Heard the same thing. Figures.......I get a new 2003 and the new rule effects up to 2002s ! Here's something I got from another site:
There has recently been a substantial change to the registration of
off-highway vehicles in California. Beginning with the upcoming June
2003 renewal date, ALL 2002 and older (2002 and back) model year OHV's
will be issued "green stickers". This is regardless of
whether these
vehicles were originally issued red or green stickers and regardless of
whether they do or do not meet the emissions requirements for OHV's in
the state of CA. From model year 2003 and on, all
"non-complying" OHV's
will receive "red stickers".
I've contacted both the DMV and the CA Air Resources Board (ARB) and
found out that the information below is being distributed as an insert
in all the upcoming June 2003 OHV renewal notices. This info is not
being generally distributed via websites or handouts, only as the insert
in DMV renewal notices. Below is the relevant info from a copy of the
insert obtained from DMV.
"ATTENTION CALIFORNIA OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (OHRV) OWNERS
Off Highway-Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) registration guidelines have
changed. The type of registration sticker issued this year to your
OHRV
may be different than previously issued. Please read the following
important information regarding the use of your OHRV on public lands in
California.
California has an OHRV program that includes the way your OHRV's are
built for use in California, how they are registered by the Department
of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and how they are ridden on public lands.
http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov
Green Sticker
Year round use at all California OHRV riding areas.
Green Stickers are issued to OHRVs certified by their manufacturer to
meet the California OHRV emission standards (anti-pollution) and ALL
2002 model year and older OHRVs. OHRVs certified to meet emissions
standards are identified by a label attached to the vehicle frame by the
manufacturer
Red Sticker
At California OHRV riding areas, seasonal use only.
A list of the seasonal riding periods is available on the web at:
http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=21928.
Red stickers are issued to 2003 model year and newer OHRVs that are not
certified to California OHRV emissions standards. Your OHRV should be
issued a Red Sticker if it is a 2003 model year or newer vehicle and you
see a "C or "3" in the eighth digit of your VIN.