Laws / Safety
California offers some of the greatest off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities in the nation. The vehicular recreation areas found within the State Park System, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, local city and counties, and private partners offer an extraordinary amount of diverse and remarkable terrain for recreationists to explore.
Of course with the opportunity and privilege to recreate, comes the responsibility to protect those opportunities for yourself, other outdoor enthusiasts, and the natural resources that make these public outdoor spaces unique.
Know Before You Go. Please take the time to review the information on this webpage prior to leaving to your outdoor destination.
OHV Bulletins
2024
2022
2021
2020
2019
Other OHV Information
NEW ARIZONA NON-RESIDENT OHV DECAL
New Law Pertaining to Transportation of Unregistered OHVs
Download Law Enforcement Bulletin [PDF posted 12/2/14]
Laws Pertaining to Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROV)
AB 1266, introduced by Assembly Members Nielsen and Cook to amend existing law, was signed into law on September 25, 2012. This law eliminates the requirement of a passenger to have both feet flat on the floorboard of a recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV). The bill also delays the implementation of the prohibition whereas a person operating a ROV shall not allow a passenger to occupy a separate seat location not designed and provided by the manufacturer for a passenger.
AB 1595, sponsored by the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) and carried by Assemblyman Paul Cook, was signed into law by Governor Brown on July 24, 2012 and went into effect on January 1, 2013.
- OHMVR Public Information Bulletin (October 2013) [PDF]
- Full Text of SB 234 [PDF]
- Letter to the Senate Journal re: SB 234 [PDF]
- Link to Senate Journal (SB 234 letter starts on page number 1490)
- OHMVR Public Information Bulletin (September 2012) [PDF]
- Full Text of AB 1595 [PDF]
- Full Text of AB 1266 [PDF]
- Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA)
OHMVR Laws Book
- OHV Laws Book - 2018 [PDF]
OHMVR Law Enforcement
SB 249 Information - 2017
Comparison: SB 742 and SB 249
Download the Comparison Document: SB 742 and SB 249
Single Seat ROVs are Not ATVs
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has recognized that some single seat Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs) are being registered by DMV staff as All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). They have submitted a memorandum to all offices defining the differences and mandating that these vehicles be registered in strict compliance with CVC 500 and CVC 111 (See VIN 2016-01).