California Dirt Bike Laws: What You Need to Know

California has some of the strictest regulations in the country when it comes to off-highway vehicles (OHVs), including dirt bikes. 

Whether you’re riding on public trails, private property, or hoping to make your dirt bike street-legal, understanding the state’s laws can save you from fines and legal trouble.

Registration & Red/Green Sticker Program

In California, dirt bikes must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Unlike traditional street-legal vehicles, dirt bikes fall under the state’s Red and Green Sticker Program, which determines when and where you can ride based on emissions standards, according to CA.gov.

• Green Sticker (CVC §38010): Applies to dirt bikes that meet California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards. These bikes can be ridden year-round on public OHV trails.
  
  
• Red Sticker: Assigned to dirt bikes that do not meet emissions standards. Red sticker bikes are restricted to specific riding seasons in designated OHV areas.
  
  
• Non-Red/Green Sticker Bikes (CVC §38020): If a dirt bike lacks an emissions sticker or is meant for closed-course competition, it may not be eligible for public land use.
  
  

Where You Can Ride

California has numerous OHV parks and trails, but not all areas permit red sticker bikes year-round. Popular legal riding areas include:

• Ocotillo Wells SVRA
  
  
• Carnegie SVRA
  
  
• Hollister Hills SVRA
  
  
• Glamis (Imperial Sand Dunes)
  
  

Always check local regulations, as some counties impose additional restrictions (CVC §38301).

How to Make a Dirt Bike Street Legal in California

1. Verify Eligibility

Not all dirt bikes can be converted for street use in California. The state has banned conversions for many off-highway motorcycles due to emissions laws. Before starting the process, check if your bike:

• Has a California Green Sticker, meaning it meets emissions standards.
  
  

• It is labeled as “Closed-Course Only,” which makes it ineligible for street conversion.
  
  

If your dirt bike is not CARB-approved, it will likely not qualify for street registration.

2. Meet California DMV Equipment Requirements

Your dirt bike must have all the equipment necessary for a street-legal motorcycle under California Vehicle Code sections 24012 and 38335. This includes:

• DOT-approved headlights with high and low beams.
  
  

• DOT-approved taillights and brake lights.
  
  

• Front and rear turn signals.
  
  

• Left and right mirrors.
  
  

• An electric or mechanical horn.
  
  

• A speedometer and an odometer.
  
  

• DOT-approved street-legal tires.
  
  

• A license plate mount with illumination.
  
  

• A chain guard and mud flap.
  
  

The bike must also have a functional braking system, including both front and rear brakes, as required under California Vehicle Code section 38355.

3. Pass an Emissions Test

California requires all street-legal motorcycles to meet strict emissions standards set by the California Air Resources Board.

• The bike must have a factory emissions sticker certifying it meets CARB standards.
  
  

• If it does not have this sticker, it cannot be legally converted for street use.
  
  

• Red Sticker bikes are not eligible for on-road conversion.
  
  

4. Get an Inspection

If the bike meets equipment and emissions requirements, it must be taken to a California DMV office or a California Highway Patrol station for a VIN inspection. The inspection will check for:

• Proper equipment compliance.
  
  

• A valid emissions certification.
  
  

• No “off-road use only” restrictions on the title.
  
  

5. Obtain a License Plate and Registration

If the dirt bike passes all inspections, the DMV will issue a street-legal license plate and update the title to reflect on-road use. Once registered, the bike must have:

• Valid motorcycle insurance.
  
  

• A current registration sticker displayed properly.

California has some of the toughest laws for making a dirt bike street-legal. Many newer dirt bikes are manufactured as off-road only and cannot be converted. Riders looking for a street-legal dirt bike may have better luck purchasing a dual-sport model that already meets on-road requirements from the factory. 

Many dirt bikes are not eligible for conversion due to strict emissions rules, so verifying compliance before modification is essential. Additionally, dirt bikes are generally restricted from operating on highways unless legally converted (CVC §38025).

Rider Requirements for Street-Legal and Off-Road Dirt Bikes in California

California has strict laws regarding who can operate a dirt bike, what safety gear is required, and what licenses are necessary. These rules apply to both off-road and street-legal dirt bikes.