Unique Vehicles

Off-Highway Vehicle Licensing and Requirements

Off-highway vehicles may be issued an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) license plate, available through your county tax assessor-collector’s office. For driver license requirements related to operating these vehicles, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Vehicles purchased in other states are subject to Texas Use Tax. For information on paying use tax, visit the Texas Comptroller’s website.

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Types of Off-Highway Vehicles

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
An ATV is a motor vehicle that:

• Has seating for the operator and one passenger

• Has three or more tires

• Is no more than 50 inches wide

• Is designed for off-highway use

• Is not manufactured for farm or lawn care

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV)
An ROV is a motor vehicle that:

• Has seating for the operator and one or more passengers

• Has four or more tires

• Is designed for off-highway use

• Is not manufactured for farm or lawn care

Utility Vehicle (UTV)
A UTV is a motor vehicle that:

• Has side-by-side seating for the operator and passenger

• Has four or more tires

• Is designed for off-highway use

• Is manufactured for utility work rather than recreational use

Sand Rail
A sand rail is a motor vehicle that:

• Is designed or built for off-highway use in sandy terrain

• Has a tubular frame and integrated roll cage

• Has a rear-mounted engine or an engine positioned between the front and rear axles

• Has a gross vehicle weight between 700 and 2,000 pounds

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Equipment Required for Public Off-Highway Vehicle Land

When operated on public off-highway vehicle land, an off-highway vehicle must be equipped with:

• A functioning brake system

• A muffler system

• A U.S. Forest Service–qualified spark arrester

• A headlight and taillight

• A valid Off-Highway Vehicle decal issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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Operation on Roads With an OHV License Plate

ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and sand rails that display an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate may be operated on roads in the following circumstances:

• Within a master-planned community that has a uniform set of restrictive covenants and an approved county or municipal plat

• On roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less, during daylight hours, and within two miles of the location where the vehicle is normally parked when traveling to and from a golf course

• When crossing intersections, including roads with posted speed limits greater than 35 mph

Cities and certain counties may also authorize the operation of these vehicles on roads within city limits or unincorporated county areas. Authorization is limited to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, and the vehicle must display an OHV license plate.

If operated at speeds of 25 mph or less, the vehicle must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem.

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Operation on Roads Without an OHV License Plate

ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and sand rails may be operated on roads without an OHV license plate when the vehicle is:

• Owned by a state, county, or municipality and used on a public beach or highway to protect public safety and welfare

• Operated by a farmer or rancher during daylight hours, traveling no more than 25 miles from the point of origin, and used for agricultural production or harvesting*

• Operated by a public utility worker during daylight hours, traveling no more than 25 miles for utility work*

• Operated by law enforcement or emergency service personnel, traveling no more than 10 miles for emergency response*

*Vehicles operated without an OHV license plate must display a triangular orange slow-moving vehicle emblem mounted at least six feet above ground level, and the headlights and taillights must be illuminated.