Nevada off-roading regulations

As of July 1, 2012, nearly all off-highway vehicles greater than 70cc, and 1976 or newer, must be registered and display a registration decal to operate legally in Nevada.

Funding for the Commission’s off-highway vehicle grant program relies on revenues generated by the Off-Highway Vehicle Registration Program. Your registration fees benefit the Off-Highway Vehicle community and Nevada as a whole in many ways including:

Improving trails and facilities
Protecting the land through education and enforcement
Protecting your vehicles against theft
Keeping Nevada dollars in Nevada
Encouraging tourism
Funding for the Commission’s off-highway vehicle grant program relies on revenues generated by the registration of off-highway vehicles in Nevada

What is Classified as an OHV?

Off-highway vehicle means a motor vehicle that is designed primarily for off-highway and all-terrain use. The term includes, but is not limited to:

An all-terrain vehicle;
An all-terrain motorcycle;
A dune buggy;
A snowmobile; and
Any motor vehicle used on public lands for the purpose of recreation

Who Needs to Register?

With certain exceptions, every owner of an OHV shall register their OHV. Registration of an off-highway vehicle is not required if the off-highway vehicle:

Is owned and operated by:
1. A federal agency;
2. An agency of this State; or
3. A county, incorporated city or unincorporated town in this State;
Is part of the inventory of a dealer of off-highway vehicles and is affixed with a special dealer license plate;
Is registered or certified in another state and is located in this State for not more than 15 days;
Is used solely for husbandry on private land or on public land that is leased to or used under a permit issued to the owner or operator of the off-highway vehicle;
Is used for work conducted by or at the direction of a public or private utility; or
Was manufactured before January 1, 1976.
Is operated solely in an organized race, festival or other event that is conducted:
1. Under the auspices of a sanctioning body; or
2. By permit issued by a governmental entity having jurisdiction;
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d), is operated or stored on private land or on public land that is leased to the owner or operator of the off-highway vehicle, including when operated in an organized race, festival or other event;
Is used in a search and rescue operation conducted by a governmental entity having jurisdiction; or
Has a displacement of not more than 70 cubic centimeters.

“Sanctioning body” means an organization that establishes a schedule of racing events, grants rights to conduct those events and establishes and administers rules and regulations governing the persons who conduct or participate in those events.

Nevada’s Rules of the Road

Any motorized vehicle which does not have the normal safety equipment such as lights and mirrors or is not built to federal vehicle standards is an off-highway vehicle and is restricted to off-highway use only. This includes all-terrain vehicles, pocket bikes, motorized scooters and snowmobiles.

If a vehicle was manufactured and designated for “off-road” or “non-road” use only, it may not be driven on Nevada public streets or highways even if it has safety equipment. The designation for off-highway use is usually indicated in ownership documents, the owner’s manual or by a U.S. DOT label attached to the frame of the vehicle. Only two-wheeled motorcycles may be converted to on-road use. Other OHVs may not be converted.

There are no driver license or minimum age requirements for OHVs operated off-highway in Nevada. City and county governments may designate small portions of public streets for access to or from off-road areas only and some age restrictions or other requirements may apply. See NRS Chapter 490 and NAC Chapter 490.

How to Register

You can register your off-roading vehicle in 3 easy steps

1. Select the appropriate form

Registration forms and procedures differ depending on when and where your vehicle was purchased or whether it is homemade.

2. Take the appropriate form and vehicle for a VIN inspection

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection will have to be completed by a licensed Nevada Off-Highway Vehicle dealer or a sworn law enforcement officer. Note: the DMV does not perform VIN inspections and all registration is by mail. If your vehicle has never been registered or titled in Nevada Click here to see a list of licensed dealers.

If your vehicle does not currently have a VIN Number, a VIN Assignment Form will need to be completed. You can obtain this form from the DMV.

3. Complete the application and mail in the supporting documents to the DMV

The dealer who completes the inspection may submit the application and other documents on your behalf or you may mail them yourself.

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
OHV Unit
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711

When you receive your registration decal, affix the decal to the Off-Highway Vehicle. Decals are issued by mail only. Once your off-highway vehicle is registered for the first time, renewals can be done online or by mail. The registration decal expires one year after the date of issuance. You will receive a renewal notice notice in the mail approximately 30 days before renewal.

Information you need to purchase a registration decal

If the OHV was purchased prior to July 1, 2012, the following is required:

Proof the OHV was purchased prior to the effective date by a purchase agreement or the affidavit in Form OHV-001A.
Proof you are the owner of the OHV by an ownership document or or the affidavit in Form OHV-001A.
Proof of the vehicle identification number (VIN) by a VIN inspection conducted by a Nevada OHV dealer or law enforcement.

If the OHV was purchased on or after July 1, 2012, the following is required:

If sales tax is due, proof that sales tax was paid by an Off-Highway Vehicle Report of Sale from a Nevada dealer or a Use Tax Clearance Certificate (Form APP-08.01) from the Department of Taxation. If sales tax is not due (as in a private party sale), the affidavit available in Form OHV-001C must be completed.
Proof you are the owner of the OHV by an ownership document or the affidavit available in Form OHV-001B or OHV-001C.
Proof of the vehicle identification number (VIN) by an Off-Highway Vehicle Report of Sale from a Nevada dealer, a VIN inspection conducted by a Nevada dealer if the OHV was purchased from an out-of-state dealer or the ownership documents if the OHV was previously registered in Nevada.

You must register within 30 days of purchase or register any existing OHV as soon as possible.

Things to know

Registration of an off-highway vehicle is not required if the vehicle is registered or certified in another state and is located in this State for not more than 15 days.

Please check with the authorities in the area where you will be riding. Some western states have reciprocity laws and will accept a Nevada registration. However, you should ask locally before you ride.

Generally, operation of an OHV on the street is not allowed, unless posted.

Liability insurance is not required to obtain a registration decal.You are not required to obtain an OHV decal if your vehicle is licensed for use on-road.If you have an older Certificate of Operation from the Department of Taxation you will need to obtain a registration decal.

A valid Nevada OHV registration decal might allow you to ride your OHV in other states that have an OHV registration program. Please check with the authorities in the area where you will be riding.

Each registration decal issued for an off-highway vehicle must be placed on the left side or rear of the off-highway vehicle in such a manner that the registration decal is clearly visible from the left side or rear of the off-highway vehicle.

Law enforcement may seize vehicles that are being operated improperly, are stolen or if the VIN has been tampered with. Offences related to a false or fraudulent registration or title are gross misdemeanors or felonies.