Off-Highway Vehicle Decals
All off-highway vehicles (OHVs) made by the manufacturer primarily for use over unimproved terrain and that weigh 2,500 pounds or less are required by law to display a valid OHV Decal to operate on public and state trust lands. This includes “street legal” vehicles that meet these two requirements. You must display the OHV Decal in the upper left hand corner of the license plate.
The Arizona OHV Decal is issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). The OHV Decal is available online at www.servicearizona.com or at any MVD office or authorized MVD third-party service provider. Always purchase your OHV Decal first in transactions with MVD — if the OHV is operated primarily off-highway, you may be eligible for a reduced vehicle license tax and a waived registration fee.
The OHV Decal is valid for one year from the date of purchase. For example, if you purchased your OHV Decal in January 2018, you have until Jan. 31, 2019, to purchase the renewal OHV Decal.
Get more information about registration and the different license plates in the OHV FAQ section.
Nonresident OHV Decals
If a nonresident meets all of the following requirements, he or she is exempt from purchasing and displaying an OHV Decal:
- The person is not a resident of Arizona — and —
- The person owns the vehicle — and —
- The vehicle displays a current off-highway vehicle user indicia (sticker/decal) or registration (license plate) from the person’s state of residency — and —
- The vehicle is not in Arizona for more than 30 consecutive days.
An OHV Decal program for nonresidents is being developed but does not yet have a start date. Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill on April 11, 2018, stating that a person who is not an Arizona resident and who displays an OHV decal or registration from their state is no longer exempt from the requirement to have an OHV decal issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation to operate an off-highway vehicle in the state. The rules and details of this requirement are being developed.
Where Do the Decal Dollars Go?
Each sticker costs $25. 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.
