LAWS & RULES : SNOWMOBILE 21 constructed , regardless of the date of manufacture .
A snowmobile manufactured on or before October 1 , 1973 is not subject to a specific noise level , except that a person may not operate a snowmobile modified in violation of subparagraph ( 3 .
15 . Snowmobile headlight and taillight equipment requirements . Except as provided in section 13112 , a person may not operate a snowmobile that is not equipped as provided in this subsection .
A . A person may not operate a snowmobile unless the snowmobile has mounted :
( 1 ) On the front at least one headlight capable of casting a white beam for a distance of at least 100 feet directly ahead of the snowmobile ; and
( 2 ) On the rear at least one taillight capable of displaying a red light visible at a distance of at least 100 feet behind the snowmobile .
16 . Required use of snowmobile lights . Except as provided in section 13112 , a person shall use lights as specified in this subsection .
A . A person shall use snowmobile lights :
( 1 ) During the period from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise ; and
( 2 ) At any time when , due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions caused by fog or otherwise , other persons , vehicles and other objects are not clearly discernible for a distance of 500 feet ahead .
17 . Unlawfully operating snowmobile on railroad tracks . The following provisions govern the operation of a snowmobile on railroad tracks or railroad rights-of-way .
A . A person may not operate a snowmobile along or adjacent and parallel to the tracks of a railroad within the limits of a railroad right-of-way without written permission from the railroad owning the right-ofway .
B . A person may not operate a snowmobile across the tracks of a railroad after having been forbidden to do so by the railroad owning the railroad right-of-way , or by an agent of that railroad , either personally or by appropriate notices posted conspicuously along the railroad right-ofway .
C . Notwithstanding this subsection , a person may operate a snowmobile on railroad tracks if the person is operating within the right-of-way of a portion of railroad line that has been officially abandoned under the authority of the Interstate Commerce Commission .
18 . Operating snowmobile in cemetery . A person may not operate a snowmobile in any cemetery , burial place or burying ground .
19 . Operating too close to certain buildings . A person may not operate a snowmobile within 200 feet of a dwelling , hospital , nursing home , convalescent home or church .
A . This subsection does not apply when a person is operating a snowmobile :
( 1 ) On public ways in accordance with subsections 5 and 8 or on controlled access highways in accordance with subsection 3 , paragraph A ;
( 2 ) On the frozen surface of any body of water ; and
( 3 ) On land the operator owns or is permitted to use .
20 . Abuse of another person ’ s property . A person may not , while operating a snowmobile :
A . Tear down or destroy a fence or wall on another person ’ s land ;
B . Leave open a gate or bar on another person ’ s land ; or
C . Trample or destroy crops on another person ’ s land .
21 . Snowmobile owner ; operation by another . A person is in violation of this subsection if that person is the owner of a snowmobile that is operated in violation of this chapter .
22 . Parent or guardian ; operation by minor . A person is in violation of this subsection if that person is the parent or guardian responsible for the care of a minor under 18 years of age who is operating a snowmobile in violation of this chapter .
23 . Repealed
24 . Operating snowmobile on open water . A person may not operate or attempt to operate a snowmobile on open water . For purposes of this subsection , “ open water ” means any area of an inland water body that is free of ice and snow . This subsection does not apply to private ponds .
Notwithstanding Title 17 , section 2267-A , subsection 3 , the owner or operator of a snowmobile that has been submerged or partially submerged as a result of a violation of this subsection shall remove the snowmobile within 24 hours of its submersion . The owner or operator of a snowmobile submerged or partially submerged as a result of a violation of this subsection shall pay any damages resulting from the submersion or removal . If the owner or operator of a snowmobile submerged or partially submerged as the result of a violation of this subsection fails to remove the snowmobile within 24 hours of its submersion , the commissioner may remove the snowmobile at the expense of the owner or operator or request in writing that the court direct the owner or operator to remove the snowmobile immediately .
25 . Headgear required . This subsection applies to snowmobile trails funded by the Snowmobile Trail Fund of the Department of Agriculture , Conservation and Forestry , Bureau of Parks & Lands .
A . A person operating a snowmobile on a snowmobile trail identified by the Department of Agriculture , Conservation and Forestry , Bureau of Parks and Lands as having been funded by the Snowmobile Trail Fund pursuant to section 1893 , subsection 3 :
( 1 ) If the person is under 18 years of age , shall wear protective headgear that conforms to the standards established under Title 29-A , section 2083 , subsection 3 ; and
( 2 ) May not carry a passenger under 18 years of age on the snowmobile unless the passenger is wearing protective headgear that conforms to the standards established under Title 29-A , section 2083 , subsection 3 .
B . The Department of Agriculture , Conservation and Forestry , Bureau of Parks and Lands shall develop an administratively simple means of identifying trails that have been funded by the Snowmobile Trail Fund so that snowmobile riders can readily determine to which trails this subsection applies .
26 . Operating snowmobile left of center of snowmobile trail . A person may not operate a snowmobile to the left of the center on a snowmobile trail that is funded in whole or in part by the Snowmobile Trail Fund when approaching or navigating a curve , corner , grade , or hill .
2023-24 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES ATV & SNOWMOBILE