Idaho Off-roading Regulations
Who needs off-road education?
Idaho law requires that any person 16 years old and younger, without a valid motor vehicle license who wishes to operate an OHV on US Forest Service roads must take an IDPR-approved OHV safety course. Certificates must have the State or Program logo displayed on the certificate. All riders in Idaho who are under the age of 16 must be under direct supervision of an adult when operating on non-local jurisdiction roads.
You must be at least 6 years old to take this online course.
You do not have to be a resident of Idaho to take this online course.
In order to receive your Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety Education Certificate you must pass both the online and Skills Test portions of the course in order to complete the Idaho OHV education requirements.
After passing the online portion of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) education course, you are required to attend a Skills Test in your area to complete your off-roading safety certification. You must bring your Course Completion Certification to the Skills Test as proof that you have completed the online portion of the course.
As part of the Skills Test you will be required to demonstrate short skills as requested by the trainer from the Idaho State Department of Parks & Recreation.
Once you have completed the short skills you will have completed the certification and will receive your Idaho OHV Safety Education Certificate.
License & Registration
Any OHVs being operated or transported on public lands, roads or trails of the state of Idaho must display a current Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation OHV Registration Sticker. All IDPR OHV registration stickers which are issued are valid through December 31 of the issued year. The IDPR OHV Registration sticker must be visible and kept legible at all times.
Non-residents are required to have either a valid OHV registration from their home state of residence or a valid IDPR OHV registration sticker. Nonresidents must purchase an Idaho restricted vehicle license plate with a valid IDPR OHV registration sticker if they don’t have a plate and wish to operate on Idaho’s local jurisdiction roads (i.e. county roads).
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety
Before heading out on Idaho’s ATV and OHV trails, please remember the following tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride:
- Always wear appropriate safety gear when riding.
- Ensure your ATV is properly registered in the state.
- Always stay on designated trails. Stay off paved roads.
- Obtain the landowner’s permission before going onto private land.
- Know before you go – contact the landowner or land management agency to find out about open ATV trails or routes.
- Never, ever ride an ATV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
All ATV riders should wear an approved helmet at all times when riding their ATV, regardless of their age or experience level.
In Idaho, a helmet is mandatory for all riders (operators AND passengers) under the age of 18. Helmets must have at least a “DOT Approved” safety rating for motorized use.
It is highly recommended that all riders also wear gloves, long sleeved shirt, long pants and over-the-ankle boots that are designed to offer added protection for ATV riders.
Where can I ride my OHV?
Trails
These are the requirements for motorbikes, ATVs, UTVs and Specialty Off-highway vehicles operating off-highway on a designated trail, open riding area or motocross track.
- A valid IDPR OHV registration sticker
- A helmet under age eighteen
- A muffler and Forest Service approved spark arrestor
- Your muffler has to pass 96 db at the half-meter test
State & Federal Roads
This includes Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and privately owned roads open to OHV use. Contact the land owner or manager for information on roads open to OHV use.
- Valid driver’s license (except under the age of 16 when supervised by a licensed adult operator)
- Liability insurance or alternative insurance
- Valid IDPR OHV registration sticker
- A helmet under age 18
- Muffler and U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor. Your muffler must pass 96dB at the half-meter test
- The OHV cannot exceed 96dB
City & County Roads
The following requirements must be met on city, county, and highway district roads. Certain roads may be closed by local jurisdiction. Check with local jurisdiction for information on roads open to OHV use.
- Valid restricted vehicle license plate
- Valid IDPR OHV registration sticker affixed to restricted vehicle license plate
- Valid driver’s license
- Liability insurance or alternative insurance
- A helmet under age 18
- Muffler and U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor
- Your muffler has to pass 96 dB at the half-meter test
- The OHV cannot exceed 96dB
For safe operation on roads the following equipment is recommended:
- Brake light
- Headlight and taillight after dark/poor visibility
- Horn audible at 200 feet
- Mirror showing roadway 200 feet behind the OHV
Types of Vehicles
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) means any recreation vehicle with three or more tires, under nine hundred pounds and fifty inches or less in width, having a wheelbase of sixty-one inches or less, has handlebar steering and a seat designed to be straddled by the operator.
Motorbikes
Motorbike means any self-propelled two 2-wheeled motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, excluding tractors, designed for or capable of traveling off developed roadways and highways and also referred to as trailbikes, enduro bikes, trials bikes, motocross bikes or dual purpose motorcy
Specialty off highway vehicles
Specialty off highway vehicle means any vehicle manufactured, designed or constructed exclusively for off-highway operation that does not fit the definition of an all-terrain vehicle, utility type vehicle or motorbike as defined in this section. These vehicles include a vehicle designed or constructed exclusively for off highway operation that does not fit the definition of an ATV, UTV or motorbike. SOHVs include a buggy, modified golf cart, modified rock crawler, jeep or sand rail.
Utility type vehicles (UTVs)
Utility type vehicle (UTV) means any recreational motor vehicle other than an ATV, motorbike or snowmobile as defined in this section, designed for and capable of travel over designated unpaved roads, traveling on four or more tires, maximum width less than seventy-four inches, maximum weight less than two thousand pounds, and having a wheelbase of ninety-four inches or less.
Utility-terrain vehicles, or UTVs, look like miniature Jeeps. They have brake and gas pedals, steering wheels, seat belts and roll bars. They allow two people to sit side by side and travel roads and trails. But until recently they have generally been too large to meet motorized trail standards set by the U.S. Forest Service. However this is changing and manufacturers are making slimmer UTVs, 50 inches wide which meets the maximum limit of vehicles used while off-roading.