Q: What is the legal definition of an off-road vehicle? It`s easy to distinguish a legal ATV on the road from an unauthorized ATV on the street in Arizona. A street-approved ATV has the letters MC on the left side of its license plate, while a non-street legal ATV has the letters RV on the left side of its license plate. A: The license plate only allows you to drive on roads and paths that do not require « street legal » registration. Exceptions to the « Street Legal » clause include: (They are covered by the title label and OHV sticker) Arizona is the next state to be conquered in our ongoing series analyzing ATV laws in each state derived from this article. Arizona is one of the most popular states for legal ATVs and UTVs due to their relaxed laws, so there`s a lot to see here. It should also be noted that although I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer and do not give legal advice. If you have any questions, you should consult a local lawyer. While most of the equipment normally required to make an ATV legal on the road is required for all ATVs, as described above, there are few additional requirements if you want roadside approval in Arizona. A: All off-road vehicles (ORVs) designed by the manufacturer primarily for use on unupgraded land and weighing 2,500 pounds or less must legally display a valid OHV sticker to operate on public and state trust property in Arizona. This includes « road-approved » vehicles that meet both requirements. A: Many forest service roads and BLMs have state motor vehicle laws, so your vehicle must be registered and you must be licensed.
A good rule of thumb is that if a car can use the road, your vehicle must be « road legal ». Some roads and trails are open to unlicensed recreational vehicles. Check with your local property manager for information on road conditions. Q: What equipment does my PHEV need to be certified for the road? You can make your ATV or UTV road legal in Arizona by registering it for highway use. To be legal on the road, your ATV must be equipped with special equipment and have proof of liability insurance. A: It is illegal to drink alcohol or take drugs and drive an ORV. You can be arrested for impaired driving even if you are on a backcountry trail. The penalties are the same as for any other drunk driving and include jail time and loss of your driver`s license. A driver`s license is required to drive an ATV or UTV in Arizona on city, county, and state roads and highways, select forest service roads, and roads maintained by BLM. You must ensure that you get your ORV sticker before registering your ATV or UTV. If you use it primarily off-road, you`ll get a discount on registration if you have an OHV sticker.
Thirty percent of the funds go to the Highway User Revenue Fund, which is distributed to Arizona counties and cities for road and highway maintenance. Non-residents must affix the sticker to the left rear quarter wall of the PHEV with three or more wheels or to the blade of the left leg of two-wheeled vehicles. Q: What rules and laws apply to ORVs on public lands? A: For vehicles registered in Arizona, you can get a replacement for a $5.00 fee at any MVD or authorized third party office. Out-of-state residents who need to replace their non-resident ORV sticker should contact the Arizona Department of Game and Fish. A: Each agency that manages public lands, such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and others, has its own rules, regulations, and laws. Check with local land administration authorities for rules, requirements or road/trail closures due to wet roads, sensitive habitat, wildlife breeding or nesting sites before riding on public lands. An ATV or UTV must have a certificate of ownership to comply with the mandatory ORV sticker. Titles have been required for most ORVs in Arizona since 1985, but in 2009 the law was expanded to require a certificate of ownership for all ORVs.
Q: What steps do I need to take to comply with the law? Arizona defines an off-road vehicle as a motor vehicle that travels primarily on land, water, snow, ice, or other natural terrain. It includes two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles and specifically identifies ATVs, STVs, side-by-side vehicles, RZRs, ROVs, motorcycles, mopeds and snowmobiles. A: The Arizona OHV Laws and Places to Ride booklet includes several proposals within the state, as well as the latest laws. Visit the Arizona State Parks & Trails website for even more hiking trails and downloadable maps. Q: Are there alcohol and drug laws for driving under ORV? Q: I lost my license plate and/or PHEV sticker, what should I do now? A: For more information on road safety and training, visit the Ohio Education page of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Q: How do I get the PHEV sticker and how much does it cost? You will also need to display the license plate sticker in the top right corner of your license plate. A: For residents, the sticker must be affixed to the upper left corner of the vehicle`s licence plate, which must be visible on the back of the ORV. Q: I live out of state. Can I still ride on the OHV sticker of my original condition? A: No. In 2019, the ORV sticker program was amended to require out-of-state residents to purchase a non-resident ORV sticker to drive in the state.
Stickers are not transferable between PHEVs and each machine must have its own sticker.