CATS
ORV, ATV, UTV, OHV, WATV Regulations
When driving Off-Road Vehicles in Washington State, drivers must realize that Washington State Laws will differ from those of other States. They can actually differ between land managers and even counties and cities within the State. Different government agencies also define and label Off-Road Vehicles differently as well. Some labels are ORV, ATV, UTV, OHV, WATV, etc. Below, we will attempt to offer the most recent information available for riding Off-Road Vehicle in SW Washington and nearby locations. We encourage all riders to research the most current laws and regulations that apply to the specific areas they plan to ride.
Washington State ORB Laws
Washington State ORV Laws - In Washington State, all Off-Road Vehicle are required to be registered and titled in the state of the owner’s residency. Washington State also requires all Off-Road Vehicles to be licensed for the type of riding they intend to do within Washington State. There are three (3) types Off-Road vehicle licenses available. They are: "Off-Road”, “On Road”, and “Over-the Snow”. An ATV or UTV vehicle can have all three licenses, or any combination of the three, but it must have at least one to legally operate in the State, and it must be for the type of riding you intend to do. For Out-of-State riders, Washington State does not offer reciprocity to your state’s ORV licensing.
o to register and license your out-of-state ORV in order to legally operate in Washington
o Additional information on relating to the ORV, ATV, and WATV in Washington State can be found here:
o RCW laws
o WAC laws
WATV Ordinances
In 2013, the Washington Legislature passed legislation that created the Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicle (WATV), a street legal ATV or UTV. This legislation requires each county or city to adopt an ordinance that allows, or disallows, the use of these vehicles. Most counties and many cities, including Lewis, Klickitat, Skamania, and Cowlitz have adopted a WATV Ordinance that allows properly equipped, operated, and licensed WATV’s to drive on certain public streets that have a speed limit of 35 MPH, or less. Clark County has not adopted a WATV ordinance! If you plan to ride your WATV on roads in Washington, please verify whether your riding area has a WATV Ordinance and that you have properly licensed your vehicle for “On-Road” use with WADMV
o Review the Cowlitz County WATV Ordinance
Washington State DNR
Washington State public lands are managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, (WADNR). The State has several regions that are managed independently and each region may have several state forests within them. Please check with the regional office of the WADNR for specific ORV information in that region. SW Washington is managed by the Pacific Cascade Region Office. Typically, all roads on state land are open for ORV use, provided the vehicle is properly licensed and is operated under the laws of Washington State. Helmets MUST be worn on while riding on all ORV’s unless the vehicle has seat belts for all passengers and a roll cage (typically a UTV). A Discovery Pass is required to park a vehicle on State land or use any State facilities. Currently the cost is $30 for and annual pass and $10 for a daily pass.
o Additional informations on WADNR
Oregon State ORV Laws
Oregon does not recognize ORV licenses from other States, unless that State recognizes Oregon’s ORV license. All ORV riders must also have taken and passed an online test for operational competency and carry an Oregon ORV Certificate of Competency when operating an ORV in Oregon. Oregon DOES NOT allow ORV’s to be driven on streets or highways anywhere in the State.
o Additional information on Oregon ORV laws
USFS
The USFS manages motor vehicle use in national forests independent of the State where the forest is located, even though most State motor vehicle laws enforcement apply within the forests. The USFS of the defines all Off-Road Vehicles as an “Off Highway Vehicle” (OHV), and all street legal vehicles as a “Highway Legal Vehicle” (HLV). It must be noted that the USFS also designates what type of vehicle may drive on every road within every national forest. That information can only be obtained by researching the "USFS - Motor Vehicle Use Map” (MVUM), that is published for every national forest throughout the country. MVUM's are available at no cost at any USFS office within that forest. The USFS does not allow the use of an OHV on any roads within a national forest, unless the road is specifically designated for OHV use, as noted below. Almost all roads in the national forests of Washington State are designated for “Highway Legal Vehicles Only” and there are currently very few national forest roads that are open for OHV use. It is highly recommended that anyone desiring to ride in a national forest in Washington State, obtain an MVUM for that forest and become familiar with the OHV regulations that pertain to that forest. USFS motor vehicle use “designations” on the MVUM will be one of the following:
o Roads Open to Highway Legal Vehicles Only
o Roads Open to All Vehicles
o Trails Open to All Vehicles
o Trails Open to Vehicle 50”or Less in Width
o Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicle 50” or less in Width
o Trails Open to Motorcycles Only
Note that although the WATV is legal to ride on many streets within the State of Washington, the USFS does not currently classify it as a “Highway Legal Vehicle” and therefore it cannot be driven on roads designated for “Highway Legal Vehicles Only".
o Additional Information on OHV touring
o Additional USFS information specific to OHV use in Washington and Oregon
o Additional USFS information specific to OHV use in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest