Cal/Nevada regulations

[socal4t12]

Can anyone out there give me an insight to the regulations for Cal/Nevada area. Im looking at getting that LMC 1200 for Christmas and want to head out to the hill in January with it. I know in California we have the "green sticker" program for motorcycles and such, but is this also needed for snowmobiles and snowcats?
Ive been told by a USFS ranger in Bridgeport that all i need is 8" of snow cover to run the cat, and that im not allowed in any of the areas that are set up for "snowmobile" use. He did tell me i can run on any highway pass thats closed, as long as i stay on the designated roadways and camp ground areas.

Let me know what i need, so i can head out and enjoy my Christmas toy.

 

[BigAl]

Ive been told by a USFS ranger in Bridgeport that all i need is 8" of snow cover to run the cat, and that im not allowed in any of the areas that are set up for "snowmobile" use. He did tell me i can run on any highway pass thats closed, as long as i stay on the designated roadways and camp ground areas.

Let me know what i need, so i can head out and enjoy my Christmas toy.

GEt that in writing and signed by him along with his badge number . It might be handy when some other ranger pulls you over and trys to write you up . Put a Slow Moving vehicle sign on the back and make sure your flasher lights are working .
I don't even try to register in Calif .Nobody seems to have the same requirments . I just walk in the local store at my place in Idaho and walk out 5 minutes later with my paperwork in order .

 

[Robert45]

Forest Service requires a green sticker for USFS lands in California.
The piss fir willy was right about, not running snowcats on the groomed snowmoblie trails. I haven't heard any talk about min. snow depth.
Calif DMV is a pain in the rear to get a green sticker. Been there, done that. But I did get one, after much disscussion and a phone call to Sacramento.
Your best bet in getting a green sticker is to go to a DMV office that is located in snow country. That way they might understand what a snowcat is. I have never come across any USFS rangers while out running around in my snowcat. Guess one of these day it well have and I'm sure it well be interesting.

 

[couchloafer]

BigAl,
What paperwork are you able to pick up here in Idaho? I cant get them to issue a groomer sticker because I cant title mine. I was able to walk into the local forest service branch and get a year long use permit( which is free). They told me I need one for each and every National Forest I will be operating in. They also told me if the groomed trail is in a National Forest I have a use permit for they should have sold me the groomed trail permit if I was willing to pay for it because I don't need it with the use permit. I did need to get liability insurance which was pretty easy through Progressive.

Get that in writing and signed by him along with his badge number . It might be handy when some other ranger pulls you over and trys to write you up . Put a Slow Moving vehicle sign on the back and make sure your flasher lights are working .
I don't even try to register in Calif .Nobody seems to have the same requirments . I just walk in the local store at my place in Idaho and walk out 5 minutes later with my paperwork in order .

 

[BigAl]

BigAl,
What paperwork are you able to pick up here in Idaho? I cant get them to issue a groomer sticker because I cant title mine. I was able to walk into the local forest service branch and get a year long use permit( which is free). They told me I need one for each and every National Forest I will be operating in. They also told me if the groomed trail is in a National Forest I have a use permit for they should have sold me the groomed trail permit if I was willing to pay for it because I don't need it with the use permit. I did need to get liability insurance which was pretty easy through Progressive.

I talked with the sheriffs office and with USFS when I got here and they told me just to go down and get a sticker ,which can be purchase at the local Cafe . I went in with my Vin # , model name and manufacture and they took care of it . Then I went to my local Groomer and checked with him and he said as long as I had a SMV sign on the back and some flashers ,to have a good time on there trail system .We have 3 or 4 cats up here and thats all they have . In fact the local sheriff said they may use my cat in emergencies . Hope that helps . I know there are some changes going on about ATV being driven on the road up here . They now require a lic plate . I think this was bought on to help the county find new funding sources . I'm fine with that .Let me talk with them and maybe I can help you out .

 

[Snowcat Operations]

COUCHLOAFER,
I purchased my snowmobile sticker in Idaho City, Idaho. I walked into the local gas station / sporting good store and gave them my year make and model vin ect ect. Now about that liabilty insurance. who do I call? PM me please.

 

[mtntopper]

Idaho snowmobile laws are very specific to weight limitations. If you are registering a snow cat as a snowmobile it is not a valid registration according to my research of Idaho snowmobile laws. You may get by with it in some areas (counties) and in other the LE may take a different approach to use as a snowmobile. Federal law is not as specific but state laws on a state trail system can override the federal register rules if the trail program is state or county sponsored and administrated. The state definition is very specific to weight limitations but the county or FS LE will be the enforcer of any laws.

I do not agree with the Idaho law since it goes against federal law and most other state laws/snowmobile definition in other states. For some unknown reason Idaho has taken a different approach to snowmobile definition and licensee requirements.

http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/2006/H0603.html

(14) "Snowmobile" means any self-propelled vehicle under one thousand
8 (1,000) pounds unladened gross weight, designed primarily for travel on snow
9 or ice or over natural terrain, which may be steered by tracks, skis, or run-
10 ners, and which is not otherwise registered or licensed under the laws of the
11 state of Idaho.

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Bill,
That may be so but everytime I came across a snowmobile or the cat grooming a trail they were all very pleased to see I went the extra step and purchased a snowmobile sticker and that reginal sticker. I am sure this will help keep someone from potentially complaining. "WHY DONT THEY NEED A STICKER? I HAD TO BUY ONE!" By pruchasing these stickers it helps support the trail systems we sometime have to ride on. I have a research permit but still choose to purchase these tags or stickers to help promote the trails and head off any potential complaints.

 

[srexecmark]

The USFS requires a Special Use permit in most Forests here in Washington if you are operating it on public land. I think the permit is good for 10 years. You have to have proper lights and reflectors. The DMV says no registration required.