Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 16 of 38

Chapter 15: Off-Highway Vehicles

15.005 Competition (Racing) Motorcycle (CVC §38088)

Chapter 15 Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)

15.005 Competition (Racing) Motorcycle (CVC §38088)

Closed course racing and/or competition (racing) motorcycles are frequently loaned to racing teams by manufacturers to be used specifically for racing and are usually returned to the manufacturer. These vehicles cannot be registered . They are eligible for issuance of a special Motorcycle Transportation Permit.

A closed course includes, but is not limited to, a speedway, racetrack, or a prescribed and defined route of travel on or off a highway that is closed to all motor vehicles other than those of racing participants. A closed course is not available at any time for vehicular access by the general public (CVC §38014).

Applications for registration of motorcycles manufactured specifically for racing must be refused, as they are not intended:

  • To be registered.
  • For retail sale.
  • For recreational use.
  • To be driven on public highways.

Closed course racing and/or competition (racing) motorcycles are frequently loaned to racing teams by manufacturers to be used specifically for racing and are usually returned to the manufacturer. These vehicles cannot be registered . They are eligible for issuance of a special Motorcycle Transportation Permit.

Not all manufacturers identify racing motorcycles in the same manner. Some racing motorcycles may:

  • Lack a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Not bear a label indicating it meets California or U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on-road emissions requirements for 1978 and newer motorcycles.
  • Not bear a label indicating it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
  • Bear a “Competition Only” label.
  • Be issued a manufacturer’s certificate/statement of origin stating “Competition Only.”

Some racing motorcycles may be registered as a noncomplying OHV. To be eligible for noncomplying OHV registration (red sticker), the eighth digit of the VIN must be number “3” or letter “C” and the motorcycle must be certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) for noncomplying OHV registration. Continue to follow the registration procedures in the Registration of Noncomplying OHV section in this chapter.

The procedures below must be followed:

  • Review the original motorcycle registration documents to determine if the vehicle is a racing motorcycle as follows:
    — The Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form may indicate the vehicle: lacks a
    17- digit VIN, EPA label, FMVSS label, or bears a “Competition Only” label.
    — The manufacturer’s certificate/statement of origin may indicate “Competition Only.”
  • Return the application to the customer, if it is determined that the application is a refusal.
  • Not collect fees.
  • Contact the Technical Compliance Section at (916) 657-6795 (Do not give this number to the public), if unable to determine if the vehicle is a racing motorcycle.
  • Make a note in the REMARKS section if a “Competition Only” label is observed when completing a REG 31 for a motorcycle.
  • Refer applicants who inquire about ARB’s On-Road New Vehicle and Engine Certification program and Executive Orders to ARB at 1-800-242-4450 or www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/cert.php#6.

A racing motorcycle not factory-manufactured with a spark arrester cannot become eligible for a green off-highway identification sticker by the addition of a spark arrester at a later date.