ATV / UTV registration
ATV / UTV registration in Hawaii: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife — Na Ala Hele Trail & Access Program.
Who to contact
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife — Na Ala Hele Trail & Access Program
Visit the official Hawaii pageStep by step
Obtain a required riding PERMIT for every rider before using a designated OHV trail/area
Carry the permit at all times while riding
Sign in and out at the check-in stations
Ride only in designated areas (e.g., Upper Waiakea ATV & Dirt Bike Park and Mauna Kea areas on Hawaii Island; Kahuku Motocross Park on Oahu; Maui Motocross Track on Maui)
Equip the vehicle with a USFS-approved spark arrestor
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife — Na Ala Hele Trail & Access Program.
Renewal
Renewal cadence not yet confirmed.
Good to know
ATVs and side-by-sides (UTVs) are treated as NON-LICENSED off-highway vehicles — there is no DMV road registration; they may be used only on designated trails with a DLNR riding permit (off-road only, not street-legal). Some areas note an 'access fee or membership required' but no specific dollar amount is printed (fees=null). registers=false reflects the absence of an on-road registration program, not a permit.
More for Hawaii
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
Not as a mandatory requirement — Hawaii's own page for this vehicle type describes it as optional or not required. See the notes above for the specifics from Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife — Na Ala Hele Trail & Access Program.
Hawaii's renewal cadence for this vehicle type has not yet been confirmed against an official source — check with Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife — Na Ala Hele Trail & Access Program directly.
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.