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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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#2 ·
Nice thread! Thanks for the clarification.

One question.. I haven't been popped yet for the windsheild thing but does the windsheild requirment need to be a full windshield or can it be a half?
 
#3 · (Edited)
Since the law doesn't specify, I'm not sure. But it's very common here to run a Halfy. Currently, I am running NO windshield but am prepared for the consequences. Hope that helps!


And to any of you thinking Lake Havasu PD wouldn't know what to write on the ticket, I wouldn't test it. MVD told me there are more UTV's per capita in this little ol' town than any other in AZ..........pretty sure the PD has experience pulling over dumb a$$ drivers and enforcing the law when needed.

I also forgot to mention earlier: To street legal your RZR at MVD, you don't need to bring your RZR or show proof of street legal equipment. They make it clear that they will accept your money with no problem..........it's when you get pulled over that they like to check for that stuff.
 
#5 ·
Grant, great job spreading the word on AZ Laws.:)

I want to be honest and fully disclose. I'm Jim Harken with Arizona Game and Fish. I am the OHV PIO so I live and breathe these laws everyday. I helped write the book that Parks got their info from.

In disucssions I've had with MVD, Parks, Game and Fish Law Enforcement guys and some folks I know in Lake Havasu, you are correct that some RZR's are seen as golf carts in AZ. Not everywhere, just in some areas.... gotta love MVD!

As per ARS this is the latest in the windshield saga:

28-957.01. Windshields required

A. The following vehicles shall be equipped with an adequate windshield:

1. A passenger vehicle, except a motorcycle, an all-terrain vehicle and a golf cart manufactured or modified before June 17, 1998.

2. A motor truck or truck tractor, except fire trucks, fire engines or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned.

B. This section does not apply to an implement of husbandry or to an antique, classic or horseless carriage automobile if it was not originally equipped with a windshield.

So, if you're vehicle was built or modified AFTER June 17, 1998 you DO NOT need a windshield. And this of coure this is if your RZR is seen as a golf cart (Case by case basis depending on the LEO according to my officers). Eye protection is required by law if your vehcile isn't equipped with a windshield. Most RZRs that I know were built after the June 17, 1998 date. However, if you have an older vehcile, sadly you'll need a windshield. (I don't make the laws I just tell you how they are interpreted) Half or full windshield is on a case by case basis depending on the Law Enforcement Officer. That means I could tell you this today and tomorrow a law officer might tell you something different.

I hope this helps. My goal is to get the most correct information out there. Thanks for all your help Grant! -Jim
 
#8 ·
Definitely good to know! And it just goes to show, even the peeps at MVD aren't necessarily experts!

Hey Jim, what's your take on a CA RZR + Green Sticker + Street Legal Equipment + Insurance = Street Legal in AZ for 30 days or under?

JUST CURIOUS...........
 
#9 ·
Grant,

Great question! Sadly since California does not recognize OHVs (Quads, RZR's (Side-by-sides), sand rails and etc.) as street legal vehicles we are bound by those same terms.

You remember from other discussions that if you are "legal" in your home state you are "legal" in Arizona. So if you are legal for the street in your home state (CA in this case, which sadly you can't be) you are legal in Arizona for the same use. Off-highway to off-highway, street-legal to street-legal and so on.

It also affects us from AZ in the fact that we can't techincally go on the roads in CA with our Quads or RZR type vehicles. From what I've learned, street-legal dirt bikes are considred motorcycles in CA so their in a different class. Rules and laws can be so wierd sometimes!

Again, this is all case-by-case basis depending on the enforcement officer, but I wouldn't want to test them.

Personally, I wish I could have given a different answer, but it is what it is.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Thanks Jim. That basically confirmed what many of us were saying on this forum previously in a different thread.

At least now, some poor dude from CA isn't gonna drive their Green Sticker RZR through downtown Havasu thinking they're legal, later to get popped, and well you know the rest........:rm_thumbdown:

I GUESS WE CAN READ ENGLISH AFTERALL!!!!
 
#13 · (Edited)
SHORT ANSWER: Dunno, you'd have to ask the cop. JK.

Breven, it falls under the old "It is what it is" pitfalls........you go through life doing something that may not be legal, it never gets enforced, but then one day.............

It used to not be a big deal operating a boat on the river with a beer in your hand......would you do that now?

Example: I grew up going to the river. 5 years ago, I got into offroading (desert dirt biking mainly). While in Havasu at my family's house, my bro-in-law and I would just ride our dirtbikes 'carefully' up the street (they weren't street legal). Being that Havasu is a good ol boy town, we waved to cops on numerous occasions and they waved back. Fast forward to 2007. I moved to Havasu so I could have desert recreation and water recreation 5 minutes away from my house. I was warned by a local rider to be sure to street legal my KTM. Glad I did........I've been pulled over 3 times on my street legal dirt bike. All 3 occasions, the cop stated he wanted to make sure I was street legal. Luckily, I was able to provide Lic, reg, and insurance.

Truthfully, I don't think they care if you have a horn or rearview mirror, they are just making sure you are paying the 'more expensive' registration.......we are in a recession you know.
 
#14 ·
Hey folks...kinda late to this thread but wanted to mention something. My understanding is that if you choose the reduced VLT then the street legal equipment applies as listed in Grant's summary. However if you don't choose the reduced VLT option and go full street legal with the full registration cost (appx $200), then additional equipment is required. This is if you want to use the SxS with full street legal priviledges - a regular commuter that you can drive anywhere anytime like a car, not just between trails or to an OHV area. I've heard this equipment includes turn signals, street rated tires, side mirrors, and some other requirements. Can anyone confirm this?
I'd like to go full street legal - even with the additional registration cost - but no way am I putting street rated tires on my RZR.
 
#15 ·
It is my understanding that there is NO difference in equipment whether Street Legal or Street Legal with the reduced VLT affadavit.

You should either contact your local MVD (even though they aren't all really sharp on this subject), or PM Fish & Game Jim in one of the above posts.

I've never, though, heard of a Turn Signal requirement or the requirement of Street/Radial tires.......regardless of Reduced VLT or not.
 
#17 ·
OK - I called the MVD today. Its still a little murky, but more clarification. If the vehicle is considered an ATV, then the only difference between the two options - primarily off-road, and primarily highway use - is the registration fee. No equipment difference. If it is considered a sandrail/buggy, then there is one additional requirement for approved tires. She said no emission testing was required either way for a newer vehicle (mine's a 2010). After describing my RZR and letting her know it had an MC plate, the gal I spoke with felt that it was considered an ATV so the only difference would be paying the full registration...no additional equipment requirements.
 
#30 ·
Did she clarify as to what would classify a RZR a ATV or sandrail/buggy? Maybe a vehicles size or weight? I too have been wondering about the whole DOT tire thing and would like some claification on that.. We've all heard the horror storries of the uncles sisters brothers friend of a friends sister who knew this guy who got pulled over for not having DOT tires.. not once have I seen and actual citation listing a vehicle not having DOT tires so until I do, I'm calling shenanigans..

Again, thanks to all who have contributed to this thread
 
#18 ·
This is like a bad penny, that keep showing up, if you have an out of state sticker it is honored for thirty days! If you are AZ street legal then you can ride the street! It has nothing to do with your home state and you can't find that wording any where in the regs! Not rocket science! Your sticker becomes a plate for thirty days just like it says in plane English! This applies to out of state visitors only and has nothing to do with in state riders! Once the sticker is recognized then all other AZ road rules apply!
 
#21 ·
With all due respect, I don't understand what your last two posts are saying. Could you clarify? The discussion, I think, was about requirements for Arizona residents to have a street legal RZR, not about out of state. What's the "rocket science" and "plane English" you're referring to?
Thanks!
 
#20 · (Edited)
Are there any OHV Decal exceptions -or- I'm from out-of-state do I need to purchase the OHV Decal?

* A person may operate an all-terrain vehicle or an off-highway vehicle in Arizona without an off-highway vehicle user indicia (OHV Decal) if any of the following applies:

o The person is participating in an off-highway special event.
o The person is operating an all-terrain vehicle or off-highway vehicle on private land.
o The person is loading or unloading an all-terrain vehicle or off-highway vehicle from a vehicle.
o During a period of emergency of if the operation is directed by a peace officer or other public authority.
o All of the following apply (For non-residents):
+ The person is not a resident of Arizona. - and -
+ The person owns the vehicle. - and -
+ The vehicle diplays a current off-highway vehicle user indicia (sticker/decal) or registration (license plate) from the person's state of residency. - and -
+ The vehicle is not in Arizona for more than thirty (30) consecutive days.

Still funny no one can cite a code violation only rumor, maybe because their isn't one? Or that the above right from the Game and Fish site is the law! LOE doesn't make the law, only enforces it! They are people and are wrong as often as anyone else!

This is right above it!

To street legal your OHV you will also need:

* License plate light. (ARS 28-925C)
* Horn audible from a distance of at least 200 feet. (ARS 28-954A)
* Proper insurance. (ARS 28-4142A)
* Emissions: Certain areas may also require to have your OHV emissions tested. (ARS 49-542C&D)

We are taking back our country, it might take a while, but that crappy piece of paper called the Constitution says you are free and the government must numerate your violation as you are innocent until proven guilty under the law! So show me the violation or shut up! Have a nice day!
 
#22 · (Edited)
That is part of it, but the interjection about the Green sticker not being enough is just false and misleading information! If you read what I have said it is about is visitors to AZ. AZ is stated correctly! Read the above post from Game and fish! This thread is an attempt to reference my prior threads about Riding and being street legal in AZ. I have stated in prior threads that I am posting from my perspective as a visitor! I have owned property in AZ for 25 plus years, but I live in Kalifornia, but visit and ride the streets in AZ! I have dealt with BLM, Sheriff's, and Rangers on these matters and the law changed Jan 1. 2009 and my posts are true and accurate!
I answered a fella who wanted to drive to the Gas station in Havasu and wanted to know if it was legal, and yes it is, if he is following all the AZ laws and has a green sticker etc.!
 
#25 ·
My key question regarding AZ street legal requirements for AZ residents was: are there different equipment requirements between the "primarily off-highway" option with OHV sticker, vs "Primarily on improved roads and highways" option with OHV sticker.

I think the answer is NO. But strictly speaking, you can't use a vehicle as a daily commuter if you choose the primarily off-highway option, although based on forum posts a lot of people do with no problem. You're expected to pay the appx $200 registration fee and not the reduced $3.00 fee.
 
#26 ·
I am sorry, but I was answering Grants miss statement and not addressing local issues! This was put up as a Sticky and it is wrong for visitors! Just stetting the record straight and not addressing you questions. From the extensive research I have done it is just a matter of fee and what your declared usage will be! The Off-Road is cheaper, but the on road requires street legal equipment! That part of my above post is correct and applies to you as well! New OHV regulations in Arizona will go into effect Jan. 1, 2009
 
#27 ·
So it would be the cost of your plate plus:

The OHV Decal is a sticker that must be purchased annually for $25 to allow your OHV to be operated within Arizona. The decal will need to be applied to the upper left corner of your license plate, and your license plate will need to be visibly displayed on the rear of your OHV. The dollars collected through the purchase of the OHV Decal are considered an OHV user fee and apply to all OHVs meeting the bulleted criteria in the following paragraph.

# Your OHV/ATV must have an Arizona Certificate of Title in your name. If the vehicle is not titled in your name or you have an out-of-state title, you will need to visit an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider to obtain an Arizona Certificate of Title. All ATV/OHV owners must obtain an Arizona Title for their vehicle(s) by July 1, 2009.
# The vehicle must have an Arizona license plate. The license plate must be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle and clearly visible.
# If you need to confirm the vehicle has been issued a license plate and title, you may request a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) online at www.servicearizona.com or visit an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Service Provider. The vehicle identification number (VIN), your driver license number and a $3.00 fee is required to obtain an MVR.
# You can obtain the annual $25 OHV Decal for your OHV on-line at www.servicearizona.com or at an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Service Provider. The OHV Decal shall be affixed to the upper left corner of the license plate, like you see here. The placement of the OHV Decal is exactly the same for qualified registered or "street legal" vehicles.
 
#29 ·
Papabear give it up. Quit cutting out parts of the game and fish website purposely excluding several paragraphs between the ohv part and being street legal EQUIPMENT requirements. EQUIPMENT does not mean street legal unless a street legal registration has been paid. Arizona law is clear and you quoted it yourself. A license plate is required that is legible from a certain distance. Does your green sticker meet that? Nope it is not a license plate and so there is no way a green sticker will ever be allowed to be used as street legal in AZ. Give it up. This was put as a sticky because the site mods see it as being right info. Give it up.
 
#32 ·
It is a weight thing. Not sure what weight it is, but my sand/dual sport car is normal 'automobile' registration and it is not possible to get the reduced VLT. They told me it was based on weight.
It has to be under 1800lbs unladen weight to be able to get the reduced fee.
 
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