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The "REAL DEAL" on How to Street Legal Your RZR in AZ

150K views 139 replies 53 participants last post by  arizona trailboss 
#1 ·
Alright, I'm sure someone's gonna get their feathers ruffled over this, but oh well.

Today I had to renew the registration on my Harley and asked some questions while I was at MVD (since there has been some recent contoversy as far as how to really Street Legal your RZR on this site).

For those of you that want the real deal on plating your RZR in AZ, read on.
I will put all of this in PLAIN TEXT and you can compare it to the written law on your own. But ultimately, you are responsible for finding out at AZ DOT MVD (the agency that has jurisdiction on licensing for the street).

The law is actually pretty straight forward on this. The only real strange gray area is on windshield or no windshield.....I'll get to that later. I'll put some links up for the written law and a couple other links, but this is for those of you that want to follow the law. If you want to challenge the law and 'the man,' this isn't for you. Chances are you could drive down the street in Havasu non-street legal and wave to the nice cop and get a wave back. That's on you.......but I know through first hand experience that they aren't typically allowing it.

Let's cover some facts first: Arizona has 2 different registrations for OHV's.

TITLE PLATE: It says 'RV' on it with a number, it is strictly registering the vehicle to the owner in the state of AZ. To play offroad, you need the OHV sticker ($25). THIS IS NOT A STREET LIC PLATE. The title plate + OHV sticker = CA Green Sticker

REGISTRATION PLATE: It says 'MC' on it with a number, it is for registering to the owner in the state of AZ. Also, to play offroad, you will need the OHV decal. This IS for street leagalizing your RZR on the street. It requires street legal equipment AND insurance.

Now, an OHV is not an OHV is not an OHV.........there are different equipment requirements for a Street Legal (SL) OHV Motorcycle compared to a SL OHV Quad/ATV compared to a SL OHV Side by Side. This isn't my law, but AZ's law. It is what it is. For this thread, we'll focus on Side by Sides (which under AZ law, is enforced under 'golf carts') Whatever!

STREET LEGAL EQUIPMENT for a golf cart or side by side ohv:
(This will be a little different than street legaling your Dirt Bike or quad) The items with stars are the items your RZR does not have from the factory.
-Brakes
-TWO headlights
-Horn***
-License plate light ***
-Tail lights
-Rear view mirror***
-Reflectors
-Brake lights
-and yes, a WINDSHIELD***

Just because your Street Legal RZR has a "MC" plate, doesn't make it a motorcycle. How your insurance wants to look at it is one thing, but how MVD looks at it, well, they see it as a golf cart. That's why "eye protection" isn't adequate.......a windshield is needed. Oh well, looks like your wallet will be $150 lighter.

To be street legal, your RZR needs to have the above equipment (RZR+windshield, rearview mirror, horn, lighted license plate) AND insurance. Not that hard, right?

REDUCED VLT: Let me use myself as an example………….I only street legaled my KTM and RZR to get to the dirt. For those of you like me, there is a waiver you can sign where you are certifying that you are only doing the street legal thing in order to get to the dirt. It doesn’t waive the other requirements, but it reduces your yearly reg fee. Mine went from $110 / year to $3 / year. (plus $25 for the OHV Decal).

OUT OF STATE VISITORS: The following is copy and pasted from this page (Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Program: Rules & Laws ). It is a paraphrased version of the written law, so it’s more digestible.

“NON-RESIDENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION and OHV DECAL: Whether an off-highway vehicle (OHV) operator is legal to operate an OHV in Arizona depends on the state that they come from. If the machine follows the OHV registration/insurance and sticker requirements of the operator’s home State then you may operate in Arizona for 30 consecutive days and you do not need an Arizona title plate, Arizona registration plate, or OHV decal to ride on unmaintained, existing, open, authorized routes on public lands in Arizona. You must abide by Arizona laws, rules, and regulations of course.”

This means (per the nice lady at MVD) that if you have a Street Legal Wyoming RZR, it’s street legal in AZ for up 30 consecutive days (of course, you have to have Insurance AND street legal equipment). If you have a California Green Sticker RZR, it’s OHV legal in Arizona for 30 days………your CA Green Sticker works here for 30 days as long as you are OFF ROAD.

Since you can’t Street Legal a RZR in CA, the 30 day contingency DOES NOT WORK in AZ. As stated before, after talking to the nice lady at MVD, a CA Green Sticker reciprocates as an AZ OHV decal for 30 days. Technically, they want you to buy an AZ OHV Decal after 30 days.

While talking to her, I asked her, “If I live in CA and have a Green Sticker, is it street legal here in AZ as long as it’s lit up and I have insurance?” She giggled and stared at me not sure if I was kidding or not. She then said, “No.” Then I said, “It would be off road legal for 30 days, though, right?” She said “Yes.”

OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS with an address here, also: This is for the typical CA guy that also has a vacation house here in Havasu or whatever…………..You can do everything a normal fulltime AZ resident can do in this case. The only warning I have for you is MAKE SURE YOUR RZR INSURANCE IS AZ INSURANCE. My neighbor found out the hard way on this (He normally lives in CA, but has a house across from me). The registered address is the AZ address. His mailing address is the CA address.


Sorry this is so wordy, but in the interest of informing the increasing number of Californians asking about this and the bad info that has been handed out before, the length of this post was necessary.

I may have missed something here, but that’s it for me on this post. I don’t have to prove a point here and post up all the laws (like on the last thread) because that’s up to you! I can sleep tonight knowing that the stuff in my garage and my friends' vehicles are all legal.:ride:
 
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#64 ·
That lady has no clue what she is talking about. According to the law the reduced fee for the primarily off road is valid if you drive over 50% off road. It makes no difference where you drive the other 49%. You could drive it to work and the grocery store every day if you want as long as more than 50% of your miles are off road.
 
#68 ·
Here is the actual law- This was directly cut and pasted from the Arizon Revised Statutes. Link to the website.

"C. When a person pays for an off-highway vehicle user indicia pursuant to this section, the person may request a motor vehicle registration if the vehicle meets all equipment requirements to be operated on a highway pursuant to article 16 of this chapter. If a person submits a signed affidavit to the department affirming that the vehicle meets all of the equipment requirements for highway use and that the vehicle will be operated primarily off of highways, the department shall register the vehicle for highway use and the vehicle owner is not required to pay the registration fee prescribed in section 28-2003."

The key word in the law is Primarily. The word is not defined in the definitions section of the law. Any place that you want to look up the word you will find that it is defined as "for the most part". It is pretty clear that you just have to do most of your driving off road. Remember this is never defined as sub street legal but rather a full street legal just like your car or truck.

Highway use. Here is the definition of Highway from the actual law- "3. "Highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained by the federal government, the department, a city, a town or a county if any part of the way is generally open to the use of the public for purposes of conventional two-wheel drive vehicular travel."

By that definition you can drive anywhere that any other regular car can. The only disclaimer is that you drive it off road more than on. It makes no difference where you go as long as you meet the "Primarily" requirement.
 
#66 ·
Below you will find the actual wording from the Off Highway Vehicle Decal application. It doesn't say what you can and cannot do on the way to the dirt, but it IS, however, the law and its vagueness could be used in your favor.

Once again, though, it's probably not the best idea to screw around running all your errands in your RZR unless you have the full blown reg. It would be hard to justify to a lawman. Again, interpret how you wish:

VEHICLE TYPE
I certify that the vehicle described above meets both of the following criteria:
1. Is designed by the mfr primarily for travel over unimproved terrain
2. Has an unladen weight of 1,800 lbs or less

VEHICLE USAGE
I further certify that the vehicle described above will be used (Check one box only):
() Exclusively off highway
() Primarily off highway (insurance and emissions requirements may apply)
() Primarily on highway (insurance and emissions requirements may apply)
 
#71 ·
Pretty straight forward ..... But could still depend on whether the "officer in question" is in a bad mood based on numerous "off-roaders" screwing up traffic flow, hot dogging, trying to out run him etc etc. He could probably have you towed just because he wants to. Best to be nice to the locals and the local law enforcement and you should not have a problem. And if you do run into difficulties, stay positive because you do have the law on your side....You won't get the towing fees back without a big fight tho'

FYI: This year we got the renewal for our 2011 RZR and it was for $187 (original reg was $4.50) We went in to the MVD and she said "yeah, they made a mistake". Total WITH offroad sticker was just under $30. :)
 
#69 ·
Thanks all for helpful info. My situation is slightly different. I am California legal resident. I do most of my ATV riding in Utah and Arizona. I wish to buy a new RZR outside of CA, perhaps in either Utah or Arizona. Utah dealers will sell me a RZR without collecting sales tax and without issuing any registration. I can then purchase Utah non resident off road sticker for my unregistered RZR and legally ride my RZR off road in Utah. So will Arizona then issue an Arizona title and street legal plate on a brand new and suitably equipped unregistered RZR purchased in Utah. And what are Arizona sales tax collection procedures.
 
#73 ·
Curious if anybody on this actual forum... not a friends sisters brother has ever got a citation for no windshield while they were wearing eye protection... A no turn signal equipment citation not a failure to signal... or a non-dot approved tire citation in Arizona on an Arizona street legal required road with the proper plate and stickers ect.. on the vehicle... If so what was the out come and how much did it cost ya?

Sorry for the wordiness i am just trying to figure out what exactly they like to enforce out there and what the consequences are... I personally have mine registered full street legal and all i added to the factory equipment was a horn and a license plate holder with light... i always wear goggles when i drive it and have never been hassled "knock on wood" but i usually only drive it to the gas station in town otherwise it is trailored up to the forest and i ride on street legal required forest roads up around the mogollon rim and ect... not trying to stir the pot here just curious
 
#74 ·
I have not been hassled or pulled over for any of those. Luckily, the Rzr comes equipped with the really important stuff that would freak a cop out, such as h/l, t/l, b/l, and seatbelts.

In my area (Havasu) they don't hassle people for those ticky tacky items you're asking about........these cops are smarter than that. Thank god!
 
#75 · (Edited)
No they don't hassle you for those minor items. Turn Signals are not required items since you can use hand signals. They don't care one bit about dot approved tires. The windshield shouldn't give you any trouble as long as you have eye protection. My understanding is that it would be a repair ticket anyways and all you would have to do is add a windshield afterwards and show proof. Most cops or forest service are more concerned that you have paid the off road and registration stickers.
 
#103 ·
They don't care one bit about dot approved tires.
Drove the back way to Wickenburg from Lake Pleasant this weekend. Posted pix of the RZR parked out front of the cafe we ate at. One of my oldest friends commented about dick cops and getting a ticket for non-DOT approved tires. I've known this guy for 30 years and he's not prone to BS.

What exactly is the scoop with DOT approved tires in AZ?
 
#78 ·
I just got my 2012 rzr s plated went to MVD and they said no way because I didn't live here .. So I left went to buy insurance (either way i needed to buy it) the lady there told me to use the address to any storage facility (like one you would rent to store the rzr while your not using it) from there i decided to go to a different MVD about 30 miles away it went very smooth by giving them that address then after she got the plates I asked her to please send all mail to my California address she said no problem all said and done it cost me $33.50 at the MVD and $289 for full coverage insurance with $250 deductible and $5000 in medical coverage for anyone riding (insurance was State Farm) one thing that was different is that they print you a new title right there .. In California it takes a few weeks


Thanks for the great thread I wouldn't have done it if there wasn't such good info here on the subject
 
#79 ·
Im just getting all my ducks in a row so i can try and register my rzr in AZ. I probably wont even ride in AZ anytime soon but this seems to be the easiest route to be legal to ride in other states aswell. I have a few questions though if someone could help.

- I currently have full coverage insurance through statefarm. I contacted my agent and was told that the insurance is good anywhere in the US and Canada. My insurance card itself states IL but there is no state specified on my "declerations" page from statefarm. Is this good enough?

-I have a family address i can use in tucson. Will i be required to have emmisions testing done if i use this address? This would obviously be an issue since my rzr is in IL :) so would using a random address be a better option?

-Lastly my title is currently helpd by the bank. Think there will be any problems with transfering it to an AZ title or is it just a matter of proper paper work between DMV and the bank?

Thanks for any help
 
#80 ·
I can't answer all your questions, but here's a couple, things to consider:

Just remember, because you street legal it in AZ doesn't make it street legal everywhere. My AZ licensed Rzr is not street legal on the other side of the river (CA). My KTM dirtbike is also AZ street legal/licensed. It is not street legal in CA either. Just like certain guns are legal in most states, but if its not on the 'list' in CA, it's not legal there.

Just remember also, the insurance ID card kept in your Rzr HAS to say Arizona on it, so Illinois on the card won't work.

It's better to street legal your Rzr in AZ if you plan on riding in AZ. If you're not going to ride here, I'd use another (closer) state to register and license it.
 
#83 ·
I live in CA but want to be street legal in AZ and only ride the dunes in CA. I'm still confused but I guess I should go to the MVD in AZ and see if I can find someone there who may know the easiest way for me to do it? I have relatives in close to Kingman AZ and could add their name to my title if it would make it easier.
 
#87 ·
I think family man answered my question but I have heard that we may not be legal on all roads ie major hwys or freeways. I ask because I live in Holbrook and a short stint on the freeway would open a lot more riding to me. It would only be max 10 miles or so.
 
#90 ·
I live in AZ and have the MC street legal plate on my xp 900 and have been pulled over in Cali for driving on the streets there and after the cop check all my paper work he told us we could go but could not drive on the freeway but the streets were fine. This was in Pismo beach. All cops are different but I have learned over the years if you are polite and have all your paper work you usually will be fine. Just my 2 cents
 
#91 ·
Ouch, good thing you were cool and he was cool as a result. But just be forewarned: Rzr's that are street legal in other states are still not street legal in CA. This may be of concern for border town people. Some friends that hang out in Parker, AZ have told me CHP and SB Sheriffs hang out on the Cal side and like to nab rzr's.

Another example might be a dirt bike that's been street legal in AZ is still not street legal in CA since it isn't 50 state legal.
 
#92 ·
Now, to revive this thread and ask a question not asked or answered so far. We live in ID and our Rzr and Quad are titled and plated there. We own an RV lot in AZ and spend about 3-4 months a year there. We have always just run out ID plates and if stopped, inform the officer that we take it to CA every month so we restart our 30 day use. Can we expect to continue this approach or should we plan on somehow trying to comply with AZ licensing? We have the same basic 30 day rule in ID and are well known here in our home town by LEO, as I am a retired LEO, so the AZ plate would stick out like a sore thumb. Anyone have a factual response?
 
#93 ·
Hi, I live in AZ and need to go into the MVD office in the next week or two I will ask and post what I find out. (Although I have to tell you that the answers I get in Bullhead may not hold true in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagtaff etc). My thoughts are that generally speaking if you are street legal in your state, AZ is for the most part pretty UTV friendly and will probably not hassle you as long as you're being the fine upstanding citizen I know you are?
 
#94 ·
Thanks. I will be looking for the response. That is what we have found, that respect begets respect, even in the area of Quartzsite, where we were previously. We just bought in Dome Valley, east of Yuma and don't know how the Feds are in that area.
 
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