Texas OHV Off-Highway Vehicle Program
The Texas OHV (Off-Highway Vehicles) Program was created by the Texas Legislature in the 2005 session and the program become effective on January 1, 2006. The OHV Program was established to help create legal and safer places to ride and to encourage the safe and responsible use of OHVs on the lands of Texas. The program is also designed to provide funding to develop more recreational areas for OHV users.
An OHV decal is required by law (Chapter 29 of the Parks & Wildlife Code) for all individuals operating an OHV in Texas at an OHV legal venue which is located on the public lands of Texas, or on lands which have received OHV grants from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Operating ATVs on Public and Private Lands
In Texas, you may operate an ATV or other off-highway vehicle (OHV) on public land only in designated areas and on marked trails. To do so legally, you must display a current Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Decal issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
On private property, riding ATVs and OHVs is permitted with the landowner’s consent. However, master-planned communities and homeowners associations may enforce their own rules—and in some cases may prohibit the use of these vehicles altogether.
Statutes for Operating Off-Highway Vehicles
** HELMETS ARE REQUIRED **
Safety Requirements
- Always wear protective gear including helmets, eye protection & appropriate footwear
- Ride an ATV that’s right for your age:
- Age 6 and older under 70cc
- Age 12 and older 70cc—90cc
- Age 16 and older over 90cc
- Supervise riders younger than 16 years of age.
- Full sized OHV’s should have hard tops or roll cages, seat belts and should carry fire extinguishers
- Buckle up!
- Travel in groups of two or more
- Keep in touch – CB radios, cell phones, and walkie talkies come in handy
- Know limitations of yourself and your vehicle
- No smoking on the trails
- Don’t drink and drive or ride!
- Don’t overextend yourself
- Don’t tailgate – always follow at a safe distance
- Don’t overextend daylight hours
- Use common sense
- Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads.
- Ride only on designated trails and ride responsibly!
Texas OHV decals are $16 and are good Sept. 1 – Aug. 31 of the following year.
OHV decals are required by law for all individuals operating an OHV in Texas at an OHV legal venue which is located on the public lands of Texas, or on lands which have received OHV grants from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
The TxDMV is required to title off-highway vehicles (ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and Sand Rails), but these vehicles are not eligible for registration. Off-highway vehicles are eligible to receive an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate, which may be obtained from your county tax assessor-collector’s office.
