License plates on at ATV

[Mustangfan2003]

So on my way home to work I was behind a truck with 2 ATV's on a trailer and noticed one of them had a tag on the bike just like a motorcycle.  It was a Massachusetts plates and never saw anything like that.  Is it common in other states to do this?  Seemed odd since it is typically not allowed on public roads.   

[MX793]

Some states permit ATVs to be driven on the road and will issue plates for them.

[Soup DeVille]

You can have them in Michigan if you have a farm or log farm.

[93JC]

For what it's worth they need plates here, and aren't allowed on roads.

[AutobahnSHO]

Some states permit ATVs to be driven on the road and will issue plates for them.

And Germany. Saw one on the highway. In the rain.     

[Catman]

ATV's have to be registered in MA

http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/enforcement/environmental-police/boat-rv-and-snowmobile-registration-bureau/

[Mustangfan2003]

Even if you just drive on private land? 

[Catman]

You don't need to register for private land.

[AutobahnSHO]

Even if you just drive on private land? 

You don't even need to register or insure a car if it's driven only on private land.

[Madman]

For what it's worth they need plates here, and aren't allowed on roads.

If they're not allowed on the road, then what's the point of having a plate?

You don't even need to register or insure a car if it's driven only on private land.

My point, exactly.

[MX793]

If their not allowed on the road, then what's the point of having a plate?



My point, exactly.

Many people take their ATVs on public trails.  They aren't legal to operate on the road in many, if not most, places, but still need to be registered if used on public trails or property.  Same with snowmobiles.

[Soup DeVille]

If they're not allowed on the road, then what's the point of having a plate?



My point, exactly.

Public land which is open to ATVs.

How is this confusing?

[Mustangfan2003]

But in most states you don't need a reregistration and you can drive on public trails, many of them government owned.  Last time I went on a state owned trail the only thing I had to do was let them make a copy of my license and sign my life away. 

[Soup DeVille]

But in most states you don't need a reregistration and you can drive on public trails, many of them government owned.  Last time I went on a state owned trail the only thing I had to do was let them make a copy of my license and sign my life away. 

Some states. Most have some sort of ORV permit that's required, but isn't a registration, just a fee. A minority of states require plates.

[MX793]

But in most states you don't need a reregistration and you can drive on public trails, many of them government owned.  Last time I went on a state owned trail the only thing I had to do was let them make a copy of my license and sign my life away. 

In NY, you don't get plates for your ATV (or snowmobile), but you do need to register it if you are going to operate it on public land/trials.