ATV / UTV registration
ATV / UTV registration in California: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Who to contact
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Visit the official California pageStep by step
Complete Application for Title or Registration (REG 343)
Provide proof of ownership (manufacturer's certificate, factory invoice, out-of-state title, or bills of sale)
Get a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) completed by a DMV employee, peace officer, or licensed verifier
Visit a DMV office and pay applicable OHV registration fees / use tax
Receive an OHV identification (ID) plate/sticker; CARB green sticker (year-round) or red sticker for non-complying 2003+ models
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Renewal
Renews biennial.
Good to know
ATVs/UTVs register through the DMV OHV program (green/red sticker). OHV IDs expire June 30 of the second calendar year following the original = biennial, with 50% late penalty after June 30.
More for California
General guidance
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.
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.
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.
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
Yes — California requires registration for this vehicle type. California Department of Motor Vehicles handles it; see the steps above.
California lists a biennial renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
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.
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.