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Success! Street Legal in Nevada

117K views 151 replies 44 participants last post by  Dunerocket 
#1 ·
Street Legal in Nevada

The summary, for those not into reading the whole thing:

It took a lot of patience, but I have been successful in making my RZR street legal in Nevada, when driven (sic) according to NRS 490.105. :)



The “street legal” OHV sticker. The date is surrounded by stars; this denotes a “Large All-Terrain Vehicle” which has proof of insurance. Ordinary OHV stickers do not have the stars.


The whole process took me 6 days. I filled out the forms and mailed them with a $20 check on Friday. The sticker arrived in the mail the following Thursday.



The Process

As we all know, we’ve been trying to gain use of the privileges granted in Senate Bill 343 since it was signed into law in May of 2013. This placed NRS 490.105 into the books, which allows street legal use.

The stickler, over the last year, has been getting the Nevada OHV / Department of Transportation to actually complete the registration process.

Since I’ve become kind of obsessed with this, I’ve been keeping track of everything that has changed. During a recent Google search for “Nevada Large All Terrain Vehicle” one of the hits was for the registration forms. This perked up my ears, so I downloaded the pdf.



The new option(s) on the registration forms



Step 1
So, I started with the requirements in NRS 490.120. It says your SxS needs the following:
  • At least one headlamp
  • At least one tail lamp
  • At least one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle
  • A stop lamp on the rear of the vehicle
  • A muffler

Our RZR 570 is stock, so no problems there.



Step 2
You need to have insurance. This is referenced in NRS 490.0825 and specifically in NRS 485.185. Basically, it says you need insurance that is:

  • An insurance company licensed in this state.
  • $15,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident
  • $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident
  • $10,000 for destruction of property

Our insurance from State Farm waaaay exceeds this, so, another check mark.



Step 3
Is yours a new registration? Ours has been previously registered (and titled) as an OHV in the State of Nevada, so we didn’t need to get it re-inspected for the VIN number and all that nonsense. Whew.



Step 4
Pick the registration form. We had purchased our RZR in June 2012, so we used the form for

APPLICATION FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE REGISTRATION DECAL
FOR AN OHV PURCHASED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2012


(If you purchased your RZR after July 2012, there is a different form. It’s essentially the same. APPLICATION FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE REGISTRATION DECAL
FOR AN OHV PURCHASED FROM A NEVADA DEALER AFTER 7/1/2012
. Note there are different forms for out of state dealers, private party sales, etc. - scroll to the bottom of the page)


Anyway, you should fill this form out, just check the box for “Large All Terrain Vehicle”.



Then, take this form down to a Notary Public – I went to my local bank, where they have a Notary and don’t charge for their services – and sign the bottom in the Notary’s presence.



Step 5
Next up is this form: LARGE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE INSURANCE DECLARATION. Pull out your insurance card and transfer the insurance details, as well as your Driver’s License information, to this form and sign it (no Notary this time).



Step 6
I paid by check. That and both forms went into an envelope, and I mailed it to the Wright Way address. Six days later, voila – a new registration sticker!





What does this get us?

This makes your RZR street legal under NRS 490.105. Please note this is NOT carte blanche to ride (oops, drive) your RZR willy-nilly on any paved road you want.

Quite literally, you are given permission to drive on only two types of roadways:

  1. County “General roads”
  2. County “Minor roads”

That’s it. If you are inside an incorporated city, those are no longer county roads. If it’s a Nevada State Highway, that, too, isn’t a county road.

However, the vast majority of rural Nevada roads DO fall into something we can drive on. Generally, if it’s two-lane blacktop with a speed limit of 45 mph or less, it’s fair game. Don’t be silly and try to drive on I-80, or down the Vegas strip, or something.

This opens up a lot of territory – for example, we can ride the Black Rock desert, and drive our RZR right into downtown Gerlach and get dinner at Bruno’s.

Each county can pass laws restricting NRS 490. For example, here in Washoe County, you are limited to roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. As far as I know, that’s the only example in Nevada so far.



Summary
So there it is. Took some doing, but it’s available at last!


All the best, james
 
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#74 ·
ê2013 Statutes of Nevada, Page 705 (Chapter 188, SB 343)ê



Sec. 7.  NRS 490.060 is hereby amended to read as follows:

490.060  1.  “Off-highway vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is designed primarily for off-highway and all-terrain use. The term includes, but is not limited to:

(a) An all-terrain vehicle [;] , including, without limitation, a large all-terrain vehicle without regard to whether that large all-terrain vehicle is registered by the Department in accordance with section 5 of this act as a motor vehicle intended to be operated upon the highways of this State;

The above is the definition of an ATV and was amended to include large atv (I think). As for riding on the roads, you can(general and minor county roads) unless there is an Ordinance that says you can't. The roads that are marked with NO ATV's ( that includes registered large ATV's) unless there is an ordinance that says you can......
 
#75 · (Edited)
490.105 gives us permission to operate it on certain roads, except:
2.  The governing body of a city or county within which is located a highway or portion of a highway that has been designated in accordance with NRS 403.170 as a general county road or minor county road may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of large all-terrain vehicles on any portion of such a road.

Long way around to Dunerocket, you understand it right.

Edit: Just saw your above post and yes, my confusion stemmed from the different definitions of large atv vs atv.

This sure would be one heck of a lot easier if they'd just let us plate the dang things. Then I wouldn't have to worry about the ticket that's bound to come from riding on county roads in the Arizona Strip.
 
#78 ·
I got a response from the OHVNV people.

I had asked about what roads and where to find the information. I also told them abot BLM saying they don't recognize our street legal sticker. You can find all this info in the NRS just have to know what your looking for.

Response:

The Large ATV decal allows you to ride on designated county roads. Each county determines which roads they will allow the vehicles on, and you can contact your county assessor’s office to find out which roads have been designated in your area. As far as BLM goes, they do not own the roads, so they have no bearing on what roads you are able to ride on. At this time, the only options are the regular decal and the Large ATV decal – plates are not used for off-highway vehicles.
 
#79 ·
...
Response:

The Large ATV decal allows you to ride on designated county roads. Each county determines which roads they will allow the vehicles on, and you can contact your county assessor’s office to find out which roads have been designated in your area. As far as BLM goes, they do not own the roads, so they have no bearing on what roads you are able to ride on. At this time, the only options are the regular decal and the Large ATV decal – plates are not used for off-highway vehicles.
Nice, Dunerocket.

I agree with the BLM/road statement. Now someone just needs to tell BLM :D

The County Accessor's Office doesn't appear to have that info published on the web.
 
#82 ·
I am a Police Officer here in Vegas and have taken this project on. I got the registration, insurance and equipment covered. I met with the county developer last week and will see him in Thursday. I will give you a full run down soon. Any info you have one the roadways to this point just let me know so I can look into it. Please. I'm David
 
#85 ·
In july's meeting for dunes and trails one of our members who is on the board for the OHV committee for the state gave us an update on what has been happening during the last year.

1, we almost lost the large OHV decals in the last legislative session. We got lucky and the bill that was introduced to put us back to having zero rights didn't get passed.

2, they are doing everything they can to get us a plate but it is an uphill battle. Both parties aren't on our side on this. We need a serious lobbyist to help push on it.

3, I asked what happens if blm gets their dream of shutting down all of the states southern desert. I was told there was nothing the state can do, to which I said so we are suppose to pay for the decal but have to drive to AZ Ca or Utah to ride.

4. They did get the late fee for your registration dropped from 25 to something lower. I didn't hear the number but it was basically the only thing to happen since they were trying to save the OHV sticker system.
 
#86 · (Edited)
Thanks for the update, interesting news there. Seems like there is always something going on to screw the people that use the land. I would like to know what they see as a down side to having a plate. They probably spent months talking about a late sticker fee, who gives a rats ass. pay your registration on time problem solved...Or get rid of it since they can't figure out how to handle the money anyway.......im sure all those other states we ride in will gladly take our money and do some off road good with it.
 
#87 ·
Thanks, Biged.

I'd guess their argument against plates is the usual, "They're not safe on the road" drivel. I'd also guess they have just about zero crash data to support that argument. Well I guess they could also argue that like Al Gore's jet and air conditioners, they're destroying the environment.

The state does have the legal ability to take back that land, so their statement that nothing can be done is simply not true. I wonder what politics were at play for the state legislature to cede it in the first place. That's kind of the opposite of achieving statehood.
 
#89 ·
Since Boulder City is incorporated(no county roads) how would this OHV registration be viewed. The authorities told me that as long as I have a helmet/drive at or below speed limit/stock exhaust and use the shortest route accessto get to the desert...they'll wont bother me. But then it's not in writing either. 2 years and no problems yet.:)
 
#90 ·
I got into the RZR world 3 months ago and got my OHV sticker as part of what the dealer did with paperwork. I have a place in Idaho as well as Vegas and have been looking the best place to register the RZR for a Street legal registration. After reading the OP I was getting excited about going the Nevada route but after reading the last 6 pages I think I am far better off getting my Idaho Street Legal Plate. At least that way I'm set to ride in Idaho, Utah, AZ and still probably better off in Nevada with a hard plate. Thanks for all of the information here guys even though you have all confirmed that Nevada is a royal mess.
 
#91 ·
Does anyone have any experience with the "street legal" NV registration sticker w/ required insurance, and driving around in Moab?

I would have all of the necessary safety/street legal equipment. I know NV is a reciprocity state with Utah (at least that is what the Utah literature says), but I am not sure how Utah views our registration sticker since it's not a "plate".
 
#92 ·
Just got done reading all 7 pages and being that Fernley is "incorporated" all city streets or major highways in Fernley so this don't do me much good:sad:
 
#94 ·
I hope I'm wrong but everything I read says "county major or county minor roads". I called my county and they said all roads in city limits of Fernley where given to the city of Fernley. any other road around Fernley is either dirt or over 55 MPH witch is no go as well or HWY
 
#95 ·
^ 490.105 ... "2.  The governing body of a city or county within which is located a highway or portion of a highway that has been designated in accordance with NRS 403.170 as a general county road or minor county road may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of large all-terrain vehicles on any portion of such a road."

This tells me the city has to prohibit (by ordinance or resolution) our use on designated roads.

The designation is to be done by a board and (apparently) the designation extends into city boundaries. Which in a way makes sense. Look at the beltway in the Vegas valley. That part of it which is not designated as intestate is designated as a county road which travels through North Las Vegas, Vegas, and Clark County.
 
#97 ·
^ 490.105 ... "2.  The governing body of a city or county within which is located a highway or portion of a highway that has been designated in accordance with NRS 403.170 as a general county road or minor county road may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of large all-terrain vehicles on any portion of such a road."

This tells me the city has to prohibit (by ordinance or resolution) our use on designated roads.

The designation is to be done by a board and (apparently) the designation extends into city boundaries. Which in a way makes sense. Look at the beltway in the Vegas valley. That part of it which is not designated as intestate is designated as a county road which travels through North Las Vegas, Vegas, and Clark County.
This is my hang up. 490.105 section 2 deals with highways going through a city not city streets. The ordinance has to do with highways going through town. like highway 50 and highway 95 going through Fernley. Nothing in this law about city street. Everything is about county roads and highways. what am I missing here?
 
#96 ·
It's not complicated, It takes like 10 minutes to fill out the proper forms. You do have to have insurance. Sent the paper work off with $20.00 a week later got my new sticker in the mail.
Sorry for the confusion. You're right, getting the sticker is not complicated (unless you bought from an out of state dealer and they did not charge you Nevada taxes even though they said they did). :sad:

Getting a hard and fast answer as to what roads are minor and general, is not so simple. Lately guys have been getting stopped for not being with two miles of a trail head. And good luck with getting out of state cops to recognize the Nevada sticker as road legal. That's what I mean when I say complicated.
Brian,

That "complicated" part only applies to Nevada residents and only IF you bought from a dealer and IF you don't have paperwork showing you paid the equivalent to the Nevada Sales tax.

As to what roads you can ride on, the state law says that it is up to the Counties to declare. If you go to each County website and look at their County Regulations, you will find what roads they allow or prohibit ORV's to use.

Most of the counties allow the majority of all County paved and unpaved roads to be ridden on, as long as you meet the minimum safety guidelines in the State law, like helmet, stoplight, seat belts, etc.

Most of the times where we have heard of people getting ticketed, was in cruising down a state highway, or doing something stupid like no helmet or shoulder harness/seatbelt.

Thanks. I'm going to cut and paste this into the Street Legal in Nevada thread. I feel like a hijacker.

__________________


The sales tax thing was a jab at an audience who isn't even present. It's one of things I don't seem to be letting go of, apparently.

I believe I found the map to which you are referring: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/...Documents/MoapaValleyOHVDesignatedRoadMap.pdf

That map is an OHV road designation for Moapa Valley which was created under the authority of NRS 490.100  Authority of city or county to designate portion of highway for off-highway vehicle use; That's different than minor/general road designations for registered SxSs which are created under NRS 490.105  Large all-terrain vehicle: Operation on certain roads authorized. In other words, the roads shown on the map are designated for atvs, buggys, non-street registered SxSs, off-road bikes, etc. These are not minor/general road designations.

What I cannot find is the main/general/minor road designations for "large all-terrain" vehicles, (NRS 403.170  Designation of main, general and minor county roads). Is this map out? I don't see it on the county's site.

There's more, but how about we just focus on this for the moment.
 
#98 ·
Sorry for the confusion. You're right, getting the sticker is not complicated (unless you bought from an out of state dealer and they did not charge you Nevada taxes even though they said they did). :sad:

Getting a hard and fast answer as to what roads are minor and general, is not so simple. Lately guys have been getting stopped for not being with two miles of a trail head. And good luck with getting out of state cops to recognize the Nevada sticker as road legal. That's what I mean when I say complicated.
Brian,

That "complicated" part only applies to Nevada residents and only IF you bought from a dealer and IF you don't have paperwork showing you paid the equivalent to the Nevada Sales tax.

As to what roads you can ride on, the state law says that it is up to the Counties to declare. If you go to each County website and look at their County Regulations, you will find what roads they allow or prohibit ORV's to use.

Most of the counties allow the majority of all County paved and unpaved roads to be ridden on, as long as you meet the minimum safety guidelines in the State law, like helmet, stoplight, seat belts, etc.

Most of the times where we have heard of people getting ticketed, was in cruising down a state highway, or doing something stupid like no helmet or shoulder harness/seatbelt.

Thanks. I'm going to cut and paste this into the Street Legal in Nevada thread. I feel like a hijacker.

__________________


The sales tax thing was a jab at an audience who isn't even present. It's one of things I don't seem to be letting go of, apparently.

I believe I found the map to which you are referring: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/...Documents/MoapaValleyOHVDesignatedRoadMap.pdf

That map is an OHV road designation for Moapa Valley which was created under the authority of NRS 490.100  Authority of city or county to designate portion of highway for off-highway vehicle use; That's different than minor/general road designations for registered SxSs which are created under NRS 490.105  Large all-terrain vehicle: Operation on certain roads authorized. In other words, the roads shown on the map are designated for atvs, buggys, non-street registered SxSs, off-road bikes, etc. These are not minor/general road designations.

What I cannot find is the main/general/minor road designations for "large all-terrain" vehicles, (NRS 403.170  Designation of main, general and minor county roads). Is this map out? I don't see it on the county's site.

There's more, but how about we just focus on this for the moment.

Brian,

I am on the road and getting crappy Internet service,so don't have the ability to look it up right now, but, if you look at the County Rgulations, you will find the underplaying ordinances which have all the legal boilerplate that depicts all the roads on the map that you posted. A good example is Nye County, they clearly talk about paved and unpaved roadways and trails.

The reason I prefer the actual ordinances is that you don't have to worry that someone may have messed up in translating the ordinance into a map.

The sales tax thing is pretty messed up, especially when it comes to used vehicles.

John
 
#102 ·
I have been pulled over in fernley on a side street in a neighborhood. I was far left on the pavement and only doing about 15 mph when Lyon county sheriff pulled up beside me and told me I can't be riding in the streets. Told him I was just trying to get to the gas station for gas and he said you need to trailer it like everybody else. He was nice and never even got out of his car but still sucks I can't even get to a gas station without being harassed. That was this spring.

clarkcountynv.gov > Departments > Public Works > Traffic Management > Projects > Off-Highway Vehicles = Off-Highway Vehicles

It is the same map and accompanying street list that I linked to above. Map. Road List. They're pdfs.

The code states a copy is on file with the department of public works and the clerk's office. I see nothing on the clerk's page.

Apparently there is no online listing of the main/general/minor county roads online -- or I'm missing it. I have an email into Public Works asking about it. Will advise.
From what I have read and researched they don't have a such map. I have called everyone in my county and no one even knows what I'm talking about when I ask for the map
 
#101 ·
clarkcountynv.gov > Departments > Public Works > Traffic Management > Projects > Off-Highway Vehicles = Off-Highway Vehicles

It is the same map and accompanying street list that I linked to above. Map. Road List. They're pdfs.

The code states a copy is on file with the department of public works and the clerk's office. I see nothing on the clerk's page.

Apparently there is no online listing of the main/general/minor county roads online -- or I'm missing it. I have an email into Public Works asking about it. Will advise.
 
#105 ·
...

Apparently there is no online listing of the main/general/minor county roads online -- or I'm missing it. I have an email into Public Works asking about it. Will advise.
Public works does a good job answering their email and if I would have read down to NRS 403.190, I would have asked the right office the question. NRS says this map is to be filed with the county clerk and the county recorder. So I have another email out. Will advise.
 
#103 ·
Toy 2, the only though I have for you is to hit the city council up for designated routes.

Argument #1: If I were up in that area with the motorhome and RZR and if it were legal to drive the RZR into town, I'd be far more inclined to stop for lunch or dinner after a ride, pick up some groceries, and top off the tank before heading back to the motorhome. Else wise, I'm going back to the motorhome for lunch, dinner, fuel and I'll restock on the next scheduled stop. In other words, this would mean more money for local businesses. Getting support from local businesses or business associations would probably be a good first step.
 
#104 · (Edited)
Toy 2, actually I do have one other tidbit, as unhelpful as it may be:

NRS 403.170  Designation of main, general and minor county roads; immunity of State and county from liability resulting from use of minor county roads; reclassification and abandonment of roads; hearing.
1.  The board of county highway commissioners of each of the several counties of the State of Nevada shall:
(a) Lay out and designate which of the roads, generally termed public highways, are the most important to the people of the whole county and over which there is the greatest amount of general public travel and shall designate these roads as main county roads.
(b) Lay out and designate other roads of the county over which there is general public travel, and which are generally termed county roads, and shall designate these roads as general county roads.
(c) Lay out and designate other roads which are neither main nor general county roads but have been established by usage, or were constructed for use by the public, and shall designate these roads as minor county roads. This section does not require any maintenance for minor county roads. The State and the county are immune from liability for damages suffered by a person as a result of using any road designated as a minor county road.
2.  The board of county highway commissioners may, from time to time, reclassify the roads and may lay out new roads of any class, or the board may change or abandon any roads termed as public highways.
3.  The designation of a new road as a main county road, as a general county road or as a minor county road, or the reclassification of any road, or the abandonment of any road does not become effective until after a public hearing is held at which parties in interest and citizens have an opportunity to be heard. At least 10 days’ notice of the time and place of the hearing must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

(emphasis added)

In Nevada state law, "shall" means "will." In other words, if the counties haven't done this, they're not in compliance with this law. Attending a meeting of the county commissioners might be in order. This is not a new law, by the way. It's been around in one form or another since 1913, if I'm reading it right and I believe I am.
 
#108 ·
a few points and I may have missed them or am mistaken all together;
1) If fully licensed with plates, we may not be able to use OHV trails. I understand they do not allow any street vehicles.
2) Reciprocity with other states is not likely to change. I am told Nv will not allow Az licensed OHV on the roads as they do not comply with our NRS codes
3) As mentioned earlier in the thread, does not comply with county roads within the unincorporated areas of L.V. but in rural areas. I wouldn't expect a problem in these areas anyway if getting to & from trails unless driving carelessly.

Does anybody know?
 
#109 ·
"Does anybody know?" The million dollar question. Depends on who your "anybody" is and how they decide to interpret the laws.

1) An off-road vehicle is always an off-road vehicle. When licensed, it can be allowed on certain roads but anywhere "off-road vehicles" are prohibited, it will be prohibited. You see this around Beaver and Cedar Mts in communities and campgrounds, for example.

2) The local judge threw out a ticket written to the driver of an AZ registered SxS for operating it on the highway.

3) I live in Moapa. The cops out here go through varying degrees of tolerance depending on who the Sgt is at the time. Before we became "ATV friendly" there was a time you could pretty much ride your side by side or quad anywhere, the exception being the kids that would mess around on the street. There were just a couple cops who didn't like it, but overall it was tolerated.

Now that we are "ATV friendly" I've heard of guys getting stopped for no helmet and for not being within 2 miles of a "trail head." The trail head stop is absurd, imho.

All of the above is what I've heard 2nd and 3rd hand. I haven't ever been stopped out here, but I go to ridiculous lengths to stay off the highway and when on the back roads, I ride about 5 under and stay close to the road edge when it's safe but I rarely ride on the dirt shoulder because I'd just be creating dust for the poor bastards that live near that road. Sometimes I even wear a helmet.

Clear as mud?
 
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