Out of state California OHV registration

KenR

Member
Feb 20, 2002
193
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Towards the middle of next month, I'll have the opportunity to get out of the snow and ride in some great southern California desert.

My bikes are registered in Utah. Can anyone tell me if I'll need to register them in California in order to ride? I've been to the CA DMV site and haven't found the answer...their phone is always busy.

Thanks!
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,349
3
My understanding is if your bike is currently registered in your home state, you are legal to ride in CA.  There used to be a 'temporary' permit for riders that were unregsistered in their home states, but I don't think it was used often.

Come on out and have some fun.   FWIW, on most public lands out here you are required to have a USFS approved spark arrestor.

 
 
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KiwiBird

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Jan 30, 2000
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You can get an out of state OHV sticker at some Forest Service or BLM ranger stations, some bike shops carry them too. The DMV knows nothing about them.
 

a454elk

Mexicutioner
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Jun 5, 2001
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Exactly, DMV has no clue. Kiwi is right.
 

MrLuckey

Fire Marshall Ed
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Feb 9, 2000
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I had one about 2yrs ago. If I remember correctly they are good for a year. I actually got checked before I had one but the ranger didn't ticket me as I showed him my OK plates and dl. Probably a good idea to carry your Utah dl with you on rides to prove you're not a native trying to beat the system.
 

mprest4

Member
Nov 14, 2001
90
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i moved to cali from tx. you just have to buy a out of state sticker and put it on your bike. you can get them at most mc shops. make sure you have a spark arrestor if you are going to be on public land. oh yeah, they will make you show your utah lic.
 

xTYBALTx

Member
Mar 10, 2004
118
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Sorry to resurrect this olllld topic, but I have to know. I'm no longer a CA citizen, now Wyoming. Are you saying I could ride a 2004 red stickered 2-stroke year round in CA with this out-of-state permit?

I was going to get my bike Wyoming plated and avoid the whole OHV registration thing altogether, but this could be even easier.
 

KiwiBird

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Jan 30, 2000
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Yes but you should have an out of CA state driver's license or some proof you live out of CA.
 

velosapiens

Member
Mar 18, 2002
170
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if your bike is registered in any state, you do NOT need a non-resident sticker in california (or anywhere else as far as i know). if you are from nevada or somewhere that does not currently register ohv's, then you need a registration sticker to ride in oregon, california or idaho. i believe that a sticker from a state where you don't reside (like the idaho sticker on my 250sx) should also be good in other states where i don't reside (like california, thank god).
 

xTYBALTx

Member
Mar 10, 2004
118
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That's crazy. . . if you live in CA why not just buy a Wyoming registration and be done with it? Or Idaho reg for that matter?

Anyways, technically, my Wyoming sticker will be sufficient for riding in CA? That's a great weight off my shoulders!
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,349
3
xTYBALTx said:
That's crazy. . . if you live in CA why not just buy a Wyoming registration and be done with it? Or Idaho reg for that matter?

Same reason we can't register our cars and get our driver's licenses from states that have cheaper fees.

We live in California, and the state insists on getting their cut of everything we do. If you live in California, own the bike in California and ride it in California, your choice is to pay California fees or be in violation.

Kiwi mentioned earlier if you are riding with an out of state registration on your dirt bike, you would be wise to have ID showing an out of state residence.
 

MrLuckey

Fire Marshall Ed
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Feb 9, 2000
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dirt bike dave said:
Kiwi mentioned earlier if you are riding with an out of state registration on your dirt bike, you would be wise to have ID showing an out of state residence.

Right on, I was riding up at Kennedy Meadows with Kiwi and a ranger checked out my out of state sticker. He was very apprehensive until I showed him my OK drivers license.
 

kelsorat

Knucklehead Newbie
Nov 5, 2001
916
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Don't put too much thought into it. If you are dez riding this time of year, you are not likely to run into BLM or anybody else for that matter.
 
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