Riding an ATV in California

In California, you have to have a street-legal license plate and a Department of Motor Vehicles-issued Green or Red Sticker order for operating an ATV on public land. The Green Sticker gives you the right to run all year long on public land. The Red Sticker is specific to ATVs built in 2003 or later that did not come up to California Air Resources Board's emission standards. During certain times of the year, riding an ATV with a Red Sticker in California is prohibited. Check out your local area for more information.

Riding an ATV in California with an open container of alcohol is strictly illegal. As far as equipment required to get your ATV legal, a US Forest Service-approved spark arrester, a good muffler, good headlights and one red taillight if you plan on riding an ATV in California between sunset and sunrise, and an approved helmet that fits are all musts to be inside the law.

Once you've completed the requirements to get legal for riding an ATV in California, you can start to relax and have some real fun. The state of California has hundreds of federal and local Off-Highway Vehicle parks, tracks and trails. Many parks boast restroom and camping facilities, though you should be aware that it is illegal to operate an ATV in California close to other campers at anything but very low speeds.

Presently motorized trails are being created for riding an ATV in California, south through Baja California, and north into Oregon. With its abundant state parks and user-friendly trails, California is a natural for ATV enthusiasts.