valid registration plate shall be displayed on the upper half of the rear of the ATV in the following manner:
(i) Securely attached. It is not a violation of this section to attach the plate in such a manner that it can swing.
(ii) So that no part of the plate is in line with a tire.
(iii) So that the information on the plate, including any required stickers, is clearly visible from behind the ATV.
(2) Temporary registration sticker. For ATVs with temporary registration, a valid temporary registration sticker shall be affixed to a lower corner of the registration plate.
(3) Expiration sticker. A valid expiration sticker shall be affixed to a lower corner of the registration plate. This requirement does not apply to ATVs with a valid temporary registration sticker or with limited registration.
§ 51.14. [Reserved].
§ 51.15. Replacement of registration certificates, limited registration certificates, registration decals, registration plates and expiration stickers.
A replacement of a registration certificate, limited registration certificate, registration decal, registration plate or expiration sticker will be issued upon application by the owner on a request for changes/replacements application form furnished by the Department and payment of the fee required under section 7715.2 of the Vehicle Code (relating to fees). cation by the owner on a request for changes/replacements application form furnished by the Department and payment of the fee required under section 7715.2 of the Vehicle Code (relating to fees).
§ 51.16. [Reserved].
§ 51.17. [Reserved].
§ 51.18. Change of address.
The owner shall notify the Department of a change of address within 15 days.
§ 51.19. Snowmobile or ATV owned by United States, another state or political subdivision.
If a snowmobile or ATV is exempt from registration under section 7711.1(f)(2) of the Vehicle Code (relating to registration of snowmobile or ATV) because it is owned and used by the United States or another state or political subdivision, the name of the owner shall be displayed on the cowling or windshield of the snowmobile and in a conspicuous location on the ATV.
§ 51.21. [Reserved].
§ 51.22. [Reserved].
DEALERS
§ 51.31. [Reserved].
§ 51.32. Display of registration plates.
Dealer registration plates required under section 7711 of the Vehicle Code (relating to registration of dealers) shall be displayed as follows:
(1) Snowmobile. Two plates shall be displayed on the snowmobile, one on the inside of each trailing edge of the windshield.
(2) ATV. The plate shall be displayed on the upper half of the rear of the ATV in the following manner:
(i) The plate shall be securely attached. It is not a violation of this section to attach the plate so that it can swing.
(ii) So that no part of the plate is in line with a tire.
(iii) So that the information on the plate is clearly visible from behind the ATV.
§ 51.33. [Reserved].
§ 51.34. [Reserved].
§ 51.35. Sanctions for violations by dealers.
(a) Sanctions. A dealer who has failed to forward documents required by section 7712.2(c) or section 7715.1(a) of the Vehicle Code (relating to transfer to or from dealer; and snowmobile or ATV purchased from dealer) to the Department within 15 days or who has submitted to the Department documents accompanied by uncollectable checks drawn on the account of the dealer, is subject to the following sanctions after receiving written notice and an opportunity for a hearing:
(1) First violation. Suspension of dealer registration until the documents are submitted or checks are paid.
(2) Second violation. Suspension of dealer registration until the documents are submitted or checks are paid, plus 3 months suspension.
(3) Third violation. Suspension of dealer registration until the documents are submitted or checks are paid, plus 6 months suspension.
(4) Fourth and subsequent violation. Revocation of dealer registration.
(b) Second and subsequent violations. Second violations are determined on the basis of a previous violation under this section committed within a 3-year period. Third or subsequent violations are determined on the basis of two or more previous violations committed within a 3-year period.
(c) Multiple violations. In the case of multiple violations considered at one time, the Department may impose separate sanctions for each violation under the schedule in subsection (a). The Department may direct that a suspension imposed be applied concurrently or consecutively.
(d) Revocation. Upon revocation of a dealer’s registration, the dealer will be debarred from applying for a new registration for 1 year.
(e) Effective date of suspension or revocation. A suspension or revocation of dealer registration shall take effect on the date ordered by the Department.
(f) Return of dealer certificate, plates and cards.
(1) Within 3 days of the effective date of a suspension or revocation of dealer registration, a dealer shall return to the Department the registration certificate, the registration plates and the registration cards that had been issued to the dealer by the Department.
(2) A dealer who fails to comply with paragraph (1) is subject to an addition of 3 months to the suspension imposed under subsection (a) or the revocation imposed under subsection (d).
(g) Hearings. The provisions in 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure) apply to hearings under this section.
FEES
§ 51.41—51.44. [Reserved].
§ 51.45. Fees for additional dealer plates.
The fee for each set of two additional snowmobile dealer plates is $5. The fee for each additional ATV dealer plate is $10.
§ 51.46. [Reserved].
SAFETY TRAINING
§ 51.51. Safety training.
Safety training required by section 7725 of the Vehicle Code (relating to operation by persons under age sixteen) shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Training shall be conducted by instructors or organizations that have been approved by the Department. An application for approval and a list of approved instructors and organizations may be obtained from the Department’s Bureau of Forestry.
(2) Training shall be based on a curriculum and manual approved by the Department, which include the following: machine nomenclature, control familiarization, machine safety features, operating procedures, snowmobile or ATV laws and regulations, proper clothing, safety equipment, emergency situations, first aid and written tests.
Cross References This section cited in 17 Pa. Code § 51.54 (relating to safety certificates).
§ 51.52. [Reserved].
§ 51.53. [Reserved].
§ 51.54. Safety certificates.
(a) The instructor or organization that conducted the training in accordance with § 51.51 (relating to safety training) shall submit to the Department the name, address and date of birth of each student who successfully completed the training.
(b) The Department will issue a snowmobile or ATV safety certificate to the students whose names were submitted in accordance with subsection (a). Persons under 10 years of age or over 15 years of age are not eligible for a safety certificate.
(c) The Department will honor, in lieu of a safety certificate issued under subsection (b), a safety certificate issued to a child who is a resident of another state or a province of Canada if the certificate was issued or is recognized by the state or province under a program deemed by the Department to be comparable to the Department’s safety training program. The certificate will satisfy the requirements of section 7725 of the Vehicle Code (relating to operation by persons under age sixteen).
ACCIDENT REPORTING
§ 51.61. [Reserved].
§ 51.62. [Reserved].
§ 51.63. Accident reports.
A written report of an accident required by section 7728 of the Vehicle Code (relating to accidents and accident reports) shall contain the following information:
(1) The registration number, make, model and year of each vehicle involved.
(2) The date, time and location of the accident.
(3) The name, address and age of each vehicle operator, passenger and witness.
(4) The training and number of years of driving experience of the snowmobile or ATV operator.
(5) The name and address of the owner of the property where the accident occurred.
(6) A description of the accident.
(7) The weather and ground conditions at the time of the accident.
(8) The name, address and age of any person injured or killed in the accident.
(9) The nature and extent of any injuries.
(10) A description and estimate of damage to property, including vehicles.
§ 51.71—51.76. [Reserved].
DESIGNATING SNOWMOBILE OR ATV ROADS
§ 51.81. [Reserved].
§ 51.82. Barricades for snowmobile or ATV roads.
Streets and highways posted as exclusive snowmobile or ATV roads under section 7722 of the Vehicle Code (relating to designation of snowmobile and ATV roads) shall be barricaded in the following manner:
(1) At the beginning of the section of the street or highway so posted and at each intersecting street and highway.
(2) With Type III barricades which shall conform to the standards of PennDOT Publication 90, Handbook for Work Area Traffic Control, except as follows:
(i) The barricade rails shall be alternate red and white stripes.
(ii) The entire area of red and white shall be reflectorized with Class I reflective sheeting approved for use in this Commonwealth by the Department of Transportation.
(3) A Department of Transportation approved Type B flasher shall be attached to the top rail of each barricade or a ‘‘ROAD CLOSED AHEAD’’ sign shall be placed in advance of the barricade.
(4) Each barricade will be posted with an official ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD CLOSED TO ALL OTHER VEHICLES’’ or ‘‘ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE ROAD CLOSED TO ALL OTHER VEHICLES’’ sign.
(5) Signs shall conform to the requirements of 67 Pa. Code Chapter 211 (relating to official traffic control devices).
§ 51.83. Posting signs for snowmobile or ATV roads.
(a) A street or highway which has been posted as a snowmobile or ATV road allowing both snowmobiles or ATVs and other vehicular traffic under section 7722 of the Vehicle Code (relating to designation of snowmobile and ATV roads) shall be posted in the following manner:
(1) An official ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD’’ or ‘‘ATV ROAD’’ sign shall be used and shall conform to 67 Pa. Code Chapter 211 (relating to official traffic control devices).
(2) The ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD’’ or ‘‘ATV ROAD’’ sign shall be installed on the right side of the street or highway at the beginning of the posted snowmobile or ATV road and on the right side of the snowmobile or ATV road within 100 feet beyond each intersecting street or highway and at locations thereafter which will afford notice to all users of the road that it is a snowmobile or ATV road.
(3) The ‘‘END’’ plaque shall be used in conjunction with the ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD’’ or ‘‘ATV ROAD’’ sign to indicate the end of a posted snowmobile or ATV road.
(b) On each street and highway intersecting the posted snowmobile or ATV road, an official ‘‘SNOWMOBILE CROSSING’’ or ‘‘ATV CROSSING’’ sign may be installed on each approach of the intersecting street or highway. Signs shall conform to the requirements of 67 Pa. Code Chapter 211. EQUIPMENT
§ 51.91. Snowmobile sound level requirements.
(a) It is unlawful to operate a snowmobile that produces a sound intensity exceeding 78 decibels at 50 feet on the A scale as measured in accordance with SAE Recommended Practice J-192a.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), it is unlawful to operate a snowmobile unless its exhaust system displays an authentic ‘‘SSCC’’ (Snowmobile Safety Certification Committee) stamp.
(c) If the exhaust system of a snowmobile lacks an authentic ‘‘SSCC’’ stamp, the operator, upon the request of a person having authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter, shall produce alternate proof, acceptable to the Department, that the sound intensity, when measured according to the standards in subsection (a), does not exceed the level in subsection (a). Proof acceptable to the Department includes certification by the SSCC or by a competent independent testing laboratory.
§ 51.92. ATV sound level requirements.
It is unlawful to operate an ATV in this Commonwealth that produces a sound level in excess of 99 dbA, or decibels, when measured at 20 inches in accordance with American National Standards Institute/Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J 1287 (March 1982).
§ 51.93. Helmet requirements.
No person may operate a snowmobile or ATV without a securely fastened helmet on the head of each individual who operates or is a passenger on a snowmobile or ATV. The helmet shall meet the standards and specifications as established by the Department of Transportation for protective headgear for motorcycle riders at 67 Pa. Code Chapter 107 (relating to motorcycle helmets).
§ 51.94—51.96. [Reserved].
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.
This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Code full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
