California State

What you should know to ride on public lands! Off Highway Vehicles (OHV’s) include: dune buggies, motorcycles and All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s).

The following are California State Laws and Federal Regulations.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY

• OHV’s must be equipped with an approved muffler, brakes, and spark arrester. (Headlight and tail-lights are required for driving at night.)
• Safety helmets are required for motorcycle operators and passengers when driving on graded, gravel roads, county roads, and state and federal highways.
• Operators must be able to reach and operate all controls on the vehicle.
• Vehicles must meet noise limits as specified in the California Vehicle Code.

SPEED LAWS

• Basic Speed Law: Don’t operate your vehicle faster than is safe for conditions.
• Ride 15 mph within 50 ft. of any concentration of people or animals.

REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

• Operators of motorcycles and dune buggies must be licensed by the state in which the operator is a resident
• Vehicles operated on county roads and state and federal highways must be licensed for highway use. (This means headlights, tail-lights, signal indicators etc.)
• Off-highway vehicles owned by California residents must be registered with the CA DMV and display a valid "Green Sticker" registration tag in a clearly visible location on the vehicle. Out of-state vehicles must be registered in the home state.

OPERATING AN OHV UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS

• It is illegal for any person who is under the influence of alcohol or any drug, or a combination of both to drive an OHV.

California State law specific to All Terrain Vehicles

(ATV) REQUIRED RIDER SAFETY TRAINING

• Persons under 18 must have an approved safety certificate in possession or be under direct supervision of an adult who is in possession of an approved safety certificate.
• Persons under 14 must have an approved safety certificate in possession AND MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AND UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION of a parent or authorized adult guardian who is in possession of an approved safety certirtcate.
• NO PASSENGERS are allowed on ATV’s
• HELMET USAGE — All persons, regardless of age, who operate or ride all-terrain vehicles on public lands must wear an approved safety helmet. These laws may be enforced by the CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, the local SHERIFF, and FEDERAL OFFICERS.

The above laws and regulations are brief descriptions to be used as a guideline. A complete listing is available at Forest Service, BLM and Department of Motor Vehicle offices. Be sure to check with the appropriate agencies before riding. Special regulations may exist for certain areas.

THINK BEFORE YOU RIDE!