ATV / UTV registration
ATV / UTV registration in Ohio: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV); recreation rules set by Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Who to contact
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV); recreation rules set by Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR)
Visit the official Ohio pageStep by step
Title the APV/off-road motorcycle at a county title office using MCO/title plus Affidavit form BMV 3722
For UTVs, also file Application for Certificate of Title (BMV 3774)
Register at a deputy registrar and obtain a rear APV license plate
For limited on-road UTV use, obtain local law-enforcement authorization (form DPS 1373)
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV); recreation rules set by Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Renewal
Renews triennial (3-year, expires December 31).
Good to know
APVs (ATVs) and off-road motorcycles are motor vehicles that must be titled and registered; registration is valid for three years and expires December 31. If used primarily for agriculture, registration is not required. A registered APV is not valid to operate on public roads (limited UTV on-road use with local authorization). Rear license plate required.
More for Ohio
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 — Ohio requires registration for this vehicle type. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV); recreation rules set by Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR) handles it; see the steps above.
Ohio lists a triennial (3-year, expires December 31) 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.