Acushnet Police Department

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ATV (F)requently (A)sked (Q)uestions

Q: What is a Recreational Vehicle?

A: A Recreational Vehicle, Off Road Vehicle (OVR), Dirtbike or an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain, if used for recreation or pleasure off a public way. Also, includes all legally registered motor vehicles when used off a public way. Any motor vehicle registered under Chapter 90 will not be subject to registration under Chapter 90B, but must display a current motor vehicle registration.

Q: How old do you have to be to ride/drive a Recreational Vehicle?

A: No person under 14 years of age shall operate a recreation vehicle, except as provided below:

A person who is 12 or 13 years of age may operate if directly supervised by a person 18 years of age or older.
A person, who is 10 or 11 years of age, may operate if directly supervised by a person 18 years old or older and the vehicle is operated on land upon which the operator lives.
A person under 14 years of age may operate in a sanctioned race, rally, or organized event, which has been approved by the appropriate local authority.
Under no circumstances, may a person operate who is less than 10 years of age.
No person under the age of 16 and ½ years of age shall operate a recreation vehicle across a public way

Q: Do I have to register my Recreational Vehicle?

A: Yes, State law requires the registration of any ATV or Snowmobile in accordance with the provisions of the law (Chapter90B) except on land owned by the owner of such recreational vehicle.

Recreation vehicles operated on public or private property must be registered through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, except if used solely on land owned by the operator. Out-of-state recreation vehicle registrations are not valid in Massachusetts.
The registration plate shall be displayed on the back of each recreation vehicle.
For further registration information call (617) 626-1610.

Q: What do I need to register my Recreational Vehicle?

A: There are few thing that you will need and they are listed below with the proper links.

Bill of Sale (name and address of seller)
Proof of payment of sales tax (ST-6, ST-6E, or Bill of Sale). Note: To pay your sales tax online, visit the Department of Revenue website at https://wf.dor.state.ma.us/mrv
Serial Number (ATV- 17 characters, found on the frame)
Required fee
Properly completed and signed application. (download here)

If the ATV or snowmobile is purchased new, a copy of the "Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin" is required.

Q: How much does it cost to register my Recreational Vehicle?

A: The following is the fee to register your Recreational Vehicle.

Resident ATV and/or Snowmobile	$40 (Two Years)
Non-Resident ATV and/or Snowmobile	$30 (One Year)

Transfer of Registration	$15
Duplicate Registrations	$10

Dealer Permit (ATV/Snowmobile)	$50 (One year)
Dealer Registration	$40 (Two Years)

Q: Do I have to carry my registration with me while riding?

A: Yes, your registration card must be carried while riding your ATV or snowmobile. The card should be on your person or in the vehicle and shown upon demand to a law enforcement officer.

Q: Where can I ride my Recreational Vehicle?

A: You can ride your recreational vehicle on private property and in the seven State Forest Management Areas. If riding on private property that is not your own you must have permission of the land owner in order to legally ride on their property. Written proof of permission should be kept on your person while riding on private property. Below is a list of The Conservation and Recreation Departments regulations and locations of trails.

DCR Regulations
Motorized Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) use is permitted only within the seven State Forest management areas listed below under the following conditions:

ORV use is permitted only on specifically marked and designated ORV trails within the seven state forests. Designated ORV trails will be marked with trailhead signage and/or orange or yellow trail blazes;
ORV use is permitted only during a riding season beginning no earlier than May 1 and ending no later than the last Sunday of November each year;
All ORVs must be currently registered in Massachusetts per MGL c. 90 or c. 90B.
Vehicles over 1000 lbs. are prohibited from all trails at all times;
No person under 12 years of age may operate an ORV at any time. Persons 12 and 13 years of age may operate, but must be directly supervised by an adult at all times.

Western Massachusetts
DCR has opened these forests to ORV use in partnership with the Berkshire Trails Council, which has agreed to assist with the management and maintenance of ORV trails. For more information, call DCR Region 5 headquarters at 413-442-8928.

Pittsfield State Forest (Pittsfield, Hancock) Approx. 36 miles of trails, old logging roads suitable for motorcycles and ATVs along the Taconic range on the Mass./New York border. 413-442-8992 (Mass Pike to exit 2, Route 20 west toward New York, follow signs)
October Mountain State Forest (Lee, Lenox, Washington, Becket) Approx. 30 miles of trails, old logging roads suitable for motorcycles and ATVs in the highlands of the central Berkshires. 413-243-1778 (Mass Pike to exit 2, Route 20 west, right on Center St. in Lee, follow signs)
Beartown State Forest (Lee, Great Barrington, Monterey) Approx. 25 miles of trails, old logging roads suitable for motorcycles and ATVs in the southern Berkshires. 413-528-0904 (Mass Pike to exit 2, Route 20 east, Route 102 west, Route 7 south, Route 23 east, left on Blue Hill Road, follow signs)
Tolland State Forest (Tolland, Sandisfield, Otis) Approx. 15 miles of trails, old logging roads near the Otis Reservoir. Not recommended for ATVs or non-road-registered motorcycles. 413-269-6002 (Mass Pike to exit 3, Route 10/202 south, Route 20 west, Route 23 west, follow signs)

Southeast Massachusetts
DCR has opened these forests to ORV use in partnership with the Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders and King Philip Trail Riders, who have agreed to assist with the management and maintenance of ORV trails. For more information, call DCR Region 1 headquarters at 508-866-2580.

Freetown-Fall River State Forest (Freetown, Fall River) 25 miles of mostly singletrack trails suitable for motorcycles (no ATVs). Many trails are extremely rocky, "expert"-level riding. 508-644-5522 (Route 24 south to exit 10, bear left onto S. Main St., first right onto High St., ORV parking lot approx. 1.5 mi. on right)
F. Gilbert Hills State Forest (Foxboro, Wrentham, Franklin) 8 mile loop, mostly rocky singletrack in Foxboro. Suitable only for motorcycles (no ATVs). Additional trails are available at the Wrentham and Franklin State Forest areas. 508-543-5850 (I-95 south, Route 140 north, 3/4 around Foxboro common, bear right on South St., right on Mill St., follow signs)
(Myles Standish State Forest is currently closed to all ORV use)

Northeast Massachusetts
For more information, call DCR Region 2 headquarters at 978-369-3351.

Georgetown-Rowley State Forest (Georgetown, Rowley) Approximately 5 miles of trails, abandoned roads in this small, quiet forest straddling I-95. 978-887-5931 (Route 95 north, Route 97 west, look for sign)

Q: What kind of operation is not allowed on Recreational Vehicles?

A: The following is a list of Prohibited Operation:

Operating under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Operating on public ways or upon the right-of-way limits of a controlled access highway.
Failure to come to a complete stop when crossing a public way (must yield to motor vehicle traffic). No person under 16½ years of age shall operate across a public way.
Operating so as to endanger any person or property.
Operating at an unreasonable, improper, and unsafe speed for existing conditions.
Operating on land of another without permission of the owner. (Permission may be given to an individual or group).
Operating within 150 feet of an occupied residence without permission of the owner.
Operating on an ocean beach or sand dune in a manner so as to destroy, damage or break down any beach, dune or dune grass.
Operating in a manner so as to harass or chase wildlife or domestic animals.
Operating on a wetland such as a bog, marsh, or swamp so as to destroy or damage the wetland, if such area has been designated and posted as a protected wetland area.
Operating in Wildlife Management Areas.

Q: What kind of Safety Equipment do I need to operate my Recreational Vehicle?

A: Persons operating or riding on a recreation vehicle shall wear an approved helmet. Each recreation vehicle must also be equipped with an adequate braking system. An adequate muffler designed to reduce unusual or excessive noise and obnoxious fumes is required. Each recreation vehicle must be equipped with and display after sunset, one or more headlights, a red rear light and red rear reflector. Trailers attached to recreation vehicle must have a red rear reflector.

Q: What is Trail Ettiquette?

A: Observing trail etiquette is important, particularly when trails are heavily used. Whenever possible all recreation vehicles shall keep to the right side of trails. Please stay within the trail corridor and respect adjacent private and public land. When passing hikers, horseback riders, and other such trail users, operators shall reduce speed, yield right-of-way, and not pass until it can be accomplished with complete safety. Operators shall not accelerate until beyond 50 feet of such trail users.