✓ Sourced from Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) for title/registration; Arizona Game and Fish Department for the OHV program (decal issued via MVD)Registration required
ATV / UTV registration in Arizona: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) for title/registration; Arizona Game and Fish Department for the OHV program (decal issued via MVD).
Who to contact
Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) for title/registration; Arizona Game and Fish Department for the OHV program (decal issued via MVD)
Title and register the ATV/UTV with MVD (title and license plate)
Step 2
Complete the Off-Highway Vehicle Decal Application (Form #96-0572)
Step 3
Purchase the OHV decal ($25) at an MVD/Authorized Third Party office or online via AZ MVD Now (non-residents purchase through the Arizona Game and Fish Department portal)
Step 4
Complete the required OHV safety education course (in effect since Jan. 1, 2025) before registering/renewing the decal
Step 5
Renew the OHV decal annually and keep it displayed
What to bring
Required documents.
✓Title and Registration Application (Form #96-0236) for MVD title/registration
OHV decal: $25 per year (in addition to standard MVD title/registration fees, which are not itemized on the page)
Renewal
Renews OHV decal renews annually (valid one year from date of purchase); underlying MVD registration follows standard 1/2/5-year vehicle cadence.
Good to know
TWO separate requirements: (1) MVD title and registration/license plate, AND (2) a separate $25/year OHV Decal for off-highway operation on public lands. An OHV is defined as a vehicle designed primarily for travel over unimproved terrain with an unladen weight of 2,500 lbs or less. The OHV program is governed by Arizona Game and Fish; residents buy/renew the decal through MVD (AZ MVD Now), non-residents through the AZ Game and Fish portal. Since Jan. 1, 2025 a one-time OHV safety course is required before registering/renewing the decal (window Jan. 1, 2025–June 1, 2027).
ATV and UTV registration is the most inconsistent category on this site: some states make it mandatory, some make it voluntary, and some route it through wildlife or natural-resources agencies rather than the DMV. Pick your state below for the real rule.
01
Mandatory vs voluntary registration
Some states require every ATV/UTV to be registered before it is operated anywhere, including private land. Others only require registration for use on public or state-managed trails, and a few make registration optional. The state guide below states which applies, sourced from the agency’s own page.
02
The agency is often not the DMV
Because off-road vehicles are frequently regulated for trail and land use, many states register ATVs/UTVs through a department of natural resources, wildlife agency, or state parks division rather than the motor vehicle department. Check the agency named in your state guide.
03
A trail permit is sometimes separate from registration
Some states require a separate trail-use permit or sticker on top of registration to ride designated public trails. The state guide below notes this where the agency documents it.
Common questions
The practical details.
Do I have to register a ATV or UTV in Arizona?+
Yes — Arizona requires registration for this vehicle type. Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) for title/registration; Arizona Game and Fish Department for the OHV program (decal issued via MVD) handles it; see the steps above.
How often do I need to renew?+
Arizona lists a OHV decal renews annually (valid one year from date of purchase); underlying MVD registration follows standard 1/2/5-year vehicle cadence renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
Do I have to register an ATV I only ride on my own private land?+
It depends on the state. Some states require registration for any ATV regardless of where it is ridden; others only require it for public or state-trail use, and a few leave it entirely voluntary. Check the state guide below for the sourced rule.
Which agency registers an ATV or UTV?+
It varies — some states use the DMV, others use a department of natural resources, wildlife agency, or parks division. The exact agency and its link are on your state’s guide page.