Nonresident OHV Use Permits

About Nonresident OHV Use Permits

All vehicles operated off-highway on public lands in California are required to be (1) street-licensed or (2) registered as an off-highway vehicle (OHV). Purchase of a California Nonresident permit is required:

  1. If you are visiting California from another state and your vehicle does not have a current registration from your home state, you must purchase a California Nonresident OHV Use Permit before you recreate on public lands.
  2. If your state of residence requires residents of California, who have valid OHV registration/identification (green or red sticker registration), to purchase a non-resident permit to recreate in your home state (see Off-Highway Vehicle Information Bulletin 21-1) 
  3. The Arizona street licensed OHVs are required to purchase a Nonresident Permit to recreate on public lands in California.

A title sticker or title plate is not registration. Additional information is available on the FAQs web page. The Nonresident OHV Use Permit fee is $30. To locate a vendor, please download the vendor list PDF listed below.

The 2025 nonresident permits will be valid from the date of sale through December 31, 2025.

California
Non-Resident Off-Highway Vehicle Use Permits

 Permits for 2025 Non-Resident Off-Highway Vehicles are available now!

Non-California residents must comply with the California Air Resources Board Red Sticker riding season requirements. An Off-Highway Vehicle Information Bulletin explains the background behind the change.
 
To learn more about the program, please contact a local Ranger or the OHMVR Division at:

California State Parks, OHMVR Division
Nonresident OHV Use Permit Program

Physical Address: 715 P St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296
Phone Number: (916) 324-4442
Email: ohvinfo@parks.ca.gov

Arizona Visitors

Please refer to the Arizona OHV Decal Program web page for updated information.