If OHVs Are Part Of Your 2018 Plans, Take A Safety Course, Get A Decal

For those whose garages got a little bit fuller during the holiday season with the addition of an off-highway vehicle (OHV) - or veteran riders who frequently hit Arizona's trails and dirt roads - the Arizona Game And Fish Department encourages everyone to take a riding safety course.

An Overview Of Basic Skills

Whether riding an all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike or side-by-side, completing a safety course will ensure users have an overview of the basic skills required to safely ride in or operate an OHV.

"New riders don't always understand the full capabilities and power of their OHV," said Kim Jackson, off-highway vehicle safety education program manager for the Arizona Game And Fish Department. "Taking a hands-on safety course is the best way to get that knowledge before you're out on the trail and have questions or run into an unexpected issue."

The department's website links to a number of hands-on courses that are offered by different groups as well as online classes. In addition to being a best practice for all OHV enthusiasts, completing a safety course may make participants eligible for a discount on their insurance.

Keep These Current

The other key piece of preparing for that first outing is ensuring the vehicle's registration is up-to-date and that the OHV Decal is current. All OHVs in Arizona require a title and must properly display a license plate. Two license plates are available for OHVs depending on how the vehicle is used:

A title-only license plate is identified by the letters "RV" and does not allow for travel on roads that require "street legal" registration.

A registration license plate is identified by the letters "MC" and is a "street-legal" plate that allows travel on roads, trails and areas on which registration is required. Essentially if the OHV is operating on roads that a passenger car can use, this license plate is needed and the owner will complete a standard registration process.

Consider The Type Of Use

If the OHV is being driven on unimproved roads, trails and areas not suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles like passenger cars, an OHV Decal must be purchased each year regardless of which type of license plate is assigned to it. If the OHV is operated primarily off-highway, it may be eligible for a reduced vehicle license tax and a waived registration fee - users should purchase the OHV Decal first in order to be eligible for the reduced fee.

Once the OHV Decal is obtained, the owner can sign up for an annual email renewal notice to help ensure it stays current. License plates and the OHV Decal are obtained from the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division or authorized third-party providers.

For More Information

Get more information about safety courses and OHV rules and regulations at http://www.azgfd.gov/OHV.