Maiden Voyage

dieselpowered said:

Correct me if I am wrong, however, the OHV plate does not give you the ability to run your machine on the street. I believe you still need to go down and replace your OHV plate with a regular plate (if I remember correctly it is a motorcycle plate)

You will also need to ensure that you have insurance on the machine.

The OHV sticker, however, will let you cross a street but I do not think it allows for continual street use.

Nonetheless, I love using the Teryx to run to the store or go over to a buddies house

Click to expand...

I think your getting the OHV "tab" confused with the "RV" plate. You are right about the motorcycle plate though. They give you a motorcycle plate with a OHV tab on it. The motorcycle plate with the OHV tab is was distinguishes the difference between being street legal or not. The RV or "recreational vehicle" plate with the OHV tab is not street legal. With that combo it just gives you the right to be on state lands and nothing more. If you get the Motorcycle plate with the OHV tab you are now street legal. The only reason why we have to even get the OHV tab is because AZ classifies them as "off highway vehicles," and therefore by law, all off highway vehicles have to get the tab. Now here is the neat thing about the OHV tab. When you go to register it, there are 2 questions they ask you. Your 2 choices are, Primary on road/occasionally off road, or primarily off road/occasionally on road. If you chose the second option you only pay like 25 dollars and some change. If you chose the first option you pay the full registration tax, which would probably be around 150 dollars or so. Now I don't know about you guys but I will be using the Commander primarily off road and occasionally on road. Even if I drove it around all day on the street there would be 2 other days I was in the dirt. The other thing is that there is absolutely no difference in the registration they give you at MVD. The only difference is what you pay. Even if the Police check your plate they will see no difference between the two options. I won't go into it, but this I know for a fact. As far as they know your Commander is registered and is street legal. You do still have to have insurance, mirrors, ect, or you will get the ticket.

This is some more info from MVD:

OHV License Plate/Registration Plate Requirements

RV Plate Title Plate (RV)
The “Off-Road” or “RV” plate that you may have on your OHV is only an indication that the vehicle has been titled in the State of Arizona. It is NOT a registration plate and does not allow you to ride or drive on roads that require your vehicle to be registered (street legal/licensed). However, there are exemptions for incidental use on roads requiring registration (street legal/licensed vehicles). In general, incidental use would be crossing a street or conducting very limited travel on it for the purpose of access to OHV area/trails. Check with the local land management agency for information on road status. (Photos courtesy Arizona Game & Fish External Link)

MC Plate Registration Plate (MC)
State motor vehicle laws apply on many backcountry roads; that means your vehicle must be registered and you must be licensed. A good rule of thumb is if a passenger car can use the road, your vehicle will need to be registered. You also need an OHV Decal to operate on unimproved roads, trails and approved use areas not suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicular travel if your vehicle meets the criteria listed below.

What is the OHV Decal?
The OHV Decal is a sticker that must be purchased annually to allow your OHV to be operated within Arizona. The decal will need to be applied to the upper left corner of your license plate, and your license plate will need to be visibly displayed on the rear of your OHV. The dollars collected through the purchase of the OHV Decal are considered an OHV user fee and apply to all OHVs meeting the bulleted criteria in the following paragraph. The OHV Decal should not be confused with “registration.” Registration is required if you want to your OHV to be “street legal” (i.e., operate it on paved and improved roads and streets).

What is considered an off-highway vehicle for the purpose of obtaining the OHV Decal?
An off-highway vehicle is any motor vehicle operated on unimproved roads, trails and approved use areas not suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicular travel. Examples include: ATVs, UTVs, trail motorcycles and dirt bikes. The requirement to purchase an OHV Decal only applies to OHVs meeting both of the following criteria:

* Designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain.
* Has an unladen weight of eighteen hundred pounds or less.

Pickup trucks, SUVs, cars and other recreational vehicles are not required (and will not be able) to obtain an OHV decal. All other regulations apply.

How do I obtain the OHV Decal and what does it cost?
The OHV Decal is available for purchase online at ServiceArizona.com External Link or at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The cost is $25.00. The decal is valid for one year. It is the ATV/OHV owner’s responsibility to purchase subsequent year decals.

Title, License Plate, OHV Decal and Registration: What steps do I need to take to be in compliance with the law?

1. Your OHV/ATV must have an Arizona Certificate of Title in your name. If the vehicle is not titled in your name or you have an out-of-state title, you will need to visit an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider to obtain an Arizona Certificate of Title. All ATV/OHV owners must obtain an Arizona Title for their vehicle(s) by July 1, 2009. Vehicles with an engine displacement less than 49cc’s are not titled in Arizona.
2. The vehicle must have an Arizona license plate. The license plate must be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle and clearly visible.
3. If you need to confirm the vehicle has been issued a license plate and title, you may request a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) online at www.servicearizona.com or visit an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The vehicle identification number (VIN), your driver license number and a $3.00 fee is required to obtain an MVR.
4. Purchase the annual OHV Decal for your OHV on-line at ServiceArizona.com External Link or at an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The OHV Decal shall be affixed to the upper left corner of the license plate.
5. The OHV Decal is valid for one year from purchase. You will NOT be sent a renewal notice. It is your responsibility to renew and display a current OHV Decal on your vehicle license plate annually.
6. If you want to ride on improved and maintained roads, your OHV can be registered for “street legal” use in Arizona. Your vehicle will first need to be titled and then meet all on-highway equipment requirements, plus you will need to purchase the annual OHV Decal.


Street Legal

How do I register my OHV to be “street legal”? (i.e., to operate it on paved or maintained roads) Depending on how you plan to operate your OHV in Arizona, you have two options:
Option 1

Off-Highway
If you operate primarily off-highway, then your vehicle is eligible for a reduced Vehicle License Tax (VLT) of $3.00 and waiver of the registration fee. The following requirements must be satisfied:

* You must purchase an OHV Decal. An OHV owner may request a free motor vehicle registration when paying for the OHV Decal.
* The vehicle must be designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain and have an unladen weight of 1,800 pounds or less.
* You must affirm that your vehicle is equipped for highway use and will be primarily used off-highway.
* Registered vehicles must comply with mandatory insurance requirements.
* Vehicle emission testing requirements may apply.

Option 2

improved roads and highways
If you operate primarily on improved roads and highways (such as city driving), then you are required to register your vehicle, including payment of all fees, through the standard registration process. You must also satisfy the following requirements:

* If your vehicle is designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain and has an unladen weight of 1,800 pounds or less, you must purchase the OHV Decal.
* You must affirm that your vehicle is equipped for highway use.
* Registered vehicles must comply with mandatory insurance requirements.
* Vehicle emissions testing requirements may apply.

My OHV is currently registered for highway use and is street legal, but I primarily use it off highway. When can I get the reduced Vehicle License Tax (VLT) and the registration fee waived?
At the time of your vehicle registration renewal, you will be eligible for the reduced VLT and the registration fee waived if your qualifying vehicle has a valid OHV Decal. There are no refunds for VLT or registration and you WILL still need to purchase the OHV Decal to legally operate in Arizona as of Jan. 1, 2009.

I lost my license plate and/or my OHV Decal, now what do I do?
If it is lost, stolen or mutilated, then you may purchase a replacement for a $5.00 fee at an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider.

I own a truck and would like to purchase the OHV Decal to help support the program. Can I do that?

* No, at this time the OHV Decal can only be purchased for qualifying vehicles:
* Designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain and
* Has an unladen weight of 1,800 pounds or less

Equipment Requirements

What equipment is required to operate my OHV in Arizona?

* A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved spark arrestor device.
* A muffler or noise dissipative device that prevents sound above 96 decibels.
Download J1287 Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles External Link (PDF Document 36 KB PDF)
* For those under 18, a properly fitted and fastened U.S. DOT-approved helmet.
* Brakes.
* Lighted head and taillights if operated between one half-hour after sunset and one half-hour before sunrise.
* Sand dunes and certain areas designated by a land managing agency may require a safety flag. The flag shall be at least 6 by 12 inches and attached to the OHV and flying at least 8 feet above the surface of the level ground.

What equipment is required to street legal my OHV?
In order to register an OHV in Arizona, it must have the following equipment:

* At least one brake that can be operated by hand or foot,
* Brake light
* At least one, but not more than two, headlights that shine at least 500 feet ahead
* At least one taillight visible for at least 500 feet to the rear
* At least one red rear reflector, if not part of the taillight
* License plate securely fastened to the rear of the OHV
* License plate light
* Horn audible from a distance of at least 200 feet
* Muffler in good working order and in constant operation. Muffler cutout, bypass or similar device prohibited.
* Rearview mirror.
* Seat and footrests for the operator.
* Fuel tank cap.
* If you live in the Phoenix or Tucson metro areas you may also need to have your OHV emissions tested.