Licensing and Registration Requirements for ATVs / UTVs / Motorbikes / Specialty Off-highway Vehicles
ATVs, UTVs, motorbikes and Specialty Off-highway Vehicles are required to purchase Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) registration stickers
Restricted vehicle license plates are optional for owners of ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes and can be purchased by those individuals who choose to travel on local jurisdiction roads open to OHV use.
January 1, 2010, the OHV registration sticker fee is $12 and is required for all ATVs, UTVs, motorbikes and Specialty Off-highway Vehicles. You will be able to purchase OHV registration stickers from any vendor authorized by IDPR which will include local OHV dealers.
2010 Fee Increase Details
One dollar of the increased fee will go to County Sheriffs for OHV related law enforcement and the other dollar will go the Idaho Department of Lands for OHV related activities. The fee increases were driven by user concerns regarding future access for OHV recreation. The remainder of the fee will be used by IDPR as it traditionally has to pay for the OHV Program and defer the costs associated with administering the OHV registration sticker. Please click here to see the OHV Programs funded by the sticker.
Definitions
“Motorbike” means any self-propelled two (2) wheeled motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, excluding tractor, designed for or capable of traveling off developed roadways and highways and also referred to as trailbikes, enduro bikes, trials bikes, motocross bikes or dual purpose motorcycles.
“All-terrain vehicle (ATV)” means any recreation vehicle with three (3) or more tires, under nine hundred (900) pounds and fifty (50) inches or less in width, having a wheelbase of sixty-one (61) inches or less, has handlebar steering and a seat designed to be straddled by the operator.
“Utility type vehicle (UTV)” means any recreational motor vehicle other than an ATV, motorbike or snowmobile as defined in this section designed for and capable of travel over designated roads, traveling on four (4) or more tires, maximum width less than seventy-four (74) inches, maximum weight less than two thousand (2,000) pounds, and having a wheelbase of one hundred ten (110) inches or less. A utility type vehicle must have a minimum width of fifty (50) inches, a minimum weight of at least nine hundred (900) pounds or a wheelbase of over sixty-one (61) inches. Utility type vehicle does not include golf carts, vehicles specially designed to carry a disabled person, implements of husbandry as defined in section 49-110(2), Idaho Code, or vehicles otherwise registered under title 49, Idaho Code.
“Specialty off-highway vehicle” means any vehicle manufactured, designed or constructed exclusively for off-highway operation that does not fit the definition of an all-terrain vehicle, utility type vehicle or motorbike as defined in section 67-7101 Idaho Code.
"Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground that meets the federal motor vehicle safety standards as originally designed, and includes a converted motorbike, but does not include a motor-driven cycle, a motorbike, a tractor or a moped as defined in 49-114(11).
Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding the new law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a Specialty off-highway vehicle?
A. Any vehicle manufactured designed or constructed exclusively for off-highway operation that does not fit the definition of an ATV, UTV or motorbike as defined in Section 67-7101 Idaho Code.
Q. I am an Idaho resident. What are the registration requirements to operate my Specialty off-highway vehicle, ATV, UTV or motorbike off-highway in Idaho?
A. All Specialty off-highway vehicles, ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes must display a current OHV registration sticker to operate in Idaho.
Q. Where does the OHV registration sticker allow me to operate?
A. You may operate off-highway (designated OHV riding areas, areas open to cross country motorized travel, designated motorized trail systems, motocross tracks, sand dunes, etc.). You may also operate on roads on state lands and federal lands that are not part of the highway system of Idaho open to such use. There are additional requirements when operating on roads. Click here for additional information on where OHVs are allowed to operate in Idaho.
Q. My kids don’t have driver’s licenses. Where can they operate?
A. They may legally operate off-highway as defined above. They may also operate on roads on state lands and federal lands that are not a part of the highway system of Idaho open to such use, if supervised by a licensed adult operator (18+).
Q. Where do I purchase an OHV registration sticker?
A. In addition to any vendor authorized by IDPR which will include local OHV dealers the IDPR OHV registration stickers will be available online in 2010.
Q. What happened to the restricted vehicle license plate?
A. It is still available and is required for ATV, UTV and motorbike owners who choose to operate on all roads that are part of a local jurisdictional highway system (e.g. city, county, highway district) that are open to OHV travel. This excludes all state highways and interstates).
Q. If I choose to have a restricted vehicle license plate where does it go?
A. Attached to the rear of the vehicle not less than 12” off of the ground, securely fastened and clearly visible.
Q. What if I already purchased a restricted vehicle license plate and an OHV registration sticker and only want to display the sticker?
A. You have the option to obtain a $3.00 duplicate sticker from IDPR or your County Assessor Motor Vehicle Office.
Q. Where do I place my OHV registration sticker?
A. On a motorbike used exclusively off-highway or on a dual sport motorcycle with a red white and blue motorcycle plate, the sticker needs to be placed on the rider’s right fork. On an ATV, UTV or Specialty off-highway vehicle the registration sticker must be placed upon the rear fender. The sticker must be completely visible, legible and not hidden by obstructions. If you have a restricted vehicle license plate the registration sticker must be affixed to the plate.
Q. Who does not need a restricted vehicle license plate and/or IDPR OHV registration sticker?
A. Idaho code excludes vehicles used exclusively on private land for agricultural use or snow removal. Specialty off-highway vehicles will not be issued a restricted vehicle license plate. No restricted vehicle license plate is needed for vehicles used strictly off-highway or on non-local jurisdiction roads (e.g. IDL, BLM, USFS, IDFG, IDPR and privately owned roads open to such use).
Q. Other than being properly registered or licensed, what else do I need in order to safely operate my ATV, UTV, motorbike on roads open to such use?
A. A valid driver’s license and liability insurance are required. Any person under the age of 16 must be supervised by a licensed adult operator (18+).The following is recommended for safe operation but not required by law. A working brake light, a horn audible at 200’, headlight and taillight after dark or during poor visibility, helmet under the age of 18, and a mirror showing roadway 200' behind the vehicle.
Q. Do I need to title my motorbike, ATV, or UTV?
A. If you purchased a motorbike or ATV since 1/1/1991 or a UTV since 7/1/2006, you are required to title it in your name. If you purchased it before that date, you are strongly encouraged to title it, but are not required to do so. Titling enhances the chance of recovery in the event your vehicle is stolen. It provides convincing proof of ownership when you go to sell it. Also, should you suffer loss, some insurance companies will not provide payoff if you do not have a title in your name. Apply for title at your County Assessor Motor Vehicle Office. You will need to take ownership documents with you. Include any signed title from the seller, manufacturer’s certificate of origin, prior registration, and bills of sale you may have. Applicable sales tax will also be due. You can contact your County Assessor Motor Vehicle Office with questions pertaining to this process.
Q. Will I need to title my Specialty off-highway vehicle?
A. No. Specialty off-highway vehicles aren’t titled. Many of these vehicles don’t have a VIN # or have been customized to the point that they no longer meet titling requirements. However, they are required to have an OHV registration sticker.
Q. I drive a Jeep that is licensed as a motor vehicle with the red white and blue Idaho license plate. Are you saying I must register it as an OHV now?
A. No. The OHV sticker requirement for Specialty off-highway vehicles only applies to vehicles designed or constructed exclusively for off-highway operation.
Q. I converted my motorbike to a motorcycle and already have a red, white and blue motorcycle plate on it from ITD. Does this mean I now need two plates on my bike?
A. No. Only one plate is necessary. To ride on trails, you will still need the OHV registration sticker and must affix it to the right fork. This is in addition to the current motorcycle license plate registration sticker provided by ITD with the motorcycle plate.
Q. I own an ATV or UTV and already have a red, white and blue motorcycle plate on it from ITD. Can I continue to operate with the motorcycle plate?
A. No. Motorcycles and motorbikes that have been converted to motorcycles (see required equipment for road travel) are the only vehicles that can legally operate in Idaho with motorcycle plates.
Q. How does this new law affect nonresidents?
A. Any ATV, UTV, motorbike or Specialty off-highway vehicle operated in Idaho must have either a current Idaho registration sticker or a current registration from the state in which the owner resides. A restricted vehicle license plate may be purchased for a motorbike, ATV or UTV. Nonresidents with an all-terrain vehicle, utility type vehicle, specialty off-highway vehicle or motorbike registered in another state shall have the same use privileges and responsibilities as a resident of this state with a properly registered vehicle.
Q. What do I need to take with me to obtain both a restricted vehicle license plate and/or OHV sticker?
A. If you have a title and/or have received a renewal notice from IDPR, take them with you. Both contain your vehicle identification number (VIN). If your vehicle is not currently titled in Idaho, you will need to contact your County Assessor Motor Vehicle Office and begin the titling process with ITD. Again, Specialty off-highway vehicles are not required to be titled.
Q. I own a 50cc motorbike. Do I need to purchase an IDPR OHV registration sticker? What about a restricted vehicle license plate?
A. All OHVs are required to have an IDPR OHV registration sticker; including 50cc motorbikes. Only OHVs used exclusively on private land for agricultural use or snow removal are exempt from the IDPR OHV registration sticker requirement. Restricted vehicle license plates are exempted for motorbikes 50cc’s and under. So, no, you are not required to purchase a restricted vehicle license plate. The 50cc motorbike is required to be titled, as is any motorbike larger than this. Any motorbike, ATV or UTV under 50cc’s is not titled.
Additional Questions
For additional information please call your County Assessor Motor Vehicle Office or email the IDPR Registration Program.