OHV Laws, Rules, and Guidelines

REQUIREMENTS FOR OHV OPERATION

Trails

These are the requirements for motorbikes, ATVs, UTVs, and Specialty Off-highway vehicles operating off-highway on a designated trail, open riding area or motocross track.

• A valid IDPR OHV certificate of number sticker for resident and nonresident IC 67-7122
• A DOT approved helmet under age 18. IC 49-666
• A muffler and Forest Service approved spark arrestor. Your muffler must be at or below 96dB at the half-meter test, SAE J1287. IC 67-7125

State & Federal Roads

This includes Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and privately owned roads open to OHV use. Contact the landowner or manager for information on roads open to OHV use.

• OHV Education Certificate for unlicensed operators. IC 49-302(11)a U.S. Forest Service Roads only.
• Valid driver’s license (except under the age of 16 when supervised by a licensed adult operator). IC 49-301 or IC 49-302 “supervised” means the supervising licensed adult must be in a position, on another OHV to provide close support, assistance or direction, or if on the ground, within three hundred (300) feet of the unlicensed operator.
• Liability insurance or alternative insurance. IC 49-1223 or IC 49-1232
• Valid IDPR OHV certificate of number sticker for resident and nonresident IC 67-7122
• A DOT approved helmet under age 18. IC 49-666
• Muffler and U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor.  Your muffler must be at or below 96dB at the half-meter test, SAE J1287. IC 67-7125

City & County Roads

The following requirements must be met on city, county, and highway district roads. Check with local jurisdiction for information on roads open to OHV use.

• Valid restricted vehicle license plate. IC 49-402(4)
• Valid IDPR OHV certificate of number sticker affixed to restricted vehicle license plate for resident and nonresident. IC 67-7122
• Valid driver’s license. IC 49-301
• Liability insurance or alternative insurance.  IC 49-1223 or IC 49-1232
• A DOT approved helmet under age 18. IC 49-666
• Muffler and U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor.  Your muffler must be at or below 96dB at the half-meter test. SAE J1287. IC 67-7125

For safe operation on roads the following equipment is recommended:

• Brake light
• Headlight and taillight after dark/poor visibility.
• Horn audible at 200 feet.
• Mirror showing roadway 200 feet behind the OHV.
• Be sure to check with local jurisdictions for specific ordinances.

Rangeland

Idaho’s public lands allow for many uses, including ranching. To learn how to recreate responsibly around livestock on public land, please read these ten tips and visit the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission website.