Section 13 of 38
Chapter 12: Nonresident Vehicles
12.100 Motorcycles–1978 and Newer Year Models
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) established regulations for on highway motorcycles beginning with 1978 year models.
Motorcycles with less than 7,500 miles that are 2006 year model and newer, with an engine displacement of less than 50 cubic centimeters (cc), and an emissions label indicating the motorcycle meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for on-highway use should not be refused based on the California noncertified vehicle registration refusal guidelines.
Only a REG 31 completed by an authorized DMV employee is acceptable on an application for on-highway (street) motorcycle registration of any motor vehicle currently registered as an off-highway vehicle (OHV) or titled with type license “C2” (title only). A REG 31 verification completed by other than a DMV employee is not accepted.
The following chart is to determine a motorcycle’s eligibility for on-highway registration:
| If The Motorcycle Is a | The Motorcycle May |
|---|---|
| New motorcycle submitted on an Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) | Be registered for on-highway use. |
| 1977 year model or older | |
| 1978 year model or newer with an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA and California standards for on-highway use or California Standards only for on-highway use | Be registered for on-highway use, regardless of mileage. |
| 1978 year model and newer with an emissions label indicating off-road or off-highway use only | Not be registered for on-highway use. |
| 1978 year model and newer with an engine displacement of 50 cc and larger without an emissions label | |
| 1978 through 1981 year models, with an engine displacement of 50 cc and larger and an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards only | Be registered for on-highway use (California Code of Regulations, Title 13 §1958(d)). |
| 1982 year model and newer with an engine displacement of 50 cc and larger and an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards only | Be registered for on-highway use, unless it has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer (California noncertified). |
| 2005 year model and older with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc | Be registered for on-highway use. |
| 2006 year model and newer with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc with an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards for on-highway use | Be registered for on-highway use. |
| 2006 year model and newer with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc without a U.S. EPA emissions label | Not be registered for on-highway use |
| Specially constructed (SPCNS) vehicle | Not be registered for on-highway use, if the motorcycle meets the definition of SPCNS (VC §580). |
Any motorcycle or vehicle originally manufactured for off-highway use cannot be converted for on-highway use, unless it is manufactured for dual purposes.
If a motorcycle’s engine bears a small off-road engine (SORE) label, refer to the Original OHV Registration Applications section in Chapter 15.