New OHV Law
You may have heard news stories recently about a new OHV law going into effect later this year. The legislation was signed into law by our Governor just the other day. The law was enacted via SB 1567. After reviewing the bill, many of us were confused about a new requirement requiring the completion of an OHV education course.
I contacted Arizona State Senator Kerr, a sponsor of the bill, seeking clarification regarding the educational course requirement. Specifically, I asked if a “person” is everyone who will be operating an OHV or just those 18 and under.
Language from the Bill:
• Beginning Jan 1 2025, a person (AZ residents & non-residents) must complete a OHV safety education course provided by the Game & Fish Dept before they can purchase an OHV indicia (your OHV Decal).
I received the following reply: In short, yes. Before a person can purchase an OHV decal, regardless of age, they must show they have completed the Game & Fish education course.
More details:
Here is a message I received from the Senator’s Office. The educational course will be on-line available.
Good morning, George-
Senator Kerr forwarded me your email and asked that I respond on her behalf. Below are bullet points summarizing each provision of the bill. My contact information is included below should you have any more questions.
SB1567
• Prohibits open alcohol containers while operating an OHV.
• Persons 12 and under can only operate OHVs on trails/routes that are designated for OHV use.
o If a person under 12 violates this law the parents/guardians can get cited. If the person is 12-15 years old the citation can be given to the parents or the 12-15 year old.
• Any person under 18 operating or riding as a passenger of an OHV must wear a helmet unless that person is a child that is in a car seat and the OHV has a roll cage.
• A driver’s license is required to operate an OHV on highways and roads (this does not include trails/routes designated for OHV use).
o If a person under 12 violates this law the parents/guardians can get cited. If the person is 12-15 years old the citation can be given to the parents or the 12-15 year old.
• Beginning Jan 1 2025, a person (AZ residents & non-residents) must complete a OHV safety education course provided by the Game & Fish Dept before they can purchase an OHV indicia.
o Game and Fish must make this course available online
o This requirement will expire on June 1st 2027 unless the legislature & Governor pass legislation to continue it.
Education Course Fees?
Several have asked if we will have to pay a fee to take the required education course before applying for our OHV sticker. Here is an answer provided by Senator Kerr’s Office.
In conversations with Game & Fish while the bill was moving through the legislature this year, they stated their intent is to make the course available for free.
The bill also gives Game & Fish the ability to certify 3rd party courses developed by others that could be taken in lieu of the Game & Fish developed course.
