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Recreational vehicles and watercraft

Recreational vehicles and watercraft

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Watercraft decal

Moped decal

Moped license

Registration

Recreational vehicles and watercraft are registered in Michigan, unless exempt. Some must also be titled.  

Watercraft

  • Registrations issued for three years. 
  • Expire March 31 of the third year. 
  • Titles required for: 
    • Boats 20 ft. or longer 
    • Any boat with an engine 
  • No title required for vessels issued U.S. Coast Guard Certificates of Documentation. 

Watercraft decal

Sailboat

Snowmobiles

  • Registrations issued for three years. 
  • Expires Sept. 30 of the third year. 
  • Trail permits issued by the Department of Natural Resources 
  • Not required to be titled

Snowmobile decal

Go to Online Services

Snowmobile

Mopeds

  • Registrations issued for three years. 
  • Expires April 30 of the third year.  
  • Not titled.  

Moped decal

Moped license

Moped

ORVs

  • Titles issued for Off-road vehicles (ORVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road motorcycles (dirt bikes/trail bikes). 
  • Decals and trail permits issued by Department of Natural Resources. 

Go to Online Services

Four wheeler

Trailers

  • Trailers
    • Permanent trailer plate never expires. 
    • Plate fee determined empty weight. 
    • 2,500lbs or more must be titled.  
  • Trailer coaches 
    • Pop-up campers, fifth wheels and travel trailers. 
    • Permanent trailer plate never expires. 
    • Plate fee determined empty weight. 
    • Titled.  

Schedule an office visit

Trailer

Watercraft (Choose tab)

  • Only required for watercrafts are: 
    • 20 feet or longer 
    • Have a permanently affixed engine (inboard motor) regardless of length 

Selling a watercraft: 

  • You will need to sign the title to transfer ownership.  

Lost or damaged title 

  • Option 1 – Order a duplicate online through your online Secretary of State account or by mail, if you don’t live in Michigan.  
  • Option 2 – The seller and buyer appear together at a Secretary of State office with: 
    • proof of the hull identification number. 
    • lien termination statement 
    • A record of the current title is on the Secretary of State's computer system. 
  • Watercraft title: $5
  • Instant title: $5

All watercraft must be registered, except for: 

  • Watercraft 16 feet or shorter, propelled by oars or paddles, and not used for rental or commercial purposes. 
  • Nonmotorized canoes and kayaks not used for rental or commercial purposes, rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats, regardless of length. 
  • Watercraft registered in another state and used only temporarily in Michigan.

To register your watercraft: 

  • Visit a Secretary of State office with: 
    • your license or ID 
    • Proof of ownership, including one or more of the following: 
    • The previous registration for the watercraft, with the seller’s signature 
    • A bill of sale that includes the watercraft: 
      • Year and make 
      • HIN 
      • Buyer’s name and address 
      • Seller's name and address 
    • Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) 
    • Watercraft title (if the watercraft is required to be titled) 
    • A surety bond (for watercraft valued at more than $2,500) 
    • Self-certification procedure (for watercraft valued at $2,500 or less) 
    • U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation 

Schedule an office visit

  • Based on the length. 
  • 6% sales tax due or proof of tax already paid.  
  • Dealers handle title and registration application and collect tax.  

Watercraft registration fee chart

Original fee/3-year renewal

Transfer and adding 2 years

Transfer and adding 1 year
  • All non-motorized sailboats*
  • All hand-powered craft over 16 feet (Canoes and kayaks are exempt.)
  • Commercial use (All hand-powered craft of any length, except for canoes.)
 $9 $6 $3
Non-motorized canoes and kayaks used commercially $5 $3 $2
Motorized canoes (all sizes) $14 $9 $5
Motorboats less than 12 feet $14 $9 $5
Motorboats 12 feet or over but less than 16 feet $17 $11 $6
Motorboats 16 feet or over but less than 21 feet $42 $28 $14
Motorboats 21 feet or over but less than 28 feet $115 $77 $38
Motorboats 28 feet or over but less than 35 feet $168 $112 $56
Motorboats 35 feet or over but less than 42 feet $244 $163 $81
Motorboats 42 feet or over but less than 50 feet $280 $187 $93
Motorboats 50 feet and over $448 $299 $149
Pontoon boats (regardless of size) $23 $15 $8
Vessels licensed in Michigan as a commercial fishing boat (no sport trollers) $15 $10 $5
Vessels licensed by the DNR or the Coast Guard to carry passengers, freight, or both, and owned in Michigan or based at a Michigan port (regardless of size). $45 $30 $15
  • Issued to watercraft weighing 10,000 pounds or more 
  • National form of registration. 
  • Required for vessels engaged in fishing activities on navigable waters or in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or those transporting passengers or consumer goods between points in the U.S. and the EEZ must carry a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation. 
  • Certificate of Documentation serves as proof of ownership 
  • No need for a title.  
  • Michigan registration still required. 
  • More information about the Certificate of Documentation, visit the U.S. Coast Guard website.

Place the registration decal about three inches to the right of and in line with the MC numbers. The placement on the port side of the bow will be a mirror image of that on the starboard side.

Snowmobiles (Choose tab)

  • Not required to be titled. 
  • Snowmobiles with out-of-state titles will be registered but won’t be issued a Michigan title. 
  • Registrations issued for three years. 
  • Expires Sept. 30 of the third year. 
  • Registration is $30. 
  • 6% sales tax due at registration or proof tax already paid.
  • Dealer handles registration and title applications and collects 6% sales tax. 

How to register: 

  • At a Secretary of State office you will need your ID and proof of ownership such as one of the following: 
  • The previous registration for the snowmobile, with the seller’s signature 
  • A bill of sale from the dealer 
  • A bill of sale from a private sale that includes the snowmobile: 
    • Year and make 
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN) 
    • Buyer’s name and address 
    • Seller's name and address 
  • Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) 
  • Reassigned title or registration, or a bill of sale from dealer or the owner for snowmobiles purchased out of state.

Schedule an office visit

  • Registration is $30.
  • 6% sales tax is also collected at the time the snowmobile is registered, unless you provide proof that sales tax was already paid or the sale was to a family member who qualifies for an exemption.
  • If you purchase a snowmobile at a dealership, the dealer usually handles the registration and title requirements and collects the 6% sales tax.
  • Must display both the registration decal and trail permit sticker on the front of the snowmobile, centered on the hood above the headlight. 
  • Trail permits cost $52 
  • Expire each year on September 30. 
  • Purchase a trail permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
  • Snowmobiles used exclusively on private lands or on the ice when ice fishing on public lands are exempt from the registration and trail permit requirements. 

Go to Michigan.gov/DNR

Place the decals on front half of the cowl above the footwell on each side of the sled. 

  • At least 26 years old or owned as a collector’s item. 
  • One-time fee of $50.   
  • Submit Application for Historic Snowmobile Registration, proof of ownership, and the required fee. Check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan to the: 
    Michigan Department of State 
    Special Services Branch 
    Lansing, MI 48918 
  • Historic snowmobile registrations don’t expire 
  • Can’t be transferred to another sled. 
  • Restricted to occasional use, such as club activities, exhibitions, tours, and parades. 
  • Placed above or below the headlight. If no headlight, the decal is placed on the forward half of the cowl above the footwell. 

Mopeds (Choose tab)

  • Not required to have a title 
  • Michigan law defines a moped as a vehicle with: 
    • Engine that doesn’t exceed 100 cc’s piston displacement. 
    • Power drive system that doesn’t require the operator to shift gears. 
    • Top speed of 30 mph or less on a level surface 

To register your moped: 

  • Visit a Secretary of State office 
  • Provide license or ID and 
  • Provide proof of ownership, including one of the following: 
  • The previous registration with seller’s signature 
  • Bill of sale from the dealer Bill of sale from a private sale that includes the moped:
    • Year and make 
    • Vehicle information number (VIN) 
    • Buyer’s name and address 
    • Seller's name and address 
  • Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) 
  • Surety bond if the moped is less than 10 years old or valued over $2,500 
  • Court order 
  • Dealers provide proof of ownership and an itemized bill of sale showing 6% sales tax paid. Submit these documents when registering your moped.  

    Registration isn’t required if a moped is only operated on private property.

Schedule an office visit

  • $15 registration fee 
  • 6% sales tax due at registration or proof sales tax was already paid. 

Place the decal on the rear fender of a two-wheeled moped and the left rear fender of a three-wheeled moped. 

Off-road vehicles (Choose tab)

Title 

  • Title required to sell.
  • Dealers handle title applications.  

Transferring a title 

  • Transfer ownership at a Secretary of State office by providing: 
  • Valid license or ID 
  • Assigned title with the seller’s portion and signature completed 
  • $11 title fee. 

You can order a duplicate title online through your online Secretary of State account or by mail, if you don’t live in Michigan. 

  • Cannot be operated on road unless converted and titled as an assembled vehicle with registration and insurance.  
  • To convert to on-road use steps on the Title page, see "Assembled vehicles section" and scroll down to "Converting an ORV and ATV to on-road use."
  • After conversion, like standard vehicle registration, you will need to renew your ORV, ATV, or off-road motorcycle registration and plate annually, and must have Michigan No-Fault policy to do so. 

Assembled vehicle titles

Vehicle Number/On-Road Equipment Inspection Form

  • Title: $11 
  • 6% sales tax due at registration or proof sales tax was already paid.  

  • If used on eligible county, state, and national roads must be registered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  
  • DNR trail permit is required to ride on state-designated trails and scramble areas.  
  • ORV licenses and trail permits renewed each year: 
    • DNR/ORV license: $26.25 per year 
    • DNR/trail permit: $36.25 per year   

ORV licenses and permit information (DNR)

ORVs, ATVs, and off-road motorcycles that are titled as assembled vehicles for on-road use must be registered with the Michigan Department of State and are required to have the following:

  • A state-issued license plate and valid registration tab
  • Proof of a valid Michigan No-Fault insurance policy for the vehicle

To register your assembled ORV, ATV, or off-road motorcycle, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following:

  • Your valid driver’s license or ID
  • Assembled vehicle title
  • Payment for title and registration fees

Like standard vehicle registration, you will need to renew your ORV, ATV, or off-road motorcycle registration and plate annually, and must have a valid Michigan No-Fault policy to do so.

Schedule an office visit

Renew vehicle tab and license plate

Trailers (Choose tab)

Title 

  • Required for trailers weighing 2,500 pounds or more. 
  • Less than 2,500 pounds, not required to be titled. 

Transferring a title 

At a Secretary of State office, provide: 

  • License or ID 
  • Trailer title 
  • Payment for title and registration fees 
  • Lien termination
  • Weight slip if not listed on title.   

If you don’t have a title, present one of the following as proof of ownership: 

  • Assigned ownership document 
  • Bill of sale from the dealer 
  • Bill of sale from the seller, including the trailer: 
    • Year and make 
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN) 
    • Buyer’s name and address 
    • Seller's name and address 
  • Lien termination document. 

Assembled trailers weighing 2,500 pounds or more 

To apply for an assembled trailer title, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following: 

  • License or ID 
  • Trailer title or ownership documents 
    • The frame, axle, and wheels must be accounted for. 
    • The box, if any, or the body unit for trailer coaches or camping trailers must also be noted.  
  • Bills of sale for all parts and components. 
  • TR-34 certification completed by owner summarizing the assembly or reconstruction of the vehicle. 
  • 6% will be due on materials used to upgrade the trailer unless sales slips are presented showing the tax was paid. 
  • Trailer weight slip 
  • Vehicle Number/On-Road Equipment Inspection Form completed and signed by a Michigan law enforcement officer
  • After passing final inspection with the Michigan Department of State, the trailer will be issued a new VIN and may be registered at a Secretary of State office. 

Non-titled trailers don’t need to go through the assembled vehicle process.  

Assembled vehicle titles

Vehicle Number/On-Road Equipment Inspection Form

To register a trailer, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following: 

  • License or ID 
  • Trailer weight or scale weight receipt 
  • Proof of ownership, such as: 
    • Assigned trailer title with the seller’s portion and signature completed
    • Previous trailer registration with the seller’s signature 
    • Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin 
    • Dealer's bill of sale 
    • Bill of sale from the seller with the trailer: 
      • Year and make 
      • Vehicle identification number (VIN) 
      • Buyer’s name and address 
      • Seller's name and address  

Schedule an office visit

Registration fees are set based on the empty weight of the trailer: 

  • 0-2,499 lbs: $75 
  • 2,500 - 9,999 lbs.: $200 
  • 10,000 lbs. and over: $300

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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