22 LAWS & RULES : SNOWMOBILE
For the purpose of this subsection , “ snowmobile trail ” means a trail that is at least wide enough to allow two snowmobiles to pass safely in opposite directions and where the snow over the entire width of the trail has been mechanically packed and groomed for the purpose of snowmobile traffic .
27 . Operating snowmobile in posted area . A person may not operate a snowmobile off 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 if the trail is posted as being closed to off-trail snowmobile operation and the operator has not obtained the permission of the applicable landowner or landowner ’ s representative . For purposes of this subsection , “ posted ” means containing signage that is reasonably likely to come to the attention of a person operating a snowmobile that indicates that off-trail snowmobiling is prohibited and that is placed by the landowner , the landowner ’ s representative , a local snowmobile club trail master serving as the landowner ’ s representative , a local snowmobile club representative or an employee of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the Department of Agriculture , Conservation and Forestry .
§ 13107 – Unlawfully operating vehicle on snowmobile trail
A person may not operate any 4-wheeldrive vehicle , dune buggy , all-terrain vehicle , motorcycle or any other motor vehicle , other than a snowmobile and appurtenant equipment , on snowmobile trails that are financed in whole or in part with funds from the Snowmobile Trail Fund , unless that use has been authorized by the landowner or the landowner ’ s agent , or unless the use is necessitated by an emergency involving safety of persons or property .
Exception : ATV ’ s with tracks , registered as a snowmobile can be operated on a snowmobile trail .
§ 13108 - Liability for damage caused by minors
The owner of a snowmobile , the person who gives or furnishes that snowmobile to a person under 18 years of age and the parent or guardian responsible for the care of that minor are jointly and severally liable with the minor for any damages caused in the operation of the snowmobile by that minor .
§ 13109 – Dealer ’ s registration and license
1 . Application and issuance . A person may not engage in the business of selling new or used snowmobiles in the State unless the person has registered as a dealer and secured a valid dealer ’ s license from the commissioner . A dealer so registered and licensed need not register individual snowmobiles . For the purposes of this subsection , “ new snowmobile ” means a snowmobile that has not been registered in this State or any other state or for which sales tax has not been paid in this State or any other state if that other state taxes the purchase of a new snowmobile .
2 . Fees . The dealer ’ s registration and license fee is $ 15 annually from each July 1st .
3 . Dealer ’ s number plates . Dealer ’ s number plates must be provided and obtained as follows .
A . A registered dealer may receive dealer ’ s number plates . The annual fee for a dealer ’ s number plate is :
( 1 ) For a resident dealer ’ s plate , $ 16 ; and
( 2 ) For a nonresident dealer ’ s plate , $ 60 .
B . Replacement for lost or stolen dealer ’ s number plates may be obtained for a fee of $ 5 for each plate .
C . If a dealer ’ s number plate is lost or stolen , the owner shall notify the commissioner immediately .
4 . Temporary registrations and numbers . The commissioner may issue temporary numbers and registrations for snowmobiles to bona fide dealers who may , upon the sale or exchange of a snowmobile , issue them to new owners in order to allow them to operate snowmobiles for a period of 20 consecutive days after the day of sale in lieu of a permanent number as required by this chapter . The fee for each temporary registration certificate is $ 1 .
5 . Display of dealer ’ s number . Dealers shall display their dealer ’ s number on each snowmobile being used until the sale of the snowmobile , whereupon it becomes the owner ’ s responsibility to register the snowmobile .
§ 13110 – Snowmobile repair shop registration and license
1 . Application and issuance . A person whose business includes repairing snowmobiles but who is not required to be licensed as a snowmobile dealer under section 13109 may register that business entity as a snowmobile repair shop and secure a snowmobile repair shop license and number plate from the commissioner .
2 . Fee . The commissioner shall set the fee for a snowmobile repair shop license . The fee may not exceed $ 15 for any 12-month period .
3 . Field testing repairs on unregistered snowmobiles . The owner of a snowmobile repair shop licensed under this section may operate or allow the operation of an unregistered snowmobile for the purpose of field testing repairs to that snowmobile if :
A . Valid snowmobile repair shop number plates issued under this section are affixed to the snowmobile during the field test ; and
B . The snowmobile is not owned by the snowmobile repair shop or any person employed by the snowmobile repair shop .
Operating an unregistered snowmobile in compliance with this subsection is not a violation of section 13104 , subsection 1 .
§ 13111 – Snowmobile rental agent certificate
1 . Registration and issuance . Except as provided in this section , a person or business may not rent or lease a snowmobile unless that person or business :
A . Registers with the department as a snowmobile rental agent and is issued a snowmobile rental agent certificate from the commissioner ;
B . Obtains a Maine certificate of number for each snowmobile being offered for rent or lease in the name of the person or business holding that certificate ; and
C . Instructs each person who rents or leases a snowmobile how to operate the snowmobile , including how to use the brake , throttle and kill switch , and provides to that person a pamphlet describing proper hand signals .
2 . Exception ; guides . This section does not apply to a person lawfully engaged in guiding activities under section 12853 who accompanies others on guided trips that include the use of snowmobiles , except that such a person must provide the operators of snowmobiles with instructions equivalent to those described in subsection 1 , paragraph C .
3 . Fee . The fee for a snowmobile rental agent certificate is $ 25 . The certificate is valid from July 1st to June 30th .
2023-24 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES ATV & SNOWMOBILE