§ 215-A:21 — Registration

New Hampshire § 215-A:21

• Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
• Title XVIII: FISH AND GAME
• Ch. 215-A: OFF HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND TRAILS

Text

I. Registration of an OHRV or snowmobile does not constitute a license to operate said vehicle on private land. Any person operating an OHRV upon the land of another shall stop and identify himself upon the request of the landowner or his duly authorized representative and, if requested, shall promptly remove said OHRV from the premises.
II. Except as otherwise provided, no OHRV shall be operated in this state unless registered as provided in this chapter. No registration shall be required for an OHRV operated solely on land owned or leased by the owner of the OHRV. Except for temporary registrations under paragraph V, all OHRV registrations shall expire on May 1 in each year. The executive director shall collect a fee for each registration as provided in RSA 215-A:23.
II-a. [Repealed.]
II-b. Notwithstanding RSA 215-A:21, II, no registration shall be required for a youth model all terrain vehicle when the operator is under 12 years of age and accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who holds a valid license to operate an OHRV.
II-c. Notwithstanding RSA 215-A:21, II, no registration shall be required for a youth model trail bike when the operator is under 12 years of age and accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who holds a valid license to operate an OHRV.
II-d. If an OHRV is held by a trust, the trust may designate a person who is a beneficiary to register the vehicle in the person's name pursuant to this chapter.
III. No person under the age of 18 shall register an OHRV.
IV. [Repealed.]
IV-a. [Repealed.]
IV-b. Antique all terrain vehicles may be registered by a one-time purchase of a permanent plate to be affixed permanently to the antique all terrain vehicle. This registration shall be available at the fish and game headquarters only.
IV-c. Antique trail bikes may be registered by a one-time purchase of a permanent plate to be affixed permanently to the antique trail bike. This registration shall be available at the fish and game headquarters only.
IV-d. [Repealed.]
V. All OHRVs except conventional motor vehicles registered for highway use shall be registered at the fee provided in RSA 215-A:23, and shall be furnished a registration plate or decals of a design and color as chosen by the executive director. Said registration plate or decals shall be attached securely on the front and rear of the vehicle, in an unobstructed manner, as high as possible or at a location designed by the manufacturer. A nonresident registering an OHRV for a temporary 10 consecutive day period during the months of May to October shall be issued a temporary registration by the executive director. Such registration shall be valid only for 10 consecutive days from the start date and time specified on the registration. The executive director shall determine the procedure for issuance, design, color, and placement of temporary registration decals. Temporary registrations may not be transferred.
V-a. (a) All OHRV trails maintenance vehicles shall be registered with a number to be placed and attached in the manner prescribed in paragraph V.
(b) The registration number shall be contained on a decal of a design, color, and size designated by the executive director. The registration number for said vehicle shall be assigned by the executive director or one of his agents. In case of a transfer, the number shall expire and become invalid. If a new machine is obtained a new number shall be assigned, unless otherwise authorized by the executive director.
VI. No person shall operate any OHRV unless the assigned OHRV registration numbers, plates, or decals are placed on the OHRV as required by this chapter.
VI-a. No person shall knowingly affix or permit to be affixed to his or her OHRV a registration decal or plate, issued by the department or by the registration authority of any other jurisdiction, that is assigned to another OHRV.
VII. The registration certificate shall be subject to inspection on demand by any officer authorized to enforce provisions of this chapter. The registration certificate shall be carried while the OHRV is in operation. The said operator, shall when requested, show proof of personal identification.
VIII. No person shall register an OHRV at the resident fee as defined in RSA 215-A:23 unless such person is a resident as defined in RSA 215-A:1, XII.
IX. No person shall operate a motorcycle, trail bike, or tractor for off highway recreational purposes unless the motorcycle, trail bike, or tractor is registered as an OHRV; however, if the motorcycle, trail bike, or tractor is operated solely on land owned or leased by the owner of the motorcycle, trail bike, or tractor, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply.
X. [Repealed.]
XI. No OHRV registered in this state or any other jurisdiction for use on a way in this state, except OHRVs registered for purposes under RSA 261:41-a, shall be used recreationally on designated OHRV trails.

Legislative History

1981, 538:3. 1983, 449:11. 1985, 137:2; 261:7, 8. 1986, 152:15-18. 1988, 208:1. 1990, 133:1, 2. 1997, 117:1. 2000, 85:2; 108:3, 4. 2002, 233:26, 27. 2003, 295:15. 2005, 210:24, 25, 64, IX, X. 2008, 151:7, VI. 2010, 14:1, 2, eff. Sept. 4, 2010; 14:4, 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; 216:1, eff. July 1, 2010. 2014, 286:1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2015. 2015, 2:1, eff. April 15, 2015. 2016, 233:1, eff. May 1, 2018; 241:1, eff. June 10, 2016. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017. 2019, 216:5, eff. Sept. 10, 2019; 241:3, 12, I, eff. May 1, 2020. 2023, 217:2, eff. Oct. 3, 2023.