USVI Other Vehicle Registrations

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

Beyond standard passenger cars, USVI BMV registers a range of vehicles for road and limited road use: trailers, motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, RVs, and specialty plates including military, antique, and government categories. Each vehicle type has its own fee schedule, plate format, and inspection rules, with island-specific considerations for transport between St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.

Trailers

USVI trailers register at the BMV office on the home island. The registration fee depends on the trailer's gross weight: small utility trailers under 1,500 pounds carry a flat low fee; medium and larger trailers pay weight-based rates. Trailer titles also use form BMV-2; trailers manufactured for resale typically come with a manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO) that the buyer presents to the BMV for first titling. Trailers are subject to the annual safety inspection requirement.

Motorcycles

Motorcycle registration follows the same BMV-3/BMV-2 process as cars. Riders need a Class M endorsement on their USVI driver's license — obtained by passing a separate motorcycle knowledge and skills test. Motorcycle registration fees are typically $20 to $30 annually, lower than passenger vehicle fees. Helmets are required for all riders in USVI regardless of age. Riders should be aware that the territory's narrow roads, tight turns, and steep grades on St. Thomas and St. John demand particular care.

Scooters and mopeds

USVI registers scooters and mopeds for use on public roads. Riders need a Class M endorsement or a learner's authorization depending on the engine size and top speed. Helmets are required. Scooters are popular on St. Thomas and St. John for short-distance commutes; rentals to tourists are also common, with rental agencies handling registration on the rental fleet.

ATVs and off-road vehicles

USVI's ATV regulations are more limited than the U.S. mainland's. ATVs operated on private land typically don't require registration, but ATVs that cross or operate on public roads need a registration and a plate. The BMV examiner reviews each application individually because of the limited use cases on USVI's small-island road network.

RVs and motorhomes

Recreational vehicles are uncommon in USVI because of the territory's geography (no extensive open road system, no inter-island highway). The BMV registers the few RVs and large motorhomes that are imported, applying passenger-vehicle rules at the higher weight classes. Travel trailers register under trailer rules.

Antique and historic plates

USVI offers antique plates for vehicles 25 years or older that are used primarily for exhibitions, parades, club activities, and occasional pleasure driving — not as daily commuters. Antique-plated vehicles carry reduced annual fees compared to standard registration. The plates are popular with classic-car owners on St. Croix and St. Thomas. Vehicles plated as antique are still subject to the territory's liability and UM minimums.

Commercial vehicles and CDL

USVI BMV registers commercial vehicles (CMVs) over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, plus any vehicle that hauls hazardous materials or carries 16 or more passengers. CDL drivers register and renew through the BMV's commercial driver bureau under reciprocity with FMCSA federal rules; federal medical certification is required at every renewal. The CDL infrastructure is concentrated on St. Thomas and St. Croix because of the islands' commercial port activity.

Government and diplomatic plates

USVI government vehicles (territorial agencies, the legislature, the courts) carry distinctive government plates. Federal vehicles (U.S. Park Service, Customs and Border Protection, federal law enforcement) carry standard federal plates issued by the U.S. General Services Administration, not by the USVI BMV.

Specialty and organization plates

USVI offers a smaller catalog of specialty plates than U.S. mainland states, including:

Veteran plates — for verified U.S. military veterans.
"American Paradise" — the standard USVI slogan plate.
Personalized plates — vanity numbers and letters subject to availability and a higher fee.
Disabled person plates — DP-coded plates with handicap parking privileges.

Each specialty plate carries an additional fee. See the BMV office for current plate options. For ongoing renewals on any plate type, follow the standard renewal process. For initial registration, see the car registration page; for related title work, see title transfer.