ATV registrations now required for 2020-2021

4 years ago

AUGUSTA, Maine — An amended executive order by Gov. Janet Mills has lifted the interim suspension for ATV registrations, and ATV owners must now register or renew registrations for 2020-2021 

ATV registrations are valid for 12 months, July 1 to June 30, and easy registration renewals are available online at moses.informe.org/online/atv_snow/index.htm

New registrations must occur through a registration agent or the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife main office in Augusta. Riders unable to register an ATV online or at a town office should call (207) 287-8000.

ATV registration fees provide the funding to build and maintain Maine’s trail system and support ATV clubs and volunteers who provide the critical work to maintain trails systems. Annual registration also assists private landowners who allow trail access. Riders are encouraged to remember that without the use of private land, most trails would not exist. The ability to ride is a privilege granted by the landowner, and all riders must respect their wishes and treat private land as if it were their own. 

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry offers these tips for ATV riders.

Never drink and ride.

Stay on marked ATV trails (ATV trails have green and white signs. Not all snowmobile trails are ATV trails).  

Drive to the right and at an appropriate speed.

Tread lightly — don’t tear up the trail.

Remember that modified exhausts are illegal.

Be respectful of ATV access routes – yield to all traffic and never pass a vehicle.

Overcrowding can make recreation experiences less enjoyable and negatively impact the ecology of the wonderful parks and lands we all share. And with social distancing being so important to public health, overcrowding also risks your health and the health of our communities. 

Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to avoid overcrowding recreation destinations.

One step to combat crowding is to seek out lesser-known, less heavily visited destinations. 

Visit on the traditionally less busy days: Monday through Thursday. If it safely suits your activity, consider a visit earlier or later in the day. 

Make a back-up plan in case your first choice of location or activity is crowded or full.

Learn about Leave No Trace skills and ethics to better prepare for minimizing your impacts and staying safe.

Maine ATV clubs support trail maintenance and management. Joining a club is a great way to learn about riding opportunities and to give back to the trails. To learn more, visit www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/trail_activities/atv/clubs.shtml.