Free North Dakota ATV Bill of Sale

North Dakota ATV Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Sales Tax Details

5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax applies to ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles when titled in North Dakota — the bill of sale establishes the price for MVET. NDGF collects MVET at title application on behalf of the state. Many buyers mistakenly believe off-road vehicles are sales-tax-free; they are not.

Exemption: Immediate-family transfers (spouse, parent, child, sibling) are exempt with affidavit. ND has a unique exemption for snowmobiles used exclusively in farming or ranching operations — worth asking about if the machine is genuinely an ag tool. Inheritance transfers are also exempt.

Inspection Requirements

No state inspection for ATVs, UTVs, or snowmobiles. ND does require all snowmobiles operated on public lands or trails to display current registration and (for non-residents on grant-in-aid trails) a trail pass.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) — not the same agency that handles cars in North Dakota. Plan for separate filings.

North Dakota ATV Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Record the make, model, year, VIN (frame VIN, often stamped on the frame near the steering stem on ATVs), and engine number.
2. Confirm the title is an ND Game and Fish title (or out-of-state equivalent) — not a NDDOT MVD title, which would indicate a mistake.
3. Inspect the frame for signs of welding or VIN tampering — stolen ATVs are a real ND problem, especially in oilfield country.
4. Submit the title transfer application to NDGF, not the county DMV — applying at the wrong office wastes a trip.
5. Pay 5% MVET on the sale price; family-transfer affidavit if applicable.
6. For snowmobiles used on grant-in-aid trails, register and obtain the appropriate trail pass before the season.

Common Pitfalls

• Going to the county MVD office to title an ATV — they will redirect you to NDGF and you will lose half a day.
• Buying an ATV with an out-of-state title and discovering the prior state issued a non-titled registration only — some states (e.g., MN historically) do not title smaller ATVs, complicating ND titling.
• Skipping the VIN check on a used machine bought out of an oilfield camp — these get stolen and resold across state lines.
• Ignoring the snowmobile-in-farming exemption when it actually applies and overpaying MVET.
• Forgetting that operating an unregistered snowmobile on public trails is a citable offense, and the registration is what proves your title is valid.

Pro Tip

NDGF, not NDDOT, for ATVs and snowmobiles. Get the agency right, get the price on the BOS right, and pay the 5% MVET — then go ride.

North Dakota ATV Bill of Sale — FAQs