California ATV — quick answer
California does not register an ATV for the road at all. It registers it for off-highway use with a sticker, and which sticker a machine carries depends on its model year and emissions. The transfer paperwork is ordinary DMV work; what catches private buyers is the two-year registration cycle and its 30 May cut-off.
How ATV sales actually work in California
- Green Sticker
- OHVs allowed on public lands open to motor vehicles
- Red Sticker
- Motorcycles and ATVs of model years 2003 through 2021 that do not meet CARB emission standards
- Since 1 January 2025
- Red and Green Sticker registration are equally valid year-round in all public areas designated for OHV recreation
- Registration term
- Two years
- To transfer
- The California Certificate of Title, or REG 227 endorsed for transfer if the title is lost
- Fees
- Transfer fee, a renewal fee if registration has expired or the transfer happens after 30 May of the expiration year, and use tax if due
- Replacement documents
- REG 156
Transferring an ATV in California, step by step
- Check which sticker the machine carries and its model year. A Red Sticker means a 2003-2021 machine that did not meet CARB standards — useful to know even though the riding restriction was lifted.
- Get the California Certificate of Title signed over. Where the seller has lost it, a REG 227 endorsed for transfer does the same job.
- Budget for the transfer fee and use tax, and check the expiration year before agreeing a date — a transfer after 30 May of that year adds a renewal fee.
- Register the transfer with the DMV. OHV registration runs in two-year periods rather than annually.
What private buyers get wrong here
- The 30 May cut-off is the expensive detail. Buying on 29 May and buying on 31 May of an expiration year are not the same transaction.
- The Red Sticker no longer restricts when you can ride, as of 1 January 2025 — but sellers and forum posts still describe the old seasonal rule, so do not price a machine down for a restriction that no longer exists.
- None of this makes an ATV street-legal. California registers these for off-highway use, and a sticker is not a licence plate.
Verified 2026-09-24 against California State Parks OHMVR — OHV Registration and California DMV — Off-Highway Vehicle Registration and CARB — OHRV Red Sticker Program . Rules change — confirm before you sign.
Is an ATV bill of sale required in California?
California does not register an ATV for the road at all. It registers it for off-highway use with a sticker, and which sticker a machine carries depends on its model year and emissions. The transfer paperwork is ordinary DMV work; what catches private buyers is the two-year registration cycle and its 30 May cut-off.
Does a California ATV bill of sale need to be notarized?
Check the instructions for the specific title and bill-of-sale form. A requirement to notarize a title assignment does not automatically mean the separate bill of sale needs notarization. If notarization is required, wait to sign until the notary instructs you.
What to include on a California ATV bill of sale
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and type
- VIN or frame serial number
- Engine size and hours/mileage
- Price, date, and signatures
Official sources
- California State Parks OHMVR — OHV Registration
- California DMV — Off-Highway Vehicle Registration
- CARB — OHRV Red Sticker Program
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the California DMV before you sign. Not legal advice.
California ATV Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is an ATV bill of sale required in California?
California does not register an ATV for the road at all. It registers it for off-highway use with a sticker, and which sticker a machine carries depends on its model year and emissions. The transfer paperwork is ordinary DMV work; what catches private buyers is the two-year registration cycle and its 30 May cut-off.
Does a California ATV bill of sale need to be notarized?
Check the signing requirements for the specific title and bill-of-sale form. Notarization of a title assignment and notarization of a bill of sale are separate questions; a car rule does not establish the rule for this item.
Do ATVs have a VIN?
Most modern ATVs and UTVs have a 17-character VIN; older or imported machines may use a frame serial number. Record whichever is stamped on the vehicle.
Do I need to register an ATV?
Most states require off-highway vehicles to be registered or stickered for use on trails or public land. The rules vary — check your state page.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.