15.100 OHV Verification (VC §38041)

The following applies to OHV verifications:

• The Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) (PDF)form may only be completed by an authorized DMV employee for new and used off-highway motorcycles converting to on-highway or dual registration in order to verify the emission label and determine if the motorcycle can be converted to on-highway use. Refer to the OHV Motorcycle Verification information in the Conversion from OHV to On-Highway Registration section in this chapter.
• The REG 31 (PDF) for a motorcycle must include the engine and frame numbers.
• A clear pencil tracing of a snowmobile vehicle identification number (VIN) may be accepted in lieu of a physical verification (neither are required when an Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form is submitted).
• A REG 31 (PDF) is not required when evidence of prior California registration or identification is submitted and there is a vehicle record on DMV’s database.
• A REG 31 (PDF) is required when there is not a record for the vehicle on the database (unavailable records).
• If a small off-road engine (SORE) label is found, on the REG 31 (PDF)check the “See Remarks” box in the Emission Label section and write “Small Off-Road Engine emission label” in the Remarks section. Refer to the Original OHV Registration Applications section in this chapter.
• Off-highway electric recreational vehicles (OHRVs) and off-highway eMotos do not require a federal emission label or a California Air Resources Board (CARB) label.

Follow the chart below to determine when an emission label is required:

OHRV Emission Label Requirements

Type	Description	CARB Emission Label	FEDERAL EPA Label
Electric OHRV	– Off-Highway Motorcycle (eMoto) – All-terrain vehicles – Off-road utility vehicles – Off-road sport vehicles – Sand vehicles	Not required unless OHRV is a part of a “fleet”.	Not required

On-Highway/Street Legal Electric Motorcycles (eMotos)Emission Label-Required

Type	Descriptions	CARB Emission Label	Federal EPA Label
Zero Emission/Electric Street use motorcycles	*Motorcycles, less than 50 cubic centimeters (cc) displacement, with motor	Not Required	Required – U.S. EPA Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI)
Street use Gas Powered Motorcycles	*Street-use Motorcycles, less than 50 Cubic centimeters (cc) displacement, with engine *	Not Required	Required – U.S. EPA Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) *

Note Authorized Vehicle Verifiers must check both check boxes for “Vehicle meets US EPA standard only” and “Engine displacement less than 50cc (cubic centimeters) when completing a REG 31.

Electric Motorcycles (eMotos) – Typical Locations

• On the motor housing or mounting plate — manufacturers often place it on a flat metal surface of the motor or its mounting bracket, stamped or engraved on the side or top of the motor.
• Between the battery and the motor — on some models, it’s stamped or engraved on the motor housing or a nearby metal plate.  
• On the side of the bulkhead — in some cases, it’s visible from the outside between the battery and motor, or on the frame side where the motor mounts, but may be partially obscured by paint or components.

Note: Shine a flashlight at an angle across the surface to make the stamping more visible.

Electric Off‑Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typical Locations

On an electric OHV, the engine number is not a traditional internal combustion engine number; instead, it refers to the motor number or electric motor serial number. This is a unique identifier for the vehicle’s electric drive system, used for registration and service tracking.

• Stamped on the motor itself — most manufacturers place the motor number directly on the motor housing or mounting plate. For example, Kia’s electric vehicles have the motor number stamped on the motor.
• On a label attached to the vehicle — some electric OHVs have a certification or service label on the chassis, frame, or near the battery/electrical assembly that includes the motor number.
• On the chassis or frame — in some cases, the motor number is engraved or stamped on the front or driver’s side frame near the motor mounting area.

Samples of Vehicle Emission Control Labels:

U.S. EPA Vehicle Emission Control Information label (VECI) and Standard Category should have LEV or ZEV Under ‘Standard Category.