Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Certification Requirements

This page last updated November 15, 2011.


This page provides a list of emission-related regulations, test procedures, Manufacturers Advisory Correspondences (MACs), and related documents applicable to off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRV) including off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicies (ATVs), off-road utility vehicles, off-road sport vehicles, sand cars, and electric golf carts, and is primarily for the interest and needs of manufacturers and others that are required to obtain certification from ARB. For more public-oriented materials, please visit ARB's Regulations for Off-Highway Motorcycles page.

Please sign up to the new Mobile Source Mailouts and MAC list server. By doing this, you will be notified when a new Mobile Source Mailout (e.g. proposing a new rule or amending an existing rule) or MAC (e.g. providing ARB's policy decisions and interpretations of the regulations and test procedures) has been posted to the Mobile Source Mailouts or MAC webpages. These email notices can replace any of the mobile source hard copy mailing lists you may already be on. If you subscribe to the ms-mailings list serve, you may wish to delete your subscription to the hard copy lists by notifying Alex Axt.


Overview A presentation summarizing the process by which OHRV manufacturers can certify their vehicles for sale in California. This presentation is taylored for the sand car industry, however the certification procedures for other OHRVs such as off-road motorcycles, ATVs, etc. are similar. (PDF - 146K). Printer friendly version. (PDF - 74K)
Regulations The California emissions regulations for OHRV are in Title 13, California Code of Regulations, (13 CCR) Sections 2410 - 2415 which are posted at ARB's Off-Road Recreational Vehicles Regulation page.  These regulations are re-posted here. (PDF - 246K)
In November 2009 the Large Spark-Ignition Engine (LSIE) regulations were amended to require that, starting with the 2011 model year, LSIEs with an engine displacement ≤ 1.0 liter used in OHRVs that, with the exception of payload capacity, meet the "Off-Road Sport Vehicle" or "Off-road Utility Vehicle" definition in 13 CCR §2411, must meet the exhaust emission standards in 13 CCR §2433 (b)(1)(A).  LSIEs with an engine displacement > 825 cc but ≤ 1.0 liter need not meet the 2015 and subsequent exhasut emission standards in 13 CCR §2433 (b)(1)(A).  These engines are subject to the test procedures and certification procedures for OHRV.
  • §2433. Emission Standards and Test Procedures - Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition Engines. (PDF - 33K)
Test Procedures The regulations above reference the the "California Exhaust Emissions Standards and Test Procedures for 1997 and Later Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles and Engines." (PDF - 1282K)
The OHRV Test Procedures Incorporate by reference, with noted modifications, sections of Subparts E and F, Part 86, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, and Subparts A, B, C, F, and I, Part 1051, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.  These federal regulations are available from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Nonroad Engines, Equipment, and Vehicles web page.
Emissions Label The California emissions labeling requirements for OHRV are in 13 CCR §2413. (PDF - 246K)
Manufacturers Advisory Correspondences MAC 2007-01, Policy regarding the use of Electronic Signatures in the Air Resources Board's (ARB) Document Management System for Certification. (PDF - 87K)
Mail-outs MSO 2008-01, Compliance Assistance and Certification Workshop for Highway Motorcycles, Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles, and Small Off-Road Engines and Equipment. (PDF - 35K)

Presentation - (PDF - 6131K). Printer friendly version. (PDF - 471K)
MSO 2007-03, New Requirement to Report Carbon Dioxide Emissions from 2008 and Subsequent Model Year California Certified Vehicles and Engines. (PDF - 85K)
MSO 2000-12 , Manufacturer Quarterly Reporting Requirements for Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles and Engines. (PDF - 21K)
MSO 99-04, Certification of Non-Emission-Compliant Off-Road Motorcycles (OFMCs) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).(PDF - 13K)
M/O96-16, Guidelines for Certification of Off-Highway Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).(PDF - 231K)
Frequently Asked Questions Confirmatory Testing by ARB, Highway Motocycles and Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles (PDF - 70K)

Pre Delivery Checklist for ARB Confirmatory Test Vehicle - Highway Motorcycles, Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles (PDF -12K)
ARB Certification Administrative Requirements New vehicle manufacturers are required to register with ARB as a manufacturer to gain access to the Document Management System (DMS). See these web pages:
For more information regarding highway motorcycle certification, please contact the On-Road Light-Duty Certification staff listed on the On-Road New Vehicle and Engine Certification Program web page.

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