A new law requiring the purchase of an off-highway vehicle decal for any OHVs operated in Arizona will take effect Jan. 1, 2009. This is Arizona’s first OHV law.

The Southeast Arizona Sportsman Club felt the public wasn’t aware enough of the law and held a meeting Dec. 12 at the Graham County General Services Build-ing to educate OHV enthusiasts on the changes.

Graham County Sup-ervisor Drew John explained the new laws, why they were enacted and where the money would go.

County Supervisor Drew John answers questions about the new OHV user fee that takes effect in January. Photo by Jon Johnson

The OHV decal is a user fee that will cost between $20 to $30 and be required for any OHV designed by the manufacturer primarily for off-highway use and that weighs less than 1,800 pounds. This includes most all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, dirt bikes and some sand rails. All vehicles must also have an Arizona Certificate of Title.

John said the black and white sticker must be affixed to the upper-left portion of the vehicle’s license plate, with the plate mounted visibly on the rear of the vehicle. Exemptions include if the vehicle will only operate on private property (such as a farm) or in a special event (such as a race where there is already a registration fee).

For users who wish to register their OHVs as street legal but still primarily use them off-highway, the vehicle license tax is a standard $3, and the registration fee is waived. The owner must have an OHV decal and comply with mandatory insurance regulations to be eligible to register as street legal. Owners who already have their OHVs registered must purchase the new user fee decal. Those owners will be charged the $3 vehicle license tax upon renewal of their registration.

For those recreating with OHVs at the Hot Wells Sand Dunes southeast of Safford, an orange or red flag flying at least 8 feet above the surface of the ground must be affixed to the vehicles.

John said OHV use in Arizona has increased by 347 percent since 1998 and the new laws were necessary to ensure places to ride in the future. He said the self-funded user fee program will help create and designate trails and areas to ride.

A second meeting to educate the public on the new laws will be held at the Graham County General Ser-vices building Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. John said while the law takes effect Jan. 1, it won’t be enforced until July.

For more information on the new rules and regulations, visit the Arizona Game & Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.