Understanding Off-Highway Vehicles Sticker Designation (Green vs. Red)

SVsick50

Well-known member
There's at least a thread every two weeks with question in regards to this issue. So I'm making a sticky FYI. See you on the trails! - Dion

Red and Green Stickers

California Air Resources Board (ARB) established regulations to limit the use of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) that do not meet emission standards applicable for California OHV riding areas. After the regulations were established, ARB and DMV worked together to develop criteria for identifying non-complying OHVs. OHVs are registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A red or green sticker is issued depending upon certain criteria.

Green stickers are issued for all California OHVs year model 2002 and older, including those that were previously issued a red sticker, and to 2003 and newer complying vehicles. Green stickers are issued to OHVs for year round use at all California OHV riding areas.

Red stickers are issued to 2003 year model and newer OHVs that are not certified to California OHV emission standards. If your OHV has a "3" or "C" in the eighth position of the vehicle identification number (VIN) then your vehicle will be issued a red sticker. Red stickers are issued to OHVs that can use California OHV riding areas for seasonal use only.

Off Highway Vehicle License Plates

What Is Different About OHV Plates?

Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) license plates are not a hard metal plate like those issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles. Instead they are pliable, metalicized, and self-adhesive for secure application to the vehicle. They also have a unique numbering system.

The plate number is shown at the top of the plate and the vehicle’s registration expiration month and year are shown in the center stripe.

OHV Renewal

All OHVs have a fixed expiration date of June 30. OHV registration renewal occurs every two years after the original registration and a new plate with a new license number is issued upon payment of renewal fees.

NOTE: If your OHV is a motorcycle that you use solely in organized racing or competitive events on a closed course, you may obtain a permit that allows transportation of the vehicle to and from course events. The permit, for which there is a fee, is a reflectorized, red and white, numbered sticker that should be mounted on the vehicle in a clearly visible location. This permit remains valid until the vehicle is sold or dismantled.

License Plate Placement

It is important that you affix the plate in the proper location for the type of vehicle you own. Use the diagrams below to identify the required location for placement of the OHV plate on your vehicle. Before affixing the plate to your vehicle, be sure the placement area is clean and dry.

If you affix the plate incorrectly or keep it in the storage space beneath the vehicle seat, you may be cited by law enforcement.

mc.gif


Red Plate, Green Plate

Some OHVs do not meet emission standards applicable for California OHV riding areas as outlined in California Air Resources Board Regulations and therefore are restricted to use in limited areas and certain times of the year. These vehicles are issued a red OHV plate. The center stripe is white with the month and year in dark blue.

ohv2.gif


All other OHVs are issued a green plate which has a dark blue center stripe with a white month and year.

ohv1.gif


A complete explanation and links regarding OHV plates can be seen here: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/ohvredgreen.htm
 

mweitz

Well-known member
Here is a list of all of the riding areas in CA with their corresponding Red sticker riding dates.

Red Sticker Open Dates
 

Attachments

  • 2007%20carb%20revised%20riding%20seasons.pdf
    72.6 KB · Views: 262

packnrat

Well-known member
if it is a race bike for race track use only you still need to pay a rd tax for it?
 
Last edited:

shouldnthave

Taze away, Yana...
if it is a race bike for race track use only you still need to oay a rd tax for it?

No. If it's on private property (race track, your land, another persons land). However, you should "non-OP" the bike with the DMV as to not have huge penalties when you decide to register it, or sell the bike. It can equal thousands in just a few years.
 

Butch

poseur
Staff member
A good tidbit...
“Manufactures can no longer sell red sticker bikes in CA starting in 2022. They can only sell bike that meet CARB emission standards. Think current green sticker bikes. What used to be considered red sticker will now be for closed coarse competition use only. But this time for real. So you can still buy and race a “red” sticker bike in 2022, but you can’t ride it on any SRVA, BLM, USFS land except races.
Pre 2022 red stick bikes will follow the current red sticker rules until 2025 when they become green sticker. For stroke red sticker bikes will likely be made to meet green sticker standards. Two strokes don’t stand a chance”

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-02/18.10.22 Red Sticker Workshop Presentation.pdf
 
Last edited:

scootergmc

old and slow
So are there any 2019 250cc+ green sticker bikes? Other than street legal? I was in the Yamaha dealership this morning and even the WR had a red sticker designation. I'm in the market for either a WRf or CRFx but holy balls, this is getting ridiculous.
 

Eric in Davis

Well-known member
Hey Butch, do you know what the status is on the red/green CARB changes? I see your latest post was a few days ago, but it references a presentation from 2018.

Are those "proposed" changes a done deal, or looking like they're inevitable? Kinda bummed I'll have to wait 6 years for my current red sticker YZ250F to benefit from being grandfathered.
 

Butch

poseur
Staff member
...2018? That’s like yesterday. Yeah, that plan is still valid. This stuff takes time.
 

OaklandF4i

Darwin's exception
So are there any 2019 250cc+ green sticker bikes? Other than street legal? I was in the Yamaha dealership this morning and even the WR had a red sticker designation. I'm in the market for either a WRf or CRFx but holy balls, this is getting ridiculous.

The 2019 CRF450X and CRF250X are green stickered. The 2019 CRF450RX is not. KTM/Husqvarna plated only.

What dealer is saying the 2019 WR's are red sticker? It would be big news if actually true and we would have been hearing about it as they were designed to meet EPA and CARB for offroad.
 

scootergmc

old and slow
What dealer is saying the 2019 WR's are red sticker? It would be big news if actually true and we would have been hearing about it as they were designed to meet EPA and CARB for offroad.

PCP in Sac. They WR250f said "red sticker" right on the spec sheet. I did end up finding it on the CARB red sticker EO list.
 

OaklandF4i

Darwin's exception
PCP in Sac. They WR250f said "red sticker" right on the spec sheet. I did end up finding it on the CARB red sticker EO list.

I stand corrected, and frankly shocked. You are completely right. I just responded to the thread in the general section regarding this.

I talked to the two Scotts at CARB when the latest came out. They were pretty awesome. I think they like to hear from the public and real motorcyclists.

Their contact information is on page 25 if you need to figure something out
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-02/18.10.22 Red Sticker Workshop Presentation.pdf

Hear what from us Butch.... that there are NO, and do mean NONE, ZIPPO, ZERO 2019 model year bikes from Yamaha, Kawasaki, or Suzuki that are green stickered in 2019?

What the FUCK. Nice or not, to say a I am pissed is an understatement. Lets discuss in the general forum thread or start a new one in the general section. This is too important to languish in the Dirty section alone.
 

Butch

poseur
Staff member
...At its April 25, 2019, public hearing, the California Air Resources Board (CARB or Board) approved for adoption the proposed amendments to sections 2411, 2412, 2415, 2416, 2418, and 2419.4, Title 13 California Code of Regulations (CCR), which would end the red sticker certification program for off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRV) in 2022 and establish new emission standards for OHRV...
 

OaklandF4i

Darwin's exception
Butch -

Just read through the attachments linked by you two posts up. Looks to me like they did not take riders or the industries input regarding the need for competition motorcycle access on public lands between events.

Am I reading that right? With the sunset of the Red Sticker program, new bikes not meeting the new federal standard will be considered competition and not allowed period on CA public lands. In other words, they ignored the input and made no changes or accommodations?

Somewhat perplexed at what national level standards they are talking about? I'm not aware of Fed level emissions standards for offroad motorcycles?

I assume this will not affect Fed land in CA, but still isnt good.

Is there anyplace I can read more and is anyone like the AMA currently or planning to further challenge CARB?

Is there anything I or others can do to challenge CARB beyond signing petitions?
 

Butch

poseur
Staff member
CJ, I encourage you to call and talk to these guys.
Scott Monday – (916) 445-9319, scott.monday@arb.ca.gov
Scott Bacon – (916) 322-8949, scott.bacon@arb.ca.gov

Then share what you learn. i have been meaning to but time...
I'm heading to Supervisor Cortese's office momentarily. He's running for State Senate. He had a small block Chevy in high school, with a Holley double pumper...
 
Top