ATV Registration & Title Requirements by State

Common questions

ATV registration & title — frequently asked

Short answers to the questions riders ask most about registration, title, fees, renewal, and cross-state reciprocity. Each state’s exact rule sits in the matrix above.

• Do I need to register my ATV?+

  Most US states require an off-highway-vehicle (OHV) registration to operate an ATV on public land, public OHV areas, or state trails. A handful of states make registration voluntary (commonly for machines used exclusively on the owner's private property) and a small number trigger registration only when the rider enters a state trail system. The matrix above flags which approach each state takes and links to the canonical state code or DNR rule.
• What's the typical ATV registration fee?+

  Published fees range from roughly $15 to $80 across the 50 states, with the median sitting near $30. A handful of states publish a multi-year fee (commonly two or three years) which lowers the per-year cost; others bill annually. The fee column in the matrix shows the published one-time or recurring amount with the renewal cycle next to it.
• Do I need a title for an ATV?+

  Title requirements vary independently of registration. Most states require a title for any new or used OHV transaction (to record the chain of ownership and enable transfer to a buyer), but a small number of states only require registration and treat the bill of sale plus registration as the ownership record. The title column in the matrix calls out each state's rule, and the 'Title from bill of sale' explainer walks through the common buyer scenarios.
• Does my home-state ATV registration work in other states?+

  Reciprocity is uneven. Some states honor any current out-of-state OHV registration; others require a nonresident trail permit on top of the home-state sticker; and a few require their own short-term registration before a nonresident may ride on public trails. The matrix shows each state's reciprocity rule, and the 'ATV reciprocity for trail riding' explainer maps the four approaches.
• How often do I have to renew?+

  Renewal cycles fall mostly into one-year or two-year cadences with a handful of states on three-year cycles. The renewal interval is published in the matrix alongside the fee; many state DNRs send a paper or email reminder, but the burden is on the rider — a lapsed registration sticker is the most common reason a routine trail-system check turns into a citation.
• Is there a nonresident trail permit instead of full registration?+

  Yes — most states that gate trail access on registration also offer a short-term nonresident trail permit (commonly priced $10–$30) as the workaround for an out-of-state rider who doesn't want to register the machine in two states. The nonresident-permit column shows availability and cost per state.

State-by-state reciprocity notes

For each state, the in-statute or DNR-published rule that controls how out-of-state riders register, permit, or are exempted. For the typology of approaches, see ATV reciprocity for trail riding.

Alabama(AL)

ATVs may not be operated on Alabama public roads; voluntary $15/3-year ALEA registration available but not required.

Sources:[1][2]

Alaska(AK)

Off-highway vehicles operated on public property must be registered with the Alaska DMV; not titled. Local jurisdictions may add stricter rules.

Sources:[1][2]

Arizona(AZ)

Residents and nonresidents must purchase the annual $25 Arizona OHV decal to operate on public or state trust lands. Free OHV safety course required for at least one registered owner.

Sources:[1][2]

Arkansas(AR)

ATVs must be registered and titled at point of sale; a one-number decal must be displayed.

Sources:[1][2]

California(CA)

OHVs must display a CA Green Sticker (year-round access) or Red Sticker (emissions-restricted seasons). Out-of-state OHVs used on California public OHV areas must obtain a CA nonresident OHV registration.

Sources:[1][2]

Colorado(CO)

All in-state and out-of-state OHVs must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and display a current sticker on designated trails or staging areas.

Sources:[1][2]

Connecticut(CT)

ATVs and snowmobiles must be registered with Connecticut DMV; registration is valid 3 years.

Sources:[1][2][3]

Delaware(DE)

All off-highway vehicles operated in Delaware must be registered under Title 21 Chapter 68; numbered decal must be displayed.

Sources:[1][2][3]

Florida(FL)

Off-highway vehicles in Florida must be titled (form HSMV 82040) but are not registered; no PIP/PDL insurance required.

Sources:[1][2]

Georgia(GA)

ATVs are not state-registered in Georgia; only multipurpose off-highway vehicles (MPOHVs) manufactured after 2000-01-01 are registered. ATVs may not be operated on public roads.

Sources:[1][2]

Hawaii(HI)

Hawaii does not allow ATVs in state parks or on public roads, so statewide registration is not required; an OHV permit is required to use designated off-highway trails.

Sources:[1][2]

Idaho(ID)

Idaho Code 67-7122 requires a valid IDPR OHV certificate-of-number sticker for both residents and nonresidents; stickers expire Dec 31 of the issued year.

Sources:[1][2]

Illinois(IL)

All ATVs and off-highway motorcycles purchased on or after 1998-01-01 require a $30 Illinois Secretary of State certificate of title.

Sources:[1][2]

Indiana(IN)

ORV registration through Indiana DNR is required to operate as an off-highway vehicle on public lands and OHV areas.

Sources:[1][2]

Iowa(IA)

All titled OHVs must display current Iowa DNR registration decals in designated riding areas.

Sources:[1][2]

Kansas(KS)

K.S.A. §8-128 exempts ATVs from state registration on both private and public property; a KDWP permit is required for state-park trails.

Sources:[1][2][3]

Kentucky(KY)

No state-level ATV registration in Kentucky; local jurisdictions may add requirements. KRS 189.515 codifies use restrictions.

Sources:[1][2]

Louisiana(LA)

ATVs are not registered statewide. UTVs operated on parish roads or municipal streets must be registered with the LA DPS-Office of Motor Vehicles as off-road vehicles and display a decal (RS 32:299.3).

Sources:[1][2]

Maine(ME)

Maine IFW requires ATV registration for all residents and nonresidents; reciprocity is honored only if the home state requires registration that Maine accepts.

Sources:[1][2]

Maryland(MD)

ATVs and off-road motorcycles purchased 2010-10-01 or later must be titled; UTVs purchased 2017-10-01 or later must be titled. A nontransferable ORV decal is issued at titling; separate Maryland OHV registration is required for public OHV areas.

Sources:[1][2]

Massachusetts(MA)

All OHVs operated in Massachusetts must be registered under MGL c. 90B with registration displayed on both sides.

Sources:[1][2]

Michigan(MI)

Michigan requires every ORV operated on land, snow, ice, marsh, or natural terrain to be licensed annually (up to $26.25). Nonresidents must purchase the same ORV license to ride Michigan trails.

Sources:[1][2]

Minnesota(MN)

Minnesota DNR requires ATV registration for all riders, including private-property use. Registrant must be 18+. Nonresidents must purchase an MN nonresident OHV trail pass to ride MN trails.

Sources:[1][2]

Mississippi(MS)

Mississippi does not require ATV/UTV titling; owners may voluntarily title with the State Tax Commission at no charge.

Sources:[1][2]

Missouri(MO)

Missouri does not require statewide ATV registration; on-road use is largely prohibited except for agricultural / governmental / handicapped-access exceptions under RSMo 304.013.

Sources:[1][2]

Montana(MT)

MCA 23-2-804: OHVs must be registered with the state and display a current decal to ride on public lands. Motorcycles used exclusively off-road do not need registration. Nonresidents must also register / display a decal.

Sources:[1][2]

Nebraska(NE)

ATVs and UTVs are not state-registered as off-highway vehicles in Nebraska; on-road use requires a Class O operator's license or farm permit (Neb. Stat. 60-6,356).

Sources:[1][2][3]

Nevada(NV)

NRS Chapter 490 requires a Nevada OHV Certificate of Operation (decal on left rear fender, annual). Out-of-state OHVs operating on Nevada public lands must obtain the certificate.

Sources:[1][2]

New Hampshire(NH)

OHRVs must be registered with NH Fish & Game (RSA 215-A:21); registrant must be 18+. Youth ATVs ≤95cc may be operated under 12 unregistered if accompanied by a licensed adult. Nonresidents need NH OHRV registration to ride state trails.

Sources:[1][2]

New Jersey(NJ)

NJSA 39:3C-3: ATVs must be registered. Operators must carry proof of liability insurance and current registration; no operator license required for off-road use.

Sources:[1][2]

New Mexico(NM)

NMSA 66-3-1001 through 66-3-1021 (Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act): residents must title and register OHVs with the NM MVD ($53 / 2 years). Nonresidents must obtain a NM OHV permit to ride public lands.

Sources:[1][2]

New York(NY)

NY V&T Article 48-B (§§2280-2291): ATVs must be registered to be operated anywhere in NY State — including on the owner's own property.

Sources:[1][2]

North Carolina(NC)

North Carolina does not require statewide ATV registration; operation on public streets/highways/PVAs is largely prohibited (G.S. 20-171.21+).

Sources:[1][2]

North Dakota(ND)

ND Century Code Ch. 39-29 defines OHVs and registration; OHVs cannot be registered as street-legal vehicles. Nonresidents must comply with same rules to ride public lands.

Sources:[1][2]

Ohio(OH)

Ohio Revised Code Ch. 4519: APVs, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles must be titled and registered; registration renewed every 3 years.

Sources:[1][2]

Oklahoma(OK)

47 OS §47-1115.3: ATVs, UTVs, off-road motorcycles must be registered once with Service Oklahoma within 30 days of purchase (one-time registration).

Sources:[1][2]

Oregon(OR)

Oregon DMV does not title/register Class I-IV ATVs used solely off-road; OPRD ATV Operating Permits are required for all ATVs ridden off-road on public land (resident and nonresident).

Sources:[1][2]

Pennsylvania(PA)

Title 75 Ch. 77 (PA Vehicle Code, DCNR-administered): ATVs and snowmobiles must carry a valid registration certificate to be operated. Nonresidents need PA registration to ride DCNR trails.

Sources:[1][2]

Rhode Island(RI)

RIGL 31-3.2: ATVs must be registered with the Director of Natural Resources for $10/year; $100 fine for non-registration.

Sources:[1][2][3]

South Carolina(SC)

South Carolina does not require ATV registration for off-road use under the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Act (Title 50 Ch. 26 — 'Chandler's Law').

Sources:[1][2]

South Dakota(SD)

SDCL 32-20 governs off-road vehicle registration; street-legal use requires SDCL 32-20-13 compliance application.

Sources:[1][2]

Tennessee(TN)

Tennessee allows Class I/II OHV plates per TCA 55-8-203 / 55-8-185 for county-road operation; no statewide off-road registration mandate.

Sources:[1][2]

Texas(TX)

TPWD-managed public land requires a $16/year OHV decal under Parks & Wildlife Code Ch. 29. Applies to residents and nonresidents.

Sources:[1][2]

Utah(UT)

Utah OHV registration is annual; nonresidents must purchase Utah nonresident OHV permit to ride state lands.

Sources:[1][2]

Vermont(VT)

23 VSA Ch. 31: ATVs/UTVs must be registered; a VASA Trail Access Decal is also required for state trail systems. Nonresidents need both.

Sources:[1][2]

Virginia(VA)

VA Code §46.2-915.1: ATVs >50cc purchased new on/after 2006-07-01 require a title; no state registration for off-road use; no operation on public highways/public property except for crossings or by responders.

Sources:[1][2]

Washington(WA)

RCW 46.09: WA Dept. of Licensing issues annual ORV registrations and temporary ORV permits; nonresident temporary permits available.

Sources:[1][2]

West Virginia(WV)

WV Code Ch. 17F-1: no statewide ATV registration mandate; localities may add restrictions.

Sources:[1][2]

Wisconsin(WI)

Wis. Stat. Ch. 23.33: ATV and UTV registration with WI DNR is required. Nonresidents must purchase a WI nonresident trail pass.

Sources:[1][2]

Wyoming(WY)

WS 31-2-703: most ATVs need a $15/year Wyoming ORV permit displayed on the vehicle (Jan 1 – Dec 31). Required for all riders including nonresidents.

Sources:[1][2]