Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 16 of 38

Chapter 15: Off-Highway Vehicles

15.110 Original OHV Registration Applications

15.110 Original OHV Registration Applications (CVC §§4000, 24007, 38010, 38012, 38040, 38070, and 38080)

California Air Resources Board (ARB) regulations require 2003 and newer year model OHVs to have approved emissions systems in order to be issued a green (complying) sticker. To determine if the vehicle’s emission system is in compliance, or exempt from, California regulations, all 2003 and newer year model OHV must be verified.

New and Used OHVs Defined—New OHVs are vehicles that have not been previously registered or operated by a prior owner in another state before being purchased by a California resident. Used OHVs are vehicles that have been previously registered or operated by a prior owner in another state.

The following must be submitted:

  • Proof of ownership. This may be any one of the following:
    — An Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form, if sold by a California dealer. The frame and engine numbers must be shown for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
    — A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form and nonresident requirements.
    — The Manufacturer’s Certificate/Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO) endorsed to the nonlicensed dealer or the original or certified copy of the factory invoice to the nonlicensed dealer and any bills of sale needed to establish a complete chain of ownership to the applicant. A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form may be accepted in lieu of a MCO/MSO or factory invoice for a vehicle valued at $5,000 or less, as shown on the REG 343. A motor vehicle bond and REG 256 are required if the vehicle is valued over $5,000 and proof of ownership cannot be furnished.
    — A business invoice with the name and address of a California nondealer.
  • A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form, if a REG 397 is not submitted.
  • A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form, unless a REG 397 is submitted.
  • Fees due.

The procedures below must be followed:

  • Determine if the OHV qualifies for issuance of a green sticker as follows:
If the OHV Is aThen the OHV
2002 or older year model vehicleCan be registered and issued a green sticker.
2003 or newer year model vehicle with an emission label indicating compliance with California regulations for off-road vehicles or on-highway use
2003 or newer year model vehicle with an emission label indicating it meets or complies with U.S. EPA standards only for on-highway useCan be registered and issued a green sticker unless it is a California noncertified refusal as explained in the California Noncertified and Direct Import Vehicles Registration Refusals.
2003 or newer year model vehicle that does not have an emission labelCannot be registered and issued a green sticker unless:
It was brought into California new or used by a nonresident and registered to that owner.The owner qualifies for an exemption, as explained in California Noncertified and Direct Import Vehicles Exemptions.
2003 or newer year model vehicle with a “3” or “C” in the eighth position of the vehicle identification number,
Note: Street-legal motorcycles with a “3” or “C” in the eighth position may be registered if assigned the correct
on-highway type license code
Is noncomplying and cannot be issued a green sticker. Refer to the Registration of Noncomplying OHVs section in this chapter for procedures.
Vehicle sold new on or after January 1, 2008, which bears a small off-road engine (SORE) labelCannot be registered.
The procedures below must be followed:
Refuse the registration application.
Copy the documents, and return the originals to the customer.Fax the copies to the Technical Compliance Section (TCS) at (916) 657-6763 with a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form stating “Registration refused SORE label.”
Refer to California Noncertified and Direct Import Vehicles Registration Refusals.
  • Collect the fees and use tax, if due. Refer to Appendix 1F.
    — The motorcycle cross index fee is not due for OHV motorcycles.
    — The nonresident service fee is not required for OHV registration.

Direct Import Motorcycles—A direct import is considered new if it enters California or is obtained by a California resident before it is two years old. The following applies when OHV registration is requested for a direct import motorcycle:

  • used direct import motorcycle (more than two years old) may be issued an OHV identification card only.
  • new direct import motorcycle, as defined above, cannot be registered.
  • Direct import OHV registrations must be branded “Non-USA” and cannot be converted to street registration.

The procedures below must be followed:

  • Copy the documents and give the originals back to the applicant.
  • Not collect any fees.
  • Not issue indicia.
  • Attach the DMV file copy to the document copies and forward the application to the TCS MS E276 in DMV headquarters.
  • Advise the applicant that DMV headquarters will review the documents and notify them of any additional requirements.
  • Refer customers with questions or concerns regarding emission labels or emission standards to the California Air Resources Board (ARB) at 1-800-242-4450 or www.arb.ca.gov.

Abbreviations for Chinese Motorcycles and ATVs

The Department of Motor Vehicles Automation (DMVA) system does not currently generate any data for certain motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) because the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) are not supported by the system’s VIN decoder—VINtelligence.

When keying an original transaction and the VIN does not generate any data, key the information as shown on the Report of Sale.

Use the Make Abbreviations associated with the manufacturers listed below:

ManufacturerMake AbbreviationType
Jiangsu Baodiao Locomotive Co., LtdBAODIAOMotorcycle
Taizhou Zhongneng Motorcycle Co., LtdZNENMotorcycle
Zhejiang Kayo Motor CompanyKAYOATV
Reytech Power Science & TechnologyCRTATV