Do Off Road Vehicles Need To Be Registered?

‍Getting a new off road vehicle is exciting, but don’t jump the gun and ride it in public yet before checking if it needs to be registered.

Off road vehicles need to be registered in most states, but the exact process varies based on where we live. For example, Kentucky is one of the few states that legally does not require a registration to drive off road vehicles in public areas.

Many people think that off-road vehicles like dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs do not need to be registered because they are not street-legal. However, this is not the case, as these vehicles are still considered motor vehicles in the eyes of the law. We explain the policy in each individual state below.

‍Key Takeaways

Nearly all states require off road vehicles to be registered, but there are a few that don’t require it, like Kentucky, Virginia, and Texas to name a few.
Off road vehicles are not allowed on public roads unless they are street-legal and have the proper documentation too.
To register an off road vehicle, contact the DMV, gather all necessary paperwork, pay permit fees, and submit the application.

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‍Do Off Road Vehicles Need To Be Registered?

All off-road vehicles must be registered in states to be allowed to drive in legal and designated areas. These vehicles would also need to become street-legal to drive on highways and public roads.

Any motorized vehicle capable of cross-country travel without needing a road, on or directly over natural terrain, is referred to as an "off-road vehicle." They are also referred to as OHVs or off-highway vehicles.

In many places, a title and registration certificate will not be sufficient for an operator to operate the vehicle. It also requires a sticker or decal with a one or two-year registration time frame in most states.

For example, all OHV decals are valid for one year in Arizona. This decal is issued during the registration process and costs $25. Similar policies apply in all states, but the fee may differ.

How Do You Register Off Road Vehicles?

The registration process is not always easy and can be complicated, especially for someone who doesn't know how the process works. It also varies widely by state, so we will help simplify it as best as possible.

Contact The DMV

First, contact the DMV and set up the necessary appointment to learn all about the state policies. The agent will explain exactly what the vehicle needs, so it’s properly registered and legal to drive off road.

Making an appointment is recommended if possible because the wait at the DMV can be quite long in most states.

Gather The Required Paperwork

Next, gather all of the required paperwork to register the vehicle. This includes the vehicle title, license, bill of sale, and any other required forms of ID or proof of ownership.

This also includes the applications online. They can be printed or filled out online with all information to save time.

Purchase The Necessary Permits, Stickers, or Decals

After the paperwork has been gathered; it’s time to focus on paying the necessary fees and acquiring the permit, sticker, or decal required in the state.

As we explain below, most states require a plate, sticker, or permit to drive an off road vehicle in public areas.

Finish Application

The following is the final step in completing the application and submitting it for approval to get the off-road vehicle registered, so it's now legal to drive. This is where we will provide our signature and contact information.

The process of getting a vehicle registered is quite long and tedious. This information will be sent to the local DMV office for review, and they will let us know if we are approved or not.

Off Road Vehicle Registration By State

All states have different vehicle policies, and the same is true for off road ones. Below is a complete look at the registration, title, and permit requirements for these vehicles in each state.

State	Registration Required?	Title Required?	Permits Required?
Alabama	Registration is optional	No	No
Alaska	Registration is required	No	No
Arizona	Registration is required	Yes	Decals required
Arkansas	Registration is required	Yes	No
California	OHV Registration is required	Yes	Plates required
Colorado	Registration is required	Yes	Permit required
Connecticut	Registration is required	Yes	Plates required
Delaware	Registration is required for 18+	No	Certificate required (3 years)
Florida	Registration is required	Yes	Permit required
Georgia	Registration is required	No	Plates required
Hawaii	Registration is required	Yes	No
Idaho	Registration is required	Yes	Stickers required
Illinois	Registration is required	Yes	No
Indiana	Registration is required	Yes	Permit required

Iowa	Registration is required	Yes	Certificate required
Kansas	Registration is required	Yes	No
Kentucky	Not required	Yes	No
Louisiana	Registration is required	Yes	No
Maine	Registration is required	Yes	No
Maryland	Registration is required	Yes	Stickers required
Massachusetts	Registration is required	Yes	No
Michigan	Registration is required	Yes	Decals required
Minnesota	Registration is required	Yes	No
Mississippi	Registration is required	Yes	Decals & plates required
Missouri	Registration is required	Yes	No
Montana	Registration is required	Yes	No (unless out of state)
Nebraska	Registration is required	Yes	No
Nevada	Registration is required	Yes	Decals required
New Hampshire	Registration is required	Yes	No

New Jersey	Registration is required	Yes	No
New Mexico	Registration is required	Yes	Decals required
New York	Registration is required	Yes	No
North Carolina	Registration is required	Yes	Certificate required
North Dakota	Registration is required	Yes	Permit required
Ohio	Registration is required	Yes	No
Oklahoma	Registration is required	Yes	No
Oregon	Registration is required	Yes	Permit required
Pennsylvania	Registration is required	Yes	Certificate required
Rhode Island	Registration is required	Yes	No

South Carolina	Registration is required	Yes	No
South Dakota	Registration is required	Yes	No
Tennessee	Registration is required	Yes	Plate required
Texas	Not required	Yes	No
Utah	Registration is required	Yes	Stickers
Vermont	Registration is required	Yes	Plate required
Virginia	Registration is optional	Yes (50cc +)	No
Washington	Registration is required	Yes	No
West Virginia	Registration is required	Yes	No
Wisconsin	Registration is required	Yes	Decals & plate required
Wyoming	Registration is required	Yes	Permit required

‍Are Off Road Vehicles Allowed On Public Roads?

Off-road vehicles are not considered street legal because they do not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). There is also the issue of safety and liability.

In addition, off-road vehicles have no protection from traffic and other drivers. This also includes key components like blinkers, brake lights, etc.

Off-road vehicles are typically not street legal because they do not meet federal safety regulations or have been modified to increase their performance capabilities.

However, the exception to this rule includes SUVs or trucks like Jeeps. They can be legal for both public road and off road use because the only primary change needed is the tire type.

Why Do Off-Road Vehicles Need To Be Registered?

Off-road vehicles need to be registered because they are not street-legal and cannot be driven on public roads. It’s also a liability issue to allow unregistered vehicles to drive in most state's off-road areas.

Determine Vehicle Ownership

These vehicles need to be registered to establish vehicle ownership. Any state that doesn't require registration will require something different to track the ownership of the vehicle.