California’s changing OHV sticker system and what it means for dirt-bike and ATV owners.

This article will explain the differences between Green, legacy Red, and the newer Tan Stickers, including the major changes affecting competition motorcycles and ATVs. Owners of model-year 2003–2021 Red Sticker vehicles may now generally ride year-round in areas open to their vehicle type. However, model-year 2022 and newer motorcycles and ATVs that do not meet California emissions requirements are classified as competition vehicles and are generally restricted to closed-course competition use on public lands.

We will also explain how to determine whether a motorcycle is legal for recreational trail riding, what buyers should check before purchasing a dirt bike, and why the color of the decal alone may not tell the whole story.

If you own—or are considering buying—an off-highway motorcycle or ATV in California, this is an article you will not want to miss.

California now effectively has three categories of OHV identification: Green, legacy Red, and the newer Tan sticker. The most important change concerns model-year 2022 and newer competition dirt bikes and ATVs.

Sticker	Vehicles covered	Where and when it may be operated
Green Sticker	CARB-certified OHVs; all 2002-and-older OHVs; and certain categories such as dune buggies, snowmobiles, amphibious vehicles, and golf carts	Year-round on public lands where OHV use is authorized
Red Sticker	Generally, non-emissions-compliant motorcycles and ATVs from model years 2003–2021	Since January 1, 2025, year-round in public areas designated for OHV recreation
Tan Sticker	Model-year 2022 and newer motorcycles and ATVs that are not CARB emissions compliant	Registration/identification only; closed-course competition use on public lands—not general trail or open-area recreation
Street license plate	Motorcycles certified and registered for highway use	Public highways and OHV routes where street-legal vehicles are permitted

Green Stickers

A Green Sticker identifies an OHV that is legally eligible for recreational operation on public lands open to motorized use throughout the year.

Green Stickers generally go to:

• Model-year 2002 and older OHVs, regardless of their original emissions classification.
• Model-year 2003 and newer motorcycles and ATVs certified by CARB for recreational OHV use.
• Snowmobiles, amphibious vehicles, dune buggies, and golf carts under DMV’s listed exclusions.
• Newer trail motorcycles specifically manufactured and certified as California emissions-compliant recreational vehicles.

A Green Sticker does not grant access everywhere. The vehicle must still be operated on a road, trail, open area, or facility where that class of OHV is authorized. Sound limits, spark-arrester requirements, seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and local land-management rules still apply. California DMV OHV registration guidance

What Happened to Red Stickers?

The Red Sticker Program historically applied to dirt bikes and ATVs that did not meet CARB recreational-OHV emissions standards. These vehicles were allowed to operate only during locally established riding seasons, generally outside the months with the highest ozone levels.

The important dates are:

• Model years 2003–2021: Noncompliant motorcycles and ATVs remained eligible for Red Sticker registration.
• Model year 2022 forward: California ended the old Red Sticker pathway for newly manufactured competition vehicles.
• January 1, 2025: Seasonal operating restrictions ended for the legacy 2003–2021 Red Sticker fleet.

Consequently, a properly registered 2003–2021 Red Sticker motorcycle or ATV may now generally be operated year-round anywhere Green Sticker OHVs of that vehicle type are permitted. The sticker may still physically be red, but its former seasonal restriction no longer applies. California State Parks says these vehicles “will no longer be restricted to a riding season.” California State Parks OHMVR FAQ

This did not convert every Red Sticker registration physically into a Green Sticker. It changed the operating privileges of the existing fleet.

The Major Change for Competition Dirt Bikes

The change beginning with model year 2022 created a sharp distinction between a recreational trail motorcycle and a competition motorcycle.

Before model year 2022

A competition dirt bike that failed to meet CARB’s recreational emissions standards could usually receive a Red Sticker. Although riding was seasonally restricted, the motorcycle could still be used for ordinary recreational trail riding during the area’s authorized Red Sticker season.

Examples included many motocross, cross-country, enduro, and two-stroke motorcycles.

Model year 2022 and newer

A competition motorcycle that is not CARB-certified no longer qualifies for recreational Green Sticker privileges. DMV now identifies these vehicles with a Tan Sticker, and the title or registration may be branded:

• NC M/C for a noncomplying motorcycle.
• NC ATV for a noncomplying ATV.

CARB states that a noncompliant vehicle or one carrying a Tan Sticker is considered a competition vehicle restricted to closed-course competition use on public lands. CARB Red Sticker Program guidance

This means a 2022-or-newer competition dirt bike generally cannot legally be used for:

• Ordinary trail riding on Forest Service or BLM routes.
• Recreational riding in an SVRA’s general trail system.
• Open-area desert recreation.
• Casual practice in an area that is not being operated as a closed course.
• Connecting between competition areas over regular public OHV trails.

It may generally be used:

• On a privately operated motocross or competition track, subject to that facility’s rules.
• On private property with the owner’s permission, subject to applicable laws.
• In a properly established closed-course competition area or sanctioned event.
• At a public OHV facility only when the specific course and activity meet the closed-course competition requirements.

The Tan Sticker allows California to title, identify, and track the vehicle. It does not give the vehicle the same recreational public-land privileges as a Green or qualifying legacy Red Sticker. California DMV noncomplying-OHV procedures

A Common Source of Confusion

Some owners of model-year 2022 and newer competition motorcycles were issued Red Stickers while DMV and other agencies worked through implementation of the new system. A Red-colored decal issued administratively does not necessarily transform a 2022-or-newer noncompliant competition motorcycle into a recreational OHV.

The controlling questions are:

1. What is the motorcycle’s model year?
2. Is it CARB-certified for recreational OHV use?
3. What does the emissions label state?
4. Is the registration or title branded NC M/C?
5. Was it assigned a Tan or other noncompliant classification?

In other words, owners should not assume, “DMV mailed me a red decal, so I can trail ride it.” For 2022-and-newer motorcycles, the underlying CARB certification and DMV record are more important than the apparent decal color.

How to Check a Dirt Bike Before Buying It

A buyer should examine more than the eighth character of the VIN.

• Locate the manufacturer’s emissions-control label on the frame.
• Confirm that it states the motorcycle complies with California requirements for off-highway recreational vehicles.
• Check the model year—not merely the purchase year.
• Review the title for NC M/C or another noncomplying designation.
• Ask to see the current DMV registration certificate.
• Obtain the VIN before purchasing and verify its California registration eligibility.
• Do not rely solely on a dealer’s statement that the motorcycle is “off-road legal.”
• Distinguish a trail model from the manufacturer’s motocross or competition version.

Historically, a 3 or C in the eighth position of the VIN commonly identified a noncompliant OHV. DMV continues to reference this indicator, but the emissions label, CARB certification, and DMV classification should be checked together.

Practical Examples

2020 two-stroke competition motorcycle with a valid Red Sticker:
It is part of the legacy 2003–2021 fleet and may generally be ridden year-round beginning in 2025 on public lands open to that type of OHV.

2024 two-stroke motocross motorcycle with a Tan Sticker:
It is not a general recreational trail motorcycle. On public land, it is limited to qualifying closed-course competition use.

2024 CARB-certified four-stroke trail motorcycle with a Green Sticker:
It may be operated year-round on designated public OHV routes and areas.

2001 competition motorcycle:
DMV treats model-year 2002 and older OHVs as Green Sticker eligible.

Bottom Line

The 2025 change was good news for owners of older Red Sticker motorcycles: model-year 2003–2021 vehicles gained year-round recreational riding privileges.

However, it did not restore trail access for model-year 2022 and newer noncompliant competition motorcycles. Those machines fall under the Tan Sticker/noncompliant system and remain limited to closed-course competition when operated on public lands.

This distinction should be made clear:

Legacy Red Sticker motorcycles gained year-round access, but 2022-and-newer competition motorcycles did not become Green Sticker trail bikes.