Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Decal Program

In 1972, legislation was passed that gave the Arizona Game and Fish Commission the authority to perform law enforcement, education, and training related to off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) became the primary state agency for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) activities.

While authority was created for the Department to perform these OHV-related activities, it was not until 1989 that funding through the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund was actually provided to administer those duties.

• OHV use in Arizona has exploded (359% increase since 1998).
• Use has outpaced existing funding needed to manage that growth, protect wildlife habitat, and help maintain recreational access.
• A new funding source was needed to bolster existing funding and create programs that pay for trail maintenance, signage, maps, facility development, habitat damage mitigation, education, and enforcement.

Thanks in large part to a collaborative effort between OHV enthusiasts, sportsmen, conservationists, elected officials, and the public, Senate Bill 1167 passed through the legislature and was signed into law by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano in June 2008. Its rules and regulations will go into effect on January 1, 2009.

What does the new law do?

• It specifies OHV decal, title, license plate, and registration requirements.
• It specifies equipment requirements, including DOT–approved helmets for youth.
• It specifies regulations for safe, ethical, and responsible operation.

What is the OHV decal?

• The OHV decal is a sticker that must be purchased annually to operate your OHV legally within Arizona.
• It is not “registration.” Registration is required if you want your OHV to be “street legal.”
• The decal must be applied to the upper left corner of your license plate, and your license plate must be visibly displayed on the rear of your OHV.
• Purchase of the OHV decal is a user fee and is required of all OHVs meeting the bulleted criteria in the following paragraph.

Which vehicles must have an OHV decal?

• Any motor vehicle operated on unimproved roads, trails, and approved use areas not suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicular travel is an OHV and must have a decal if it:
  • Is designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain and …
  • Has an unladen weight of 1,800 pounds or less.
• Pickup trucks, SUVs, cars, and other recreational vehicles are not required to (and cannot) obtain an OHV decal.

How do I obtain the OHV decal?

• You must pay the required user fee.
• The OHV decal is available for purchase online at www.servicearizona.com, at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office, or from an authorized third-party service provider.
• The decal is valid for one year. It is the OHV owner’s responsibility to purchase subsequent year decals.

The OHV decal is available for purchase online at www.servicearizona.com, at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Office, or from an authorized third-party service provider.