Off-Roading by State: Legal 4WD Access in the USA

License Plates vs OHV Registration

The question most 4WD owners have is whether a street-registered truck or Jeep also needs a state OHV sticker. The answer depends on the state, because each one writes its own definition of an off-highway vehicle. Four states show how wide the range is:

What the Stickers Cost

Colorado's OHV registration and OHV permit each cost $26.25, which includes a $1.25 search-and-rescue surcharge, and both run April 1 to March 31 with no proration for part of a year. California's Green Sticker costs $54 per vehicle for a two-year registration, $2 a year of which goes to the California Highway Patrol. Fees change, so each state guide links the agency page to confirm the current figure.

Where the Rules Come From

• Arizona: A.R.S. 28-1177 requires the OHV user indicia (the decal) for a vehicle that is designed primarily for travel over unimproved terrain and has an unladen weight of 2,500 lb or less. A full-size pickup fails the weight test.
• Texas: Chapter 29 of the Parks and Wildlife Code requires the decal for anyone operating an OHV at an OHV legal venue on public land or on land that received a TPWD OHV grant.
• California: the OHMVR Division states that Green Sticker identification is not required for properly registered vehicles with a license plate.
• Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires the OHV Permit for all plated, street-legal vehicles when traveling on a designated OHV trail or open area for recreational use on public lands.

State Stickers Don't Change Federal Route Rules

A state sticker covers the vehicle; it does not open a route. On national forest land, you may drive only the roads, trails and areas shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map for your vehicle class (36 CFR 261.13), and a road marked for highway-legal vehicles only stays closed to an unplated trail rig. BLM areas are designated Open, Limited or Closed (43 CFR 8340.0-5). Each state guide lists the managing agency for its main areas, so you know whose map to check.

Recommended gear

A first recovery kit for any 4WD

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#1

ARB RK9A Premium Recovery Kit

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#2

MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards

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#3

Staun Automatic Tire Deflators (6–30 PSI)

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#4

VIAIR 400P 12V Portable Air Compressor

Best for airing back up before you hit pavement.

• Portable 12V compressor rated to 150 PSI.
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