ATV Registration, Titling, and Insurance
Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources requires all ATVs and Snowmobiles to be registered and titled. Money used for these registrations is used to provide funding to administer the program, maintain trails on DCNR-managed forests, provide grants to profit and non-profit organizations for developing additional riding opportunities in the commonwealth.
The type of registration you need depends on where you plan to ride your ATV: General Registration — This registration permits the ATV to be operated off the owner or operator’s private property. You will receive a registration plate, an expiration sticker, and a Certificate of Registration wallet card.
Limited Registration — This registration is for ATVs used exclusively on the property of the owner. The owner is provided with a registration plate and a card, but no expiration sticker.
In Pennsylvania, registration is not required for: • ATVs used exclusively as utility vehicles for agricultural or business operations • ATVs owned by nonresidents covered by a valid registration in their state, province, or country that honors Pennsylvania registration • ATVs owned and used by a federal, state, or local government body • ATVs owned by a dealer who has been issued a dealer registration certificate and used only in connection with the dealer’s business
Registration Plate/Stickers
When you register your ATV, you will be issued a registration plate for your vehicle. An expiration sticker to be affixed to the plate will be issued for general registrations. This registration plate shall be securely attached to the upper half of the rear of the ATV. No part of the plate shall be in line with a tire
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ATV Titles
All ATVs in Pennsylvania must have a title issued by DCNR. The cost of a title is $22.50. The exceptions to this requirement are for:
- ATVs registered with DCNR prior to February 12, 1987 — these ATVs do not require a title until they are sold by the owner
- ATVs used exclusively as utility vehicles for agricultural or business operations
- ATVs owned and used by a federal, state, or local government body
- ATVs owned by a dealer before and until sale
- ATVs owned by a nonresident
- ATVs owned by a Pennsylvania resident, but registered and used in another state
ATV Title/Registration Transfers
If you are transferring the title of your ATV to a new owner, complete the assignment on the back of the certificate of title and obtain notarization.
The new owner must then apply for a new certificate of title and registration in his/her name. Do not remove the registration decal or plate from the machine.
Registration cannot be transferred from one owner to the next. If you no longer need registration because you have disposed of your vehicle in some way, complete the reverse side of your certificate of registration indicating the disposition status and listing buyer’s name (if applicable), sign, date and return to DCNR within 15 days of disposition.
You may request the remaining months of your current registration be applied to a new registration of another vehicle that you have acquired. The fee for this transaction is $5.