Off-Highway Vehicle Decals
All off-highway vehicles (OHV) designed by the manufacturer are primarily for use over unimproved terrain. Those vehicles weigh 2,500 pounds or less, and are required by law to display a valid OHV decal to operate on public and state trust lands in Arizona. This includes “street legal” vehicles.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has a resident off-highway vehicle decal renewal notice program. This program allows Arizona residents to sign up to receive an email reminder that their resident OHV decal sticker is about to expire. Sign up to receive your notice
Resident OHV Decal
Arizona residents can purchase an OHV decal for $25 (plus a processing fee) through the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) offices statewide, an authorized third-party MVD service provider or online at www.servicearizona.com.
The OHV decal is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Residents must display the OHV decal in the upper left hand corner of the license plate. For more information about registration and different license plate types, visit the OHV FAQ web page.
Nonresident OHV Decal
As of Sept. 1, 2019, the state of Arizona requires nonresidents wanting to operate their OHV within the state to purchase a nonresident OHV decal. The decal must be purchased prior to riding an OHV within the state.
How to Purchase a Non-resident OHV Decal
The non-resident OHV decal can be purchased through a portal account for $25 plus a $5 dollar processing fee. The non-resident decal is valid for one year from the date of purchase. Create a portal account
Locations to ride for non-residents
A non-resident OHV decal by itself only allows you to ride on non-maintained roads and trails. The National Forests consider 3-digit, horizontally numbered roads as “maintained,” unless otherwise signed. The Bureau of Land Management only considers county roads as maintained. A valid OHV decal allows the crossing of state trust lands, but a recreation permit is required for all other activities. A recreation permit can be purchased at www.land.az.gov.
“Street Legal” registration is required to drive on roads that meet the definition of a highway. Highways are generally defined in the Arizona Revised Statutes as roads that are maintained by a government agency and open to the public for the purposes of conventional two-wheel drive vehicular travel (see A.R.S. 28-1171 for exact definition). If you are driving your OHV on pavement, or a graveled, graded road, then you are on a highway and need to register your OHV as “street legal.” Incidental use of highways, such as crossings or driving a short distance to access another trail is permitted.
If your home state or province does not have a “street legal” registration program for OHV’s, and you wish to operate your OHV on roads that meet the definition of a highway, then you will need to register your OHV with the AZ Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). The registration process for “street legal” operation is the same for an OHV as it is for a regular vehicle. There are additional equipment requirements for “street legal” registration along with a driver’s license and insurance requirement. Visit www.servicearizona.com for information on registering your OHV through the Motor Vehicle Division.
Nonresidents with multiple machines must purchase additional decals — each OHV must have its own decal. Nonresidents must display the decal on the left rear quarter panel of OHVs with/ three or more wheels, or on the left fork leg on two-wheeled vehicles.
- Decals are not transferable between OHVs and each machine must have its own sticker.
- The nonresident OHV decal will be mailed within two to three weeks from the date of purchase. Purchasers can show their receipt (or a screenshot of it) for up to 30 days as proof of decal purchase. Owners/riders must have the receipt readily available if requested by law enforcement or until they receive their decal(s).
- Exemptions can be found in ARS 28-1178 and include those participating in OHV special events, operating on private land, loading or unloading from a vehicle, during a period of emergency if directed by a peace officer or if it displays a valid dealer license plate.
- Decals shall be displayed on the driver’s side of the vehicle as shown on the decal paperwork that they will receive with their decals.
Where Do the Decal Dollars Go?
Funding raised by the decal program supports OHV opportunities and rider education in the state. Thirty percent of the funds collected go into the state’s Highway User Revenue Fund, which is distributed to counties and cities for road and highway maintenance. The remaining 70 percent of the funds are split as follows:
- 60 percent to Arizona State Parks for grants and agreements, trail construction, development and maintenance, signage and maps.
- 35 percent to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for law enforcement, education and outreach.
- 5 percent to the Arizona State Land Department for mitigation, signage and enforcement.
