During my 273 mile ride this past weekend I was stopped for a Vt state police sled safety check.Went through the usuall reg.check,driver license,etc,....I was asked to to show proof of insurance.OOOOPS,I didnt have my card on me and the police had no other option but give me a $597 ticket for failure to show proof of insurance.It's no big deal because they said if I can send them a copy of my insurance card with the ticket,they will throw-out the ticket.Basically they use to tell guys to just send in a copy of the insurance card but,nobody did so they said writing out tickets will make them.Really nice police officers but,one that makes me pissed is the amount of careless riders tossing empty beer cans on the side of the trail.The Police as well as the Feds who patrol the Wildlife Refuge trails are documenting this careless behavior.So,to those who dont care about riding on Federal Land,continue to do so and we will lose those trails!!!!!!!!!!!

some of the feds for the Silvio O Conte refuge (lewis pond, much of trail 102) can be tight asses. piss them off with litter they will love to shut us down. we need to be responsible.

Do the State Police still hand out the Safety Stickers? Have not seen them in a long while.

Yes,they still put stickers on your sled.My father had a sticker put on his sled.They didn't bother checking my sled because it was brand new.

Freaken cops,
I always stop and talk to them even when they don't pull me over. I tell ya it surprizes the crap out of them. I haven't met a shithead yet. Plus I like to see if they have a decible meter and test my sled out. Its over by 5db.

As for trash thats freaken bullshit.

Last weekend I was following my kid... traveling down the trail and come across a yellow tie down strap...hmmm that looks like mine, then a spring water bottle I said thats definitly his. So stopped and picked them up and when I caught up with him...I freaken threw'em at him and told him to buckle his shit in and take up the back.

Motto of the story is make sure your stuff is secure.

the litter is bullshit , if a full water bottle fit on ya sled , so cant an empty one

silvio conte refuge ? he was a senator from massachusetts, NO ?

yeah, something like that. the refuge is actually in different areas all over the state and into Mass.... it's in pieces. check it out on your trail map. the area i'm talking about is just north of IP and is all shaded in either light orange or light green, or something like that. i don't have this years map yet so not exactly sure. this specific part of the refuge is between 22-24,000 acres, though.

Hey snojockey,

When you showed proof of insurance did you get any kind of sticker from the police? One thing that annoys me about the VT checkpoints now is that you can't just cruise by slowly/stop for a second so they can check out your stickers and let your carry on. You need to dig through your paperwork to find your insurance card. On busy days I have seen checkpoints with 30 sleds/riders all pulled over digging through their documentation. It was a serious clusterfuck. I wish there was some kind of proof of incurance sticker for your sled.

Does anyone laminate their insurance card and place it on their sled somewhere?

hilltopper

yep...it only takes a few few stupid assholes to ruin it for ALL of us

if i ever see someone doing that, i give them shit about it....so should everyone

I haven't thought about that for my insurance card but a few summers ago I a bought Waverunner to fill in days I didn't go on my boat. Here in CT you need to have a PWC license and after being stopped four times in one day to check to see if I had a license I thought about copying, enlarging and laminating my license to put on my ski vest for everyone to see. Instead I sold the Waverunner.

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you need your proof of insurance to get your VAST??? Just a stupid question

I thought I remember hearing that last year but I don't think I was ever asked for proof of insurance when purchasing VAST. I sure would like to know for sure though...

You do not need to show proof of liability insurance at point of registration. The state police will ask to see it at a check point.

you have to show proof of ins. to register in VT thats the law. It makes no sense that they ask you for the card if your sticker is in plain view. This year you can put your sticker on your tunnel. Last year I came across some guys that got tickets for having them there ($125.00 fine).

good idea i should make a copy of all my registrations and laminate it put it on my sled on the hood so i dont have to dig it all out.

Jason :linemup:

there is a little pocket in the back of the seat (in the trunk) on my GSX that is made for registration, insurance card and TMA - I keep it all in the registration envelope and in a "Ziplock" sandwich bag - keeps it together and dry! Wild life refuge area was where I ran into the State Troops on Sunday - Junction of trails 102 and 96 - nice guys, just out for the day on us tax payers!

My sled is registered in NH,not VT......It really didn't matter if they could see your stickers because they were yanking everybody who was riding trail 102.

A Phazer that I bought off a friend in VT was already registered with the state (renewed through the mail) without being insured so I would say you definitely do not need to be insured to register. However, I still am not sure if you need proof of insurance to purchase your VAST sticker. Like I said, I never remember showing the POI last year when purchasing my VAST sticker.

hilltopper

Oh yes it does make sense. What if the guy riding around on my stolen sled is stopped. The stickers are all there but none of the paperwork. According to the stickers the sled is registered and has a VAST TMA, but he most certainly does not.

Without the paperwork they will have to do whatever they do, but its sure a lot better than waving a guy on a stolen sled through because he has his stickers....

My .02

Proof of insurance only needed when being stopped by the cops, not needed to get TMA.

What is proof? Allstate wont issue an id card like they do for autos. I carry a copy of the policy summary on me in place of the id.

As long as it shows your sled info (VIN) and your name on there, you should be all set.

poo handlebar pad has a pouch , just for that

My insurance doesn't issue cards either so I had them email me a letter stating what I have for coverage...works slick as sheat.

allstate does indeed issue fs21 cards.
If VAST required proof of insurance to get vasted, that would solve all the bs trail checks. !!

I HEARD that the reason they don't require proof of insurance when you get your Reg or TMA is that the dealers/retailers that provide this service don't want the liability of verifying whether someone's info is correct/legit. I can understand this reasoning.

I'm also assuming that they're trying to avoid the situation where someone makes the first payment to get the ID card just to get their reg or TMA and then stops paying or cancels the policy.

I'd much rather have it this way then have them change things so that the only way to register and/or get a TMA was to go to the local DMV, town hall or other "official" location. That would be a royal pain in the ass!

I HEARD that the reason they don't require proof of insurance when you get your Reg or TMA is that the dealers/retailers that provide this service don't want the liability of verifying whether someone's info is correct/legit. I can understand this reasoning.


Well said DJFS7 it is hard enough to verify resident/non resident property owner/non resident :fluffy: weeza

VAST should eliminate the non-resident landowner TMA. No matter how much effort is put into explaining the deal, numerous TMAs are sold incorrectly which is a pain in the a-- for the club treasurer to chase down.

I know we've discussed the Insurance/VAST deal :banghead: ... that stuff I have.

What I want to know is WHAT are they looking for on your slead as far as safety? The basic lights / kill switch type deal? Or is there more?

Also, besides the standard belt/plugs/tow strap...what else are people carrying with them?

I've never seen them look for anything other than reg, TMA and insurance but I'm sure they're also looking at headlights (no light covers) and brakes (you stopped for them so your brakes must be working???). They never actually seemed to be looking at the sled very much. More of a document check than anything.

Now, if you pulled up with a really loud sled, they might want to check under the hood to see if it's an aftermarket silencer. I heard they were going to start enforcing the law about that.

In addition to the things you mentioned, I also carry extra oil and a siphon hose. I really should also start carrying some matches, a first aid kit and a flashlight.

:banana: hot dogs and marshmallows and an extra pair of gloves :fluffy:

I carry the card and a copy of the policy. Ct doesn't require as much insurance as VT. I had to up my coverage for VT, now I figure I'd better show proof of the $$$. All of my paper work fits in a small snack size zip lock bag.

when i got my TMA 3 weeks ago the guy in the shop said he doesnt hand any out unless you have your ins. card with you. I did three sleds and had to show ins. for every one.

Careful with the matches with the cracked gas tank syndrome on Firecats you could blow yerself up... :banghead:

snojockey i must of missed the troopers, rode through that area a few times, I bought my insurance online the night before heading up to the NEK and only costs 65 bucks for the year, to meet VT's min requirements. When i printed the policy out i printed a few copies and keep one in my map bag, all of my registartions are laminated since i have destroyed a few in Ziplock bags, they don't hold up very well with all the bouncing around in the bag. Anyone know any places to buy the complete VT Vast map other than snail mail from vast directly?

The law does not require you to show proof of insurance prior to purchasing a TMa. I have never been asked for my insurance card prior to buyinh a TMA. Nobody I ride with(10 of us) has been asked eithier.

F7SNO-You can get the 06' Vast map at Kingdom Cat,at least that's where I bought mine.I rarely use a trail map other than to keepup with each yr's trail closures......Hey you gotta' post that video you made.I guess I have made the "Bigtime show" knowing that I have been caught on film riding the NEK! :banana:HA HA.How long is the actual video?

i ve got just over two hours of footage, i will post up a few sections of the vid shortly, you make a breif appearance/ fly by lol

snojockey here ya go http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/inde...cmd=si&img=4075

F7......That clip made my entire weekend!!!!That's me alright.That's some really funny shit.By the looks of the video,my father needs a few more mods added to his sled.

Glad you liked and i'm glad i found you online Small world, gettin ready to post the next clip right now heres the link http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/inde...cmd=si&img=4077

F7-I remember meeting your group on 106.I believe you were riding with a small pack of Firecats.I thought there was green 04' in there not sure though.I know I didn't signal that I had another rider behind me.If I had noticed your 8 sled,I probably would have turned around.My father was a big Dale sr. and has naturally become a JR. fan.He def. would have gotten a kick out of your sled!!

maybe i'll see ya again planning on going up next weekend if the conditions are ok, yes two 04 firecats a 98 zr 500 and my 03 #8

how old do you have to be to ride in vt. ?
my 13 year old son wants to ride solo.

In order for him to ride the trails in VT he would have to pass the saftey coarse. It is wurth doing.

From the VAST office

• Individuals 12 years of age or older, must have taken a certified safety course and carry that certification with them to be presented upon demand of a law enforcement officer.

• Individuals 12 years of age, but not yet sixteen years of age, must be directly supervised by an adult, at least 18 years of age, while traveling across or on a plowed public highway.

• Children eight years of age, but not yet 12, may operate a snowmobile on the VAST trail system without taking the safety course as long as they are under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian who accepts full liability for the child's actions and the child is not allowed to operate on or across a plowed public right-of-way.

• Children under the age of eight may not operate a snowmobile on the VAST trail system at any time.

Each six-hour course covers the basics of snowmobiling. You will learn about troubleshooting, basic maintenance, how to trailer your snowmobile, cold weather survival techniques, basic first aid and proper riding techniques. You will also find out how to join a snowmobile club and where to find what the trail conditions are anywhere in Vermont. Finally, the rules of the road and the snowmobilers' code of ethics will help guide you to a safe, enjoyable time on the trails this winter.

iv been riding with my youngest daughter for 4 years now she is 14 and took the free corse last saterday pased the test after with a 98 the way the state is clamping down i didnt dare go another year without the course under her belt her words daaad itss booooooooorriing you already taught me everything they were teaching . but shes leagle now so its all good. :banana: :div20: