Section 25.17. Equipment

1. All snowmobiles operating within the state of
  New York shall be equipped with:
    (a) Head lights. At least  one  white  or  amber  head-lamp  having  a
  minimum  candlepower  of  sufficient  intensity  to  reveal  persons and
  vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred feet ahead  during  hours
  of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions.
    (b)   Tail  light.  At  least  one  red  tail-lamp  having  a  minimum
  candlepower of sufficient intensity  to  exhibit  a  red  light  plainly
  visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear during hours of
  darkness under normal atmospheric conditions.
    (c) Brakes. A brake system in good mechanical condition.
    (d)  Reflector  material.  Reflector  material  of  a  minimum area of
  sixteen square inches mounted on each side of the cowling.  Registration
  numbers must be reflectorized, and such numbers or  decorative  material
  may be included in computing the required sixteen square inch area.
    (e) Mufflers. An adequate muffler system in good working condition. On
  and  after  June first, nineteen seventy-two, no snowmobile manufactured
  after June first, nineteen seventy-two shall be sold or offered for sale
  unless it is equipped in such a way as to limit noise  produced  by  the
  snowmobile  to  not more than eighty-two decibels as measured on the "A"
  scale at fifty feet. On and after June first, nineteen seventy-five,  no
  such  snowmobile  manufactured  after  June first, nineteen seventy-five
  shall be sold or offered for sale unless it is equipped in such a way as
  to limit noise produced by the snowmobile to not more than seventy-eight
  decibels on such scale. On and after June  first,  nineteen  eighty,  no
  such snowmobile manufactured after June first, nineteen eighty, shall be
  sold or offered for sale unless it is equipped in such a way as to limit
  noise produced by the snowmobile to not more than seventy-three decibels
  on  such  scale.  Should  the  federal government adopt snowmobile noise
  level standards different from those contained  in  this  paragraph  and
  require  that  the  state  conform  thereto,  the  commissioner shall be
  authorized to adopt rules and regulations superseding  the  noise  level
  requirements  of  this  paragraph  to  achieve  compliance  with federal
  standards.  No snowmobile shall be modified by any person in any  manner
  that shall amplify or otherwise increase total noise emission to a level
  greater  than  that emitted by the snowmobile as originally constructed,
  regardless of date of manufacture.
    2. Inspection and  testing.  The  commissioner  may  adopt  rules  and
  regulations with respect to the inspection and testing of snowmobiles.
    3. No person shall have for sale, sell or offer for sale in this state
  any  snowmobile which fails to comply with the provisions of subdivision
  one, or which does not comply with the specifications for such equipment
  required by the rules and regulations  of  the  commissioner  after  the
  effective date of such rules and regulations.
    4.  No  person  shall operate an authorized ambulance, police or civil
  defense snowmobile as an emergency vehicle unless it  is  equipped  with
  one  or  more  lighted,  red or combination red or white lights which is
  revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or  constantly  moving  light
  having  a  minimum  candle  power  of sufficient intensity to be plainly
  visible from a distance of five hundred feet  in  all  directions  under
  normal atmospheric conditions.
    5.  No  person  shall operate a snowmobile or ride as a passenger on a
  snowmobile unless he or she is wearing a protective  helmet  of  a  type
  approved  by  the  commissioner,  except  when operating a snowmobile or
  riding as a  passenger  on  private  lands  owned  by  the  operator  or
  passenger, or to which the operator or passenger has a contractual right
  other  than  as  a  member  of  a  club or association, and for which no
  compensation is paid to the owner with respect to such operation.