Dirt bikes are typically manufactured for tough terrains and an off-road experience. However, if you want to ride your dirt bike on the streets, public roads, and highways of Vermont, it is probably a good idea to first understand the dirt bike laws and if it is street legal in Vermont.
In order for a two-wheeler to be considered street legal in the state of Vermont, it has to comply with regulations governing safety, emission, and antitheft standards. Since dirt bikes are not manufactured to comply with any of those federal and state statutes, they are not considered street legal in the state of Vermont. That being said, there are some mechanical and non-mechanical procedures to make your dirt bike street legal in the state of Vermont.
Each state in the US relies on its own regulations and guidelines to determine if a vehicle is safe to ride on the roads. However, if you’re a beginner rider, the regulations and guidelines may initially become a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry, I have compiled an extensive guide on making a dirt bike street legal in the state of Vermont.
Related: Are Dirt Bikes Street Legal in New York?
Is it Illegal to ride dirt bikes on Vermont roads?
Riding a dirt bike is a lot of fun. However, you can not ride your dirt bike anywhere you want in Vermont. There are state rules, regulations, and laws you’ll need to follow while riding your dirt bike in Vermont. Since dirt bikes in stock form are not street legal in Vermont, it is illegal to ride them on Vermont roads, streets, and highways. Dirt bikes can be ridden on the public roads and streets of Vermont only if it is registered and plated. In order to register a dirt bike in Vermont, you’ll need to make it street legal first. Ignoring the dirt bike laws of Vermont and riding them on streets may likely lead to a citation(ticket). Moreover, your dirt bike may be towed and a small fine may be imposed.
Where can you ride your dirt bikes legally in Vermont?
If your dirt bike is not registered and plated, you can’t legally ride it on public roads, streets, and highways of Vermont. Therefore, if your dirt bike is not street legal, the best place to ride it in Vermont is your own backyard. Although no one can stop you from riding a dirt bike on your private property, there are laws and regulations regarding pollution and noise violations in Vermont. Therefore, if your property is close to other homes, you might not be able to ride your dirt bike even on your private property. Since every city and county in Vermont has its own laws and regulations regarding pollution and noise violations, I would highly recommend taking some time to research and understand these local regulations before riding dirt bikes on private property.
The next best place to ride your dirt bike is the local state park trails or public dirt bike parks. However, make sure you glance at the park’s basic rules, as some parks or trails in Vermont only allow certain types of vehicles to be ridden and some may even require you to buy a permit.
How do you make a dirt bike street legal in Vermont?
Vermont is like most other states when it comes to making a dirt bike street legal. The state of Vermont has its own set of rules and regulations regarding the legalities of dirt bikes on its public roads and highways. The first and most important thing to remember while making your dirt bike street legal in Vermont is to make your dirt bike resemble more like a street bike or a motorcycle.
In Vermont, a motorcycle is defined as any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and shall include autocycles but exclude motor-driven cycles, golf carts, track driven vehicles, tractors, and electric personal assistive mobility devices.
The process of making your dirt bike street legal in Vermont includes some mechanical adjustments as well as some non-mechanical procedures.
Mechanical Additions to make a dirt bike street legal in Vermont
The first step to making your dirt bike street legal in the state of Vermont is making sure all the safety components of a motorcycle is present in your dirt bike. Knowing the parts you need in your dirt bike to make it street legal may sound pretty simple. However, assembling all the required parts and modifying your bike can be an overwhelming process. Be at ease, though! I have linked exactly where you should go to purchase every part you require to legally ride your dirt bike on the public roads of Vermont.
Your dirt bike should have the following equipment to be considered street legal in Vermont:
- A working headlight (high and low beam) and a taillight,
- A working brake light,
- A functioning pair of front and back brakes,
- A functioning turn signal and a horn,
- Two Rearview Mirrors,
- DOT-approved Tires,
- A License Plate Bracket,
- Additional Components (Odometer, Kickstand, Charging System, Stator )
Keep in mind, Vermont restricts the sound that the dirt bike makes. Therefore, any all-terrain vehicles must be equipped with a muffler system and such other equipment or devices that reduce maximum machine operating noise to a noise level of not more than 82 decibels on the ‘A’ scale at 50 feet, in a normal operating environment.
Non-mechanical procedures to make a dirt bike street legal in Vermont
Once you install all the safety components in your dirt bike and make it look more like a street bike, you’ll need to follow a few more steps in order to make your dirt bike street legal in Vermont.
1. Complete VN-029 from a licensed Vermont inspection mechanic
Once you get your Vermont motorcycle license and get the liability insurance sorted for your dirt bike, the next step is to go to a licensed Vermont Inspection mechanic and complete Off Road Conversion to Street Legal Motorcycle (Form VN-029). Keep in mind, this form can only be completed by a licensed Vermont Inspection mechanic. Out of state inspections are not acceptable while registering your dirt bike in Vermont. Furthermore, you must provide valid registration and proof of insurance before the inspection can be administered. If you need to apply for a temporary registration
for purposes of inspection, you may do so online at mydmv.vermont.gov provided the paperwork will be submitted to the Vermont DMV within 24 hours.
2. Complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement
You must submit an Odometer Disclosure Statement (VT-005) for vehicles model year 2011 and newer, self-propelled, and with a registered weight of 16,000 lbs. or less.
3. Register your dirt bike with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
The registration of your dirt bike in Vermont depends on where you purchase your dirt bike from. When you plan to take the trip to Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office, you must provide some crucial documents to complete the registration.
- A copy of the title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin,
- Bill of Sale.
- A dealer’s affidavit (if the motorcycle was bought in another state),
- Proof of Insurance,
- VIN Inspection and Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VT-005),
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title/Registration Vermont (Form VD-119),
- Receipts of all the paid fees and taxes.
You’ll need to pay some fees for dirt bike registration ($48), title ($11), and sales tax (6%) at the local Department of motor vehicles office in Vermont for your dirt bike. Keep in mind, local county taxes and surcharges(varies by county) may also apply.
If you purchased your dirt bike from the dealer and the dirt bike’s certificate of Origin doesn’t mention your dirt bike being off-road only, you don’t need to do anything. The dealer will submit your documents to your local DMV office in Vermont. You’ll receive copies of the documents sent for your records.
However, if you bought a dirt bike, which already has a title, from a private seller, it is your and the seller’s responsibility to register the motorcycle at the local DMV office in Vermont. You can title the dirt bike at the same time. To register your dirt bike:
- You and the seller must sign the title
- Provide proof of insurance
- Present the current registration
- Present the proof of ownership (MSO, title, or Bill of Sale)
- Pay all the applicable fees
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of making your dirt bike street legal in Vermont yourself, DirtLegal provides a dirt bike legal service for just $299. After you complete your order, they’ll be getting the paperwork ready for you and send you within 24 hours.
Do dirt bikes have titles in Vermont?
Yes, it is possible to title a dirt bike in Vermont. However, you will need either the Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) or a Bill of Sale that meets the DMV requirements.
In case you don’t have the MSO, you can contact your dealer or the manufacturer to obtain this information. If you bought the dirt bike from someone else and the dirt bike is not yet titled, you may ask them for the certificate of origin. Furthermore, even if the previous owner doesn’t have the certificate of origin, you can use the VIN number to find out who the first owner is. This way you can contact them and ask them if they have the MSO of your dirt bike.
How to get a title for a dirt bike in Vermont?
The process of getting a title for a dirt bike in Vermont is very simple. The most important document you’ll need in order to get a title and registration of your dirt bike in Vermont is proof of ownership and insurance. Proof of ownership can typically be provided with one of the following documents:
- Title from the previous owner that has been filled out and signed,
- Bill of sale,
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin from the dealership(MSO),
- Documents that demonstrate the full chain of ownership.
If you purchased your dirt bike in another state and want to title and register it in Vermont, you’ll also typically need to complete a VIN verification and inspection.
Once all the documents are ready, visit your local Vermont DMV office and:
- Provide all the proof of ownership documentation,
- Proof of Insurance Coverage,
- Photo ID,
- Complete an Registration/Title/Tax Application (Form VD-119),
- Pay the $11 title fee.
If you’re buying a used dirt bike and the previous owner doesn’t have the title, or the state doesn’t issue titles to dirt bikes, a bill of sale will often suffice. To register/title a dirt bike in Vermont with just a bill of sale, you’ll need to be sure that it meets the DMV’s bill of sale requirements, which typically include:
- Full name, address, and signature of the seller,
- Full name, address, and signature of the buyer,
- Details of the dirt bike including year, make, model, and VIN,
- Details of the sale including date, sale price, and any other details.
Vermont also requires you to notarize the signatures on the bill of sale. Alternatively, you can also request that the seller applies for a duplicate title before proceeding with the sale.
How to register your dirt bike with no title in Vermont?
If you’re trying to register a dirt bike in Vermont with no title, here are some things you could do.
- Get a valid bill of sale from the seller along with any other ownership and registration documents they may have. The more documentation you have that proves the chain of ownership, the easier the process will be.
- Run the dirt bike’s VIN to be sure that it’s not stolen and matches the dirt bike you’re buying.
- Have your motorcycle inspected by a tag agent for its VIN and odometer reading
A lot of riders are attracted to Vermont for registration of their dirt bike without title, because you can register the dirt bike in Vermont without a need of a title, residency requirement (mail-in registration application state).
Do you need a license and liability insurance to ride a dirt bike in Vermont?
You don’t need a license or insurance if you plan to ride your dirt bike strictly off-road or even on your private property in Vermont. However, if you plan to link trails by roads or want to experience riding your dirt bikes on public streets and roads or highways in Vermont, you’ll first need to register it with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (OTC) and get your dirt bike plated. Furthermore, you should also apply for a Vermont motorcycle endorsement and have insurance in place.
A motorcycle endorsement is a credential added to your current, valid Vermont driver’s license authorizing you to operate your dirt bike with that license. If you don’t already have an driving license, you can apply for a “Motorcycle Only” driver’s license in Vermont. And lastly, always carry your license, title, and insurance papers with you while taking your dirt bike on Vermont roads.
