The following is the result of changes to Arizona laws effective January 01, 2009:
Off-Highway Vehicle Decal: A new off-highway vehicle decal is required to be purchased each year for operation of any vehicle operated on unimproved roads, trails and approved use areas not suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicular travel. Examples include: All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), trail motorcycles and dirt bikes. This does not apply to pickup trucks, SUVs, cars and other recreational vehicles. Learn more.
License Plate Holder Law: State law (A.R.S. 28-2354 B) requires that the state name at the top of Arizona license plates must be visible. Any license plate holder or cover that prevents the license plate from being clearly legible, is in violation of this new law.
Title Plate (RV)
The “Off-Road” or “RV” plate that you may have on your OHV is only an indication that the vehicle has been titled in the State of Arizona. It is NOT a registration plate and does not allow you to ride or drive on roads that require your vehicle to be registered (street legal/licensed). However, there are exemptions for incidental use on roads requiring registration (street legal/licensed vehicles). In general, incidental use would be crossing a street or conducting very limited travel on it for the purpose of access to OHV area/trails. Check with the local land management agency for information on road status. (Photos courtesy Arizona Game & Fish 
)
Registration Plate (MC)
State motor vehicle laws apply on many backcountry roads; that means your vehicle must be registered and you must be licensed. A good rule of thumb is if a passenger car can use the road, your vehicle will need to be registered. You also need an OHV Decal to operate on unimproved roads, trails and approved use areas not suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicular travel if your vehicle meets the criteria listed below.
Thanks to a collaborative effort between a broad coalition of OHV enthusiasts, sportsmen, conservationists, elected officials and the public, new laws that will help better manage Arizona’s rapidly growing OHV use will take effect Jan. 1, 2009. Among other provisions, the new law requires an annual purchase of an Off-Highway Vehicle Decal for the operation of any ATV or OHV in Arizona that meets both the following criteria:
Why is the new law needed?
OHV use in Arizona has exploded (347% increase since 1998), outpacing the existing funding to manage that growth, protect wildlife habitat, and help maintain recreational access. Revenues generated from the new OHV Decal user fee will be used to help ensure sustainable opportunities and natural resource protection by bolstering funding and grant programs that pay for trail maintenance, signage, maps, facility development, habitat damage mitigation, education, and enforcement.
What does the new law do?
What is the OHV Decal?
The OHV Decal is a sticker that must be purchased annually to allow your OHV to be operated within Arizona. The decal will need to be applied to the upper left corner of your license plate, and your license plate will need to be visibly displayed on the rear of your OHV. The dollars collected through the purchase of the OHV Decal are considered an OHV user fee and apply to all OHVs meeting the bulleted criteria in the following paragraph. The OHV Decal should not be confused with “registration.” Registration is required if you want to your OHV to be “street legal” (i.e., operate it on paved and improved roads and streets).
What is considered an off-highway vehicle for the purpose of obtaining the OHV Decal?
An off-highway vehicle is any motor vehicle operated on unimproved roads, trails and approved use areas not suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicular travel. Examples include: ATVs, UTVs, trail motorcycles and dirt bikes. The requirement to purchase an OHV Decal only applies to OHVs meeting both of the following criteria:
Pickup trucks, SUVs, cars and other recreational vehicles are not required (and will not be able) to obtain an OHV decal. All other regulations apply.
How do I obtain the OHV Decal and what does it cost?
The OHV Decal is available for purchase online at ServiceArizona.com or at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The cost is $25.00. The decal is valid for one year. It is the ATV/OHV owner’s responsibility to purchase subsequent year decals.
Title, License Plate, OHV Decal and Registration: What steps do I need to take to be in compliance with the law?
or at an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The OHV Decal shall be affixed to the upper left corner of the license plate.How do I register my OHV to be “street legal”? (i.e., to operate it on paved or maintained roads) Depending on how you plan to operate your OHV in Arizona, you have two options:
If you operate primarily off-highway, then your vehicle is eligible for a reduced Vehicle License Tax (VLT) of $3.00 and waiver of the registration fee. The following requirements must be satisfied:
If you operate primarily on improved roads and highways (such as city driving), then you are required to register your vehicle, including payment of all fees, through the standard registration process. You must also satisfy the following requirements:
My OHV is currently registered for highway use and is street legal, but I primarily use it off highway. When can I get the reduced Vehicle License Tax (VLT) and the registration fee waived?
At the time of your vehicle registration renewal, you will be eligible for the reduced VLT and the registration fee waived if your qualifying vehicle has a valid OHV Decal. There are no refunds for VLT or registration and you WILL still need to purchase the OHV Decal to legally operate in Arizona as of Jan. 1, 2009.
I lost my license plate and/or my OHV Decal, now what do I do?
If it is lost, stolen or mutilated, then you may purchase a replacement for a $5.00 fee at an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider.
I own a truck and would like to purchase the OHV Decal to help support the program. Can I do that?
What equipment is required to operate my OHV in Arizona?
(
36 KB PDF) What equipment is required to street legal my OHV?
In order to register an OHV in Arizona, it must have the following equipment:
Contact the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division for more information on the documentation required, equipment, and inspections needed to register OHVs for “street or highway” use at (800) 251-5866. Contact adjoining states for information concerning what is required when riding or driving in those states.
RESPONSIBLE RIDING LAWS:
NO SIGN REMOVAL: No removal or placement of regulatory signs. OHV Volunteers work hard to repair the damage to help keep this site open.
RIDING DOUBLE LAW: Can only carry what the vehicle is designed for while operating on streets and highways. Civil traffic; ARS 28-892
EYE PROTECTION: Required when operating on streets and highways. Civil traffic; ARS 28-964A
Helmets are a great idea for everyone and are required for persons under the age of 18 years old. (Photo courtesy Brian Lawsonby)HELMETS: A person who is under 18 years of age may not operate or ride on and Off-Highway Vehicle on public or State Land unless the person is wearing protective headgear that is properly fitted and fastened, that is designed for motorized vehicle use and that has a minimum United States Department of Transportation Safety Rating.
RULES & REQUIREMENTS: Check with the appropriate agency about rules and requirements. Each agency that manages land in Arizona (i.e., Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Arizona State Land Department, etc.) has its own rules, regulations and laws to enforce. Rules and laws change. Before riding or driving on lands, check with the appropriate agency about rules and requirements. For a map showing land ownership status visit the Arizona State Land Department website or contact the Explore Arizona Outdoor Information Center (602) 417-9300 or email explorearizona(at)blm.gov. Most areas restrict OHV use to established routes. Some OHV sites have seasonal closures to address erosion, watershed, and wildlife habitat protection concerns.
NATIONAL FOREST REGULATIONS: The policy for driving motorized vehicles on this National Forest is tied to the State of Arizona's motor vehicle policy. On all state, county, and those forest roads marked by a horizontally-numbered route marker (i.e. 249), the motorized vehicle and its driver must be “street legal” and licensed. On unmarked forest roads or forest roads that are marked by a vertical route number, then the driver and the vehicle do not need to be licensed.
Vertical Signs: Forest roads with vertically-numbered route markers mean you can ride with an RV plate and Decal; or MC plate and OHV Decal.
Horizontal Signs: Forest roads with horizontally-numbered route markers mean you have to be "street legal" (MC plate and OHV Decal).
CAN I OPERATE ON STATE TRUST LAND?
CROSSING MAINTAINED STREETS WITH AN UNREGISTERED/ UNLICENSED VEHICLE: Local authorities may have jurisdiction on which paved streets and highways you can cross while riding or driving a vehicle that is not registered. Check with your local authorities such as the County Sheriff about current local regulations. If allowed to cross on a paved road, cross at a 90-degree angle where there are no obstructions and good visibility. Local authorities (such as the County Sheriff) have jurisdiction on which maintained streets and highways you can cross while riding or driving a vehicle that is not registered.
Where can I find more information?
Remember to leave no trace and “Nature Rules: Stay on Roads and Trails”.
NON-RESIDENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION and OHV DECAL: Whether an off-highway vehicle (OHV) operator is legal to operate an OHV in Arizona depends on the state that they come from. If the machine follows the OHV registration/insurance and sticker requirements of the operator’s home State then you may operate in Arizona for 30 consecutive days and you do not need an Arizona title plate, Arizona registration plate, or OHV decal to ride on unmaintained, existing, open, authorized routes on public lands in Arizona. You must abide by Arizona laws, rules, and regulations of course. For example, if you ride on State Trust Land you will need a permit from the Arizona State Land Department.
NON-RESIDENT CROSSING MAINTAINED ROADS: If you ride/drive on a “graded dirt road” (such as a maintained county road) and you and your vehicle are not properly registered for street and highway use then you will be subject to a citation. Arizona residents are also subject to citation with an Arizona MVD Title Plate (RV – Recreation Vehicle plate). This is because a title plate is only an indication that the vehicle has been titled in Arizona, it is NOT a registration plate (MC). There are exceptions for incidental travel on roads requiring registration. In general, incidental use would be crossing a street or conduct very limited travel on it for the purpose of access to OHV area/trails.
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