Off-Highway Vehicles

The ANNUAL renewal period for registrations without penalty is September 1st through December 31st.

Be sure to register your OHV. All newly owned machines, or machines not yet entered into the recreational vehicle and vessel registration system (RVVRS), must be registered through the County Recorder’s Office in the owner’s county of residence.

To register you will need:

• Bill of sale/Proof of ownership
• New Vehicles - Manufacturers Statement of Origin
• Used Vehicles - Vehicle Title (if applicable) and/or Registration
• Application for Boats, Snowmobiles, ATVs and ORVs (Form #542-8067)

Off-Highway Vehicles which have been entered into RVVRS may be renewed through a County Recorder's Office or the Iowa DNR Online License and Registration site. You will need to provide your DNR customer number, which is printed on your vehicle registration.

Iowa DNR Nonresident User permits can be purchased through the Iowa DNR Online License System. Permits purchased online will be delivered via USPS mail in 5 - 10 business days.

DNR Online License and Registration Sales:

• Registration renewals for ATVs, ORVs, and ORMs may be renewed through the Iowa DNR Online License System.
• Registration and decal will be delivered via USPS mail delivery in 5 - 10 business days.

The State of Iowa administers a grant program for the acquisition and development of all-terrain vehicles (ATV), off-road motorcycles (ORM), and off-road utility vehicles (ORV) trails and the upkeep and maintenance of designated OHV parks in the state. This program is funded from vehicle registration fees. 

Who May Apply?

• Political subdivisions
• Incorporated private organizations

When to Apply
Applications must be received by the DNR on or before the close of business (4:30 pm) on February 1st annually.

How to Apply 
Applications are provided:

• Application for ATV Grant Funds (DNR Form 542-0199)
• Volunteer Waiver Form (DNR Form 542-0227)
• Example ATV Park Development Plan
• ATV Grant Rules - IAC 571.28

Mail to:
OHV Program Contact
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Off-Highway Vehicle Program
6200 Park Ave Ste 200
Des Moines, IA  50321
Jessica Flatt, jessica.flatt@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-975-8569

Whenever an ATV, ORM, or ORV is involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person or property damage amounting to $1,500 or more, the operator of the vehicle or a person acting for the operator shall immediately notify the county sheriff or another law enforcement agency in the state.

If the accident occurred on public land, a designated riding area, a designated riding trail, or ice under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resource Commission, the operator shall file a report of the accident with the Department of Natural Resources within 72 hours. The report shall be on DNR Form 542-8093.

All reports shall be submitted to the Iowa DNR State Parks Bureau, 6200 Park Ave Ste 200, Des Moines, Iowa, 50321, and shall include a full description of the incident. If you have any questions, please call the DNR Des Moines Office at 515-725-8200.

Operator Incident Report Form: 542-8093

ATV riders in the state of Iowa who are ages 12 through 17 are required to have taken and passed an ATV education course and have an education certificate in their possession when riding on public land, public ice, and designated riding areas and trails, if these areas are signed open to ATV use. This also applies to nonresident riders. The focus of the DNR ATV Education Program is to provide an education course that reduces the rate of accidents, injuries, property damage, and fatalities, while at the same time promoting the development of environmental stewards by educating our students about environmental concerns, energy conservation and proper maintenance of ATVs, and promoting the practice of only riding in legal areas and with landowner permission. ATVCourse.com The DNR has collaborated with Fresh Air Educators to make an online certification offering available for the ATV Education Program. State-specific information regarding riding opportunities, laws, and regulations is a component of the course.

This is a managed course which features interactive exercises for students as well as narrated content to assist with different learning styles. The study guide is free to all users, as well as Chapter 1 of the course. In order to progress past Chapter 1, students will be required to register for the course. The course fee is $34.95, which includes the $5 DNR fee for the education certificate. Students must pass a chapter quiz in order to progress to the next chapter and must pass a final exam with 80% accuracy to earn their certificate. There is no riding component for this course.

Topics covered by the course include, but are not limited to, parts of the machine and how they work, riding positions and when to use them, safety gear, personal responsibility, and conservation principles.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to download their ATV Education Certificate and be ready to hit the trails. Students must be 12 or older to earn their ATV education certificate through ATVCourse.com.
 

When individuals and groups want to use public land and water for events, they must apply for use of that resource through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These events are compiled by the Special Events System and are displayed on a calendar of events and can be searched by type, location, and date.

To find events which may be of interest to you, please go to https://programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.

The Department may authorize the holding of organized special events at the designated OHV parks as defined in Iowa Code Chapter 321I. The Department shall issue permits which address the conduct of special events and shall designate the equipment and facilities necessary for the safe operation of OHVs and for the safety of operators, participants, and observers in the special events. Endurance races, head-to-head competition, and nonmotorized events will not be permitted. A special event shall not be conducted without written authorization of the Department.

Residents participating in a special event must display a current registration on their vehicles. Nonresidents must display a valid, Iowa nonresident user permit on their vehicles.

At least 30 days before the scheduled date of a special event, an application must be filed with the DNR using the Special Events web-based application found at https://programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.

For more information, contact DNR Customer Service: 515-725-8200 or webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov.