This question is getting batted around on another site. Does an atv on the ice need to be registered in CT, or does reciprocity with NY, VT and PA registered atv's make them legal. A fellow said he was ticketed with a VT registered atv on Candlewood a couple years back. My read of the DMV registration regulations leads me to believe the three states (NY,VT,PA) registrations should be valid in CT, as should a CT registered atv in those states. I know NY accepts my CT registration as I have been checked many times on NY lakes. I should add that my buddy from PA wants to come out and fish CT, his atv is registered in PA, is he good to go?
EnCon Police Moderator
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 3899
The way the law is written if another state recognizes our ATV/snowmobile registration we will recognize theirs. (It's called reciprocity)
That being said, if you are a CT resident and you have an ATV/snowmobile registered in PA/NY/VT you can't legally operate it in CT as state laws requires that if you are a CT resident the vehicle must be registered here.
Sec. 14-380. Operation prohibited without valid registration. Exceptions. On or after October 1, 1971, no person shall operate and no owner shall permit the operation of any snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle unless the owner holds a valid, effective registration awarded by this state or by another state or by the United States, provided such state or district of registration grants substantially similar privileges for snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles owned by residents of this state and registered under its laws, and unless the identification number set forth in such registration is displayed on such snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle as prescribed in section 14-381, provided every resident of this state shall obtain such registration from this state under the provisions of section 14-381, before such operation shall be lawful. The provisions of this section shall not apply (1) to the operation of a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle on premises owned or leased by the owner of such snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle or (2) to the operation of a snowmobile in any organized contest as long as such snowmobile is operated in the contest area, provided the owner of such snowmobile holds a valid, effective registration awarded by this state or by another state or the United States.
(1969, P.A. 752, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 848, S. 4; 857, S. 1; P.A. 76-202, S. 1, 2; P.A. 80-102.)
History: 1971 acts changed date when registration required from October 1, 1969, to October 1, 1971, included all-terrain vehicles in provisions and specified how registration number to be displayed; P.A. 76-202 exempted snowmobiles operated in organized contests from provisions under certain conditions; P.A. 80-102 replaced display specifications with requirement that number be displayed "as prescribed in section 14-381".
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