Attention SnowDog and similar owners!

[Kent]

"ATTENTION TRACK SLED/SNOW DOG OWNERS!!!!

My company Backwater Performace is the SnowDog dealer in Utah.  I have been in contact with the UT DMV regarding registering/titling these machines.

The Utah DMV is now considering your machine a SNOWMOBILE under this statute-

"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."

Utah does require any motor vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice, that is a model year 1988 or newer to be titled.  As such, vehicles like Snow Dogs, Snowcats, DTV Shredders, etc. are to be titled and registered.

Here is a link with the rules, and fees based on your county

https://dmv.utah.gov/vehicles/snowmobiles

If you purchased a Snowdog from us, you will have a Manufacturers Statement of Origin.  Bring that document to the dmv, and they will get you a title."

[wiperhunter2]

Thanks for the info Kent but when did you buy a snowdog dealership?

[BURLEY]

Thanks Kent. I got mine from Backwater and have not received any notification.

[BertDawg]

So If I drive my riding lawn mower on the ice it is considered a snowmobile? And I need to register it as a snowmobile?

[SkunkedAgain]

Sounds like it, you knew the state couldn't resist a chance to tax you more right? I could see that one coming they always got their hands out looking for more of your hard earned cash...

[Kent]

Thanks for the info Kent but when did you buy a snowdog dealership?

Never.  Notice that the entire document is in quotation marks.  I quoted a post on Facebook.

[wiperhunter2]

Thanks for the info Kent but when did you buy a snowdog dealership?

Never.  Notice that the entire document is in quote marks.  I quoted a post on Facebook.

LOL, that makes sense, I just figured the quote came from your new snowdog website.

[oldguy]

It seems that this was going to happen sooner than later. But imo if they are going to target us fisherman and hunters then they need to address the E-Bikes as well as the mountain bikes that are using the recreation areas and not having to paying to license them as well as the bikes on the street that are not paying any road taxes. Just saying!

[MrShane]

It seems that this was going to happen sooner than later. But imo if they are going to target us fisherman and hunters then they need to address the E-Bikes as well as the mountain bikes that are using the recreation areas and not having to paying to license them as well as the bikes on the street that are not paying any road taxes. Just saying!

Don’t forget paddleboards and kayaks!
It always falls on the backs of the people that own an engine.

[BertDawg]

That article does not site the actual statue. I can not find anything on the dmv website. Does anyone know what the actual law is and have a link to the statue?

[BURLEY]

That article does not site the actual statue. I can not find anything on the dmv website. Does anyone know what the actual  law is and have a link to the statue?

Best I can find is the link above in the original post, then click Title in blue. Then apply the regs for OHV that says "snowmobiles included".

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I would like to know if or how the general public was going to be notified. They just inform you as they write up the ticket, I guess.

[2021ang]

Sounds like it, you knew the state couldn't resist a chance to tax you more right?  I could see that one coming they always got their hands out looking for more of your hard earned cash...

What does that mean for those that have built their own?

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Sounds like it, you knew the state couldn't resist a chance to tax you more right?  I could see that one coming they always got their hands out looking for more of your hard earned cash...

What does that mean for those that have built their own?

Also, does that mean I need to register my sled, snow shoes, fishing poles, heater? Where does it end?

[BertDawg]

So I just spent some time getting my call passed around the dmv for the last hour. As expected, no one knew what a snowdog or a track sled was to begin with so let me place you on hold and pass you on to the next unsuspecting dmv employee. I finally got to talk to conner whom was placing me on hold in between asking his supervisor all my questions. If you home built one they would ask you too fill out 569-A form as well as a 656 form as well as a 661 form. You would then have too bring it into the dmv and have it "inspected." They could then register it. When asked how they would tell if the snowdog or any components were stolen or not he had no answer for that. I asked him if out of state "snowdogs" needed to be registered. He said they do not require out of state to be registered. So I guess it's a good thing I am borrowing my buddies snowdog from out of state. I asked him when the defintion of a snowmobile was changed. He did not know the answer. I asked him what the statue number or house bill pertaining this information he did not know. He told me I would need to contact the legislatures for that information. I will let you know what my legislature comes up with. He did inform me that I would not need to register my lawnmower as a snowmobile to take it on the ice.

[Gone Forever]

So If I drive my riding lawn mower on the ice it is considered a snowmobile? And I need to register it as a snowmobile?

No, it is not a snowmobile, it is an ORV and you not only need to register it, but you would need a drivers certificate to operate it. 
It IS a Motor Vehicle,  It has a motor and the motor makes it move...motor vehicle.

[dubob]

I hope this answers most of the questions raised on this thread.  Your lawn mower would only have to be registered if you used it on snow or ice.  

Snowmobile vs Snowdog.  What is the Utah Code definition of a snowmobile.  It can be found in 41-22-2 (22) “Snowmobile” means any motor vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice and steered and supported in whole or in part by skies, belts, cleats, runners, or low pressure tires.  Snowmobiles  and Snowdogs are both supported by belts.  Snowmobiles are most commonly steered by the use of skies, but I can see where you might use low pressure tires.  Snowdogs have no skies, runners (whatever they might be) or low-pressure tires with which the Snowdog can be made to turn.  The belt (with cleats) on a snowmobile or Snowdog has no steering function that will make either of them deviate from straight forward or straight backward (if it has a reverse capability).  Yes, the Snowdog can be made to turn, but not by any of the items spelled out in 41-22-2 (22) - in whole or in part by skies, belts, cleats, runners, or low pressure tires.  Therefore, I maintain that a Snowdog does NOT fit the definition of “Snowmobile” in the Utah State Code (the law).

If you look at 41-22-2 (4), Subparagraphs (a) & (b), you will see that the Snowdog DOES fit the definition of an all-terrain type III vehicle.  41-22-2 (4) (a) “All-terrain type III vehicle” means any other motor vehicle, not defined in Subsection (2 – All-terrain type I vehicle), (3 – All-terrain type II vehicle), (12 – Motorcycle), or (22 - Snowmobile), designed for or capable of travel over unimproved terrain.  41-22-2 (4) (b) tells us what an all-terrain type III vehicle classification doesn’t include, and the Snowdog is none of those.

So why is the DMV adamant about classifying the Snowdog a snowmobile instead of an all-terrain type III vehicle?  Utah Code is very specific and clearly defines each type of vehicle.  There are five (5) specific items listed that are required for a vehicle to be defined a snowmobile.  The machine must be “steered AND supported” only by one or more of these 5 items.  None of these 5 items is used for steering the Snowdog.  The Snowdog is steered by the operator of the Snowdog applying sideways pressure to a handle bar.  The term ‘handlebar’ is NOT listed as a means of steering or support.  Therefore, I cannot understand how the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (UDMV) insists it should be registered as a snowmobile.

Is it possible that their reasoning involves the age-based uniform fees associated with each type of vehicle?  The fee for a new snowmobile is $45 for the first three years.  The fee for an all-terrain type III vehicle is $18 for the first 3 years.  HMMMMM?  Our government agencies certainly can’t be under pressure to generate as much income as possible – could they?  Tell me it isn’t so.  Anybody?

If you own a Snowdog (or a DIY version) I would ask that you immediately contact your Senator/Representative, the Governor, the Utah AG Office and the Utah DMV and voice a complaint. It also wouldn't hurt to contact our local television investigative teams asking them to look into this. The UDMV has told me that the determination for this new requirement to register Snowdogs came from the legislature. They would not/could not tell me which legislative office or person told them that. The latest changes to Utah Code 41-22-2 became effective 7/1/2022 from last years (2022) legislative session and there is no wording in the most current code that specifically defines a Snowdog as a snowmobile.

This isn't going to go away folks. It is happening right now. You DO have a voice in this, but you MUST speak up. DO IT TODAY! Please.

[lonefisherman]

I went and registered mine yesterday. It took 2 trips. I took my receipt and the [font="Open Sans", sans-serif]Manufacturers Statement of Origin.[/font] The first person told me that I would need to pay the sales tax, or prove that I already paid the sales tax, or get the dealer number and signature showing they were responsible for the tax. They said the receipt I had wouldn't work because it was unsigned. I went to Backwater, they were as helpful as they could be, but they are trying to figure this out too. They don't have a dealer number yet. They did sign my receipt in hopes that would prove I paid the sales tax. I went back to the DMV and this time I got a person who helped me figure out how to title and register it with what I had. Maybe the signed receipt helped, idk. THEY DID NEED TO VISUALLY INSPECT MINE AND MATCH THE VIN NUMBER. Luckily I thought that might be that case and took it with me. I hope this helps others.