DNR Licensing & Registration

Class 1 ATV's are motorized flotation-tired vehicles with at least three but no more than six low pressure tires that have an engine displacement of less than 800 cubic centimeters and total dry weight of less than 900 pounds.

Class 2 ATV's are motorized flotation-tired vehicles with at least three but no more than six low pressure tires that have an engine displacement of less than 800 cubic centimeters and total dry weight of 900 to 1,500 pounds.

An ATV license is valid for 3 years.
To obtain an ATV license and registration, the owner must provide:

• ATV year
• ATV make
• ATV model
• ATV serial number
• ATV engine size
• ATV width
• ATV dry weight
• his/her driver's license

For license/registration fee information please visit the MN DNR site:

OHMs are motorized off-highway vehicles traveling on two wheels. OHMs have a seat or saddle designed to be straddled by the operator and have handlebars for steering control. Motorcycles may be legal for highway use and still considered to be OHMs if used for off-highway operation on trails or natural terrain.

An OHM license is valid for 3 years.
To obtain an OHM license and registration, the owner must provide:

• OHM make
• OHM model
• OHM serial number
• OHM engine size
• OHM registration number (if currently registered)
• his/her driver's license

For license/registration fee information please visit the MN DNR site:

ORVs are motorized recreational vehicles capable of cross-country travel on natural terrain, such as four-wheel-drive trucks. (ORVs under 1,500 pounds are registered as Class 2 ATVs.)

An ORV license is valid for 3 years.
To obtain an ORV license and registration, the owner must provide:

• ORV year
• ORV make
• ORV model
• ORV vehicle identification number
• ORV registration number (if currently registered)
• his/her driver's license

For license/registration fee information please visit the MN DNR site:

A snowmobile license is valid for 3 years.
To obtain a snowmobile license and registration, the owner must provide:

• snowmobile year
• snowmobile make
• snowmobile model
• snowmobile serial number
• snowmobile engine size
• his/her driver's license

Snowmobiles do not need to be registered with the DNR if:

• being used to groom a state or grant-in-aid trail
• owned and used by the federal government, another state, or a political subdivision
• registered in a country other than the U.S. being used temporarily in Minnesota
• currently registered in another state and not kept in Minnesota for more than 30 consecutive days
• used exclusively in organized track-racing events
• in transit by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer
• at least 15 years old in transit by an individual for use on land owned or leased by the individual
• used exclusively for agricultural purposes

For license/registration fee information please visit the MN DNR site:

What must be licensed - All motorized and non-motorized watercraft must be licensed by the DNR. The types of watercraft that must be licensed include, but are not limited to, motorboats, rowboats, sailboats, sailboards, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, rowing shells or sculls, all-terrain vehicles used in the water, and inflatable craft. Unless a license is issued and in effect, it's against the law to operate or permit the operation of any watercraft which requires a license.

Exceptions to this law are as follows:

1. Watercraft currently registered in another state and not kept in Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days.
2. Watercraft from a country other than the U.S. and not kept in Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days.
3. Watercraft owned by the United States government, except those used for recreational purposes.
4. Watercraft documented with the United States Coast Guard. (Note: Documentation is a process where official papers on craft five net tons or larger are issued by the Coast Guard instead of state registration.)
5. A ship's lifeboat.
6. Duck boats during the duck hunting season, rice boats during the harvest season and seaplanes.
7. Non-motorized watercraft nine feet in length or less.

For license/registration fee information please visit the MN DNR site: