Kearns reminds snowmobilers to renew their sled registration in Erie County

Riders save money and help county retain much-needed revenue locally

Submitted by the Office of Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns 

Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns reminds snowmobilers to register their sleds “locally” through the Erie County Auto Bureau. This is an effort to keep vital revenues right here in Erie County.

Riders can renew by mail or in-person at any auto bureau branch. Due to higher-than-normal volume, reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made easily online at erie.gov/clerk/autobureau, or by calling the clerk’s outreach hotline at 716-858-8864. Same’ or next-day appointments are currently available at all Erie County locations.

To renew a snowmobile registration, riders need to complete and mail in their renewal notice, a photocopy of existing snowmobile registration, and a copy of the registrant’s New York state driver license. Snowmobile club members need to also include proof of membership in a New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) snowmobile club. Mail all documents to: Erie County Clerk’s Office, 92 Franklin St., Suite 1, Buffalo, NY 14202. Include a check made payable to “Erie County Clerk.” A snowmobile registration will be mailed back within 10 business days upon receipt of renewal request. To renew in person, be sure to bring in all required documents to the auto bureau to receive a sled’s registration.

Members of the NYSSA, or a local NYSSA-affiliated snowmobile club, will receive a $55 discount on all snowmobile registrations. Non-members will pay the full registration cost of $135. Snowmobilers are encouraged to contact the NYSSA at nysnowmobiler.com for information on joining local clubs and to obtain a registration voucher. All but $10 of each registration fee goes to the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund, which supports 10,500 miles of public snowmobile trails across New York (maintained by over 230 clubs).

Snowmobilers must always carry registration and proof of insurance documents while snowmobiling. Riders must produce the documents at the request of any law enforcement officer or magistrate. Riders also must produce insurance documentation at the request of anyone who is injured or suffers property damage because of operating a snowmobile. Holders of snowmobile safety certificates must also carry the certificate when they are snowmobiling.

Kearns also reminds snowmobilers it is illegal to operate a snowmobile while impaired by drugs or alcohol, and drivers and passengers must wear helmets on the state snowmobile trail system.

The Erie County Federation of Snowmobile Clubs have set the official open date as Jan. 2 for trails in the southern hunting zone, as well as all Erie County parks with designated trails – pending sufficient snow cover and conditions. Riders are encouraged to check with their local clubs to ensure trails have been opened, and to obtain the latest information on snowmobiling safety courses.

For more information on snowmobile registrations, contact the clerk’s outreach hotline at 716-858-8864 or submit a request at http://clerkhelp.erie.gov. Additional snowmobile and trailer registration information and forms can also be obtained on the clerk’s website under the auto bureau tab at erie.gov/clerk.