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Off-Road Vehicles

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  • Title Your Vehicle or Trailer
    • Replacement Titles
    • Substitute Titles
    • Liens on a Title
    • Designate a Beneficiary on a Vehicle Title
    • First Printed Title
    • Off-Road Vehicles
    • Salvage and Nonrepairable Vehicles
    • Title a Converted Electric Vehicle
    • Title a Reconstructed, Specially Constructed or Replica Vehicle
    • Get a Homemade Trailer Plate
    • Converting a Vehicle to a Motor Home
    • Title a Repossessed Vehicle
    • Title an Imported Vehicle in Virginia
    • Virginia Salvage Code Sections
    • Disabled Veteran Sales and Use Tax Exemption
    • Electronic Titling
    • Submit Titling and Registration Applications by Mail
    • Title Application Drop-off Service

An off-road vehicle is a motor vehicle designed to drive both on and off public roadways. Common off-road vehicles include:

A motor-powered vehicle with three or more wheels designed for off-highway use. This definition does not include go-carts or any riding lawn mower.

A motor-powered vehicle designed for off-road use and used as a farm, agricultural or horticultural service vehicle. Farm utility vehicles generally have four or more wheels, bench seating for the operator and a passenger, a steering wheel for control, and a cargo bed. This definition does not include utility pickup or panel trucks, golf carts, low-speed vehicles or riding lawn mowers.

A vehicle with a low center of gravity that is typically used for racing on relatively level surfaces.

A motor-powered vehicle designed to transport persons playing golf and their equipment on a golf course.

Any motorcycle designed only for off-road use by an individual rider with no more than two wheels in contact with the ground.

A motor-powered vehicle designed for off-road use and used for general maintenance, security, agricultural or horticultural purposes. This definition does not include riding lawn mowers.

See Virginia Code.

Off-Road Vehicle Rules of the Road

Titling Requirements for ATVs and Off-Road Motorcycles

  • New ATV or off-road motorcycles powered by a gasoline or diesel engine displacing more than 50 CCs must be titled.
  • ATVs and off-road motorcycles are not required to be registered.
  • You may title a used ATV or off-road motorcycle or any reason, including recording a lien or documenting proof of ownership.

Operating Requirements for ATVs and Golf Carts

  • You must be 16 years or older to operate an ATV. However:
    • Children between the age of 12 and 16 may operate ATVs if powered by engines displacing no more than 90 CCs
    • Children under 12 may operate ATVs powered by engines displacing no more than 70 CCs
  • It is illegal to operate ATVs on any public highway or other private property, unless proper authorities allow it to:
    • Cross a public highway by the most direct route
    • Be operated by law-enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical services responding to emergencies
  • Any person operating an ATV vehicle must wear a protective helmet.
  • It is illegal to operate a golf cart on any public highway unless proper authorities designate that portion of public highway for golf cart use.

See Virginia Code for more rules.

How To Title Your ATV or Off-Road Motorcycle

You can title your vehicle by mail or in person at any DMV customer service center.

Make an Appointment at DMV

Mail to:

Virginia DMV 
Attn: Titles and Registration Work Center 
P.O. Box 27412 
Richmond, VA 23269

  1. Completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration (VSA 17A)
    • You do not need to provide the odometer reading for ATVs or off-road motorcycles
  2. Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin
    • For off-road motorcycles, you must include the motorcycle dealer license number
  3. Virginia title or out-of-state title signed over to you as the owner, if the vehicle is used
    • Virginia does not require titling of used ATVs or off-road motorcycles
  4. Bill of sale
  5. Proof of address

  • $15 titling fee
    • ATVs and off-road motorcycles purchased and used by a non-profit volunteer rescue squad are exempt from the titling fee, as long as the rescue squad can provide proof it is registered as a non-profit volunteer squad
  • Sales and Use Tax (SUT)
    • ATVs and off-road motorcycles are subject to SUT and exempt from the retail sales and use tax. The SUT is imposed on the vehicle's sales price at a rate of:

      • Seven percent in the Historic Triangle (City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County)
      • Six percent in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia and Central Virginia
      • 5.3 percent everywhere else in the Commonwealth of Virginia

      Note: The minimum SUT of $75 does not apply to ATVs and off-road motorcycles. If you don't have proof of the sales price, the SUT will be based on the average retail value listed in the NADA Official Used Car Guide.

Selecting Electronic or Paper Title

On the VSA 17A form, you can choose to receive a paper title, or have DMV keep an electronic record of the title to ensure its safety.

If you select the electronic option, when you need a paper title, you may visit any customer service center and request one. You'll be required to show proof that you are the registered owner.

  • If no lien ever existed on the vehicle record and no paper title was previously issued, a one-time paper title will be issued at no fee
  • If a lien existed or a paper title was previously printed, the $15 substitute title fee will be charged 

Note: If the lien is an electronic lien and the lien has been released, a one-time paper title will be issued at no fee, provided it has not been printed already.

If you currently have an electronic title that is in good standing with no lien, you may request a paper title online, at a customer service center or by mail. If by mail, send your written request and payment (if applicable) to:

Virginia DMV  
Attn: Titles and Registration Work Center  
P.O. Box 27412  
Richmond, VA 23269

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