Snowdog Registration in Utah

[dubob]

As most of you know, the Utah DMV & Tax Commission determined for registration purposes that Snowdog met the Utah Code Definition of a Snowmobile and therefore must be registered as a Snowmobile.  I disagreed with that decision and requested a Private Letter Ruling (PLR) from the Tax Commission.  They accepted my request and sent me the PLR in July 2023.  The decision to register Snowdogs as Snowmobiles was correct and would stand.

The 2024 legislative session produced a modification to the Utah Code that changed the definition of a Snowmobile.  The new definition became effective on May 1, 2024.  It is now written as this:

Snowmobile means any motor vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice and steered and supported in whole or in part by skis, belts, cleats, runners, or low pressure tires, and equipped with a s addle or seat for the use of the rider.

Snowdogs don’t have seats or s addles.

So, I wrote to the DMV and asked for clarification/guidance on how I should now register my Snowdog.  I got a reply from the Division of Motor Vehicles, Utah State Tax Commission that said this:

Snow dogs are no longer required to be registered in Utah if you are not able to straddle a seat on the machine, if there is a seat to straddle you will need to register the machine as a snowmobile.  Have a nice day!

If you have additional questions please reply to this email, or if you'd like to speak to an agent, contact us at the number listed below or schedule an in-person appointment by clicking here!

So, there you have it folks.  Until they change the Utah Code; Title 41, Motor Vehicles; Chapter 22, Off-highway Vehicles; Section 2, Definitions (Effective 11/1/2024), to include a proper determination/definition of a Snowdog, you don’t currently have to register them for use within the State of Utah.

[jjannie]

Well, that is interesting. Maybe all our letters DID actually make difference for once. Thanks for sharing the info Bob.

[kastmaster]

Thanks for the info!