ATV / UTV registration

How to register a ATV or UTV in Minnesota

✓ Sourced from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)Registration required

ATV / UTV registration in Minnesota: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Who to contact

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Visit the official Minnesota page

Step by step

How to register in Minnesota.

Step 1
Register the ATV/OHV with the DNR (at a deputy registrar office offering DNR registrations, DNR License Bureau, or online), or purchase a trail pass to ride state/grant-in-aid trails

What to bring

Required documents.

Proof of ownership
Completed OHV registration application
Payment of DNR registration fee

Fees & renewal

Fees

Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Renewal

Renewal cadence not yet confirmed.

Good to know

ATVs/OHVs register with the DNR (NOT DVS). Off-road vehicle registration is required to operate, or the operator must hold a trail pass for state/grant-in-aid trails. ATVs 25 years and older are exempt from registration. Exact ATV fee/renewal term not stated on the fetched summary page, so left null.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · checked September 2, 2026. Read our sourcing methodology.

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General guidance

About ATV or UTV registration.

ATV and UTV registration is the most inconsistent category on this site: some states make it mandatory, some make it voluntary, and some route it through wildlife or natural-resources agencies rather than the DMV. Pick your state below for the real rule.

Mandatory vs voluntary registration

Some states require every ATV/UTV to be registered before it is operated anywhere, including private land. Others only require registration for use on public or state-managed trails, and a few make registration optional. The state guide below states which applies, sourced from the agency’s own page.

The agency is often not the DMV

Because off-road vehicles are frequently regulated for trail and land use, many states register ATVs/UTVs through a department of natural resources, wildlife agency, or state parks division rather than the motor vehicle department. Check the agency named in your state guide.

A trail permit is sometimes separate from registration

Some states require a separate trail-use permit or sticker on top of registration to ride designated public trails. The state guide below notes this where the agency documents it.

Common questions

The practical details.

Do I have to register a ATV or UTV in Minnesota?

Yes — Minnesota requires registration for this vehicle type. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) handles it; see the steps above.

How often do I need to renew?

Minnesota's renewal cadence for this vehicle type has not yet been confirmed against an official source — check with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) directly.

Do I have to register an ATV I only ride on my own private land?

It depends on the state. Some states require registration for any ATV regardless of where it is ridden; others only require it for public or state-trail use, and a few leave it entirely voluntary. Check the state guide below for the sourced rule.

Which agency registers an ATV or UTV?

It varies — some states use the DMV, others use a department of natural resources, wildlife agency, or parks division. The exact agency and its link are on your state’s guide page.

See every state for atvs & utvs