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OHV Registration

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OHV Registration

OHV (Off-highway Vehicle) Registration and DNR User Permits
Includes All-terrain Vehicles, Off-road Motorcycles, and Off-road Utility Vehicles

Recreational vehicle owners and operators on public ice, designated public riding trails and areas, and DNR-designated OHV parks1, including use in conjunction with a disabled hunting permit, must register their machines with the Department.  Machines registered in Iowa need only display their current registration decal and the operator must carry the registration certificate on board.  Machines registered in another state are required to also display a valid registration from their home state and an IDNR Nonresident User Permit.  Registrations and IDNR Nonresident User Permits must be renewed annually and are nontransferable.  Both can be acquired starting September 1 each year and are valid for the remainder of the year plus the entire following calendar year.   

All Iowa registrations and DNR User Permits expire December 31 each calendar year.  A $5.00 penalty is added to the renewal cost for an expired Iowa registration.  There is no grace period.

Residents can obtain registrations and renewals from a County Recorder Office.  For nonresidents, IDNR User Permits may be obtained at any license vendor (County Recorder Office or participating retailer) that sells hunting and fishing privileges. 

  • Complete list of vendors and locations that sell Iowa hunting, fishing, and IDNR User Permits
    1 ORV operation is limited.  Please see OHV Parks and Rules page for areas where ORV use is allowed.

    • DNR ONLINE LICENSE AND REGISTRATION SALES SITE  

    • Registration renewals for ATVs, ORVs, and ORMs may be renewed through the Iowa DNR Online OHV/Snowmobile Registration Sales Site
    • Registration and decal will be delivered via USPS mail delivery in 5 - 10 business days. 
    • New registrations, transfers, and title/lien requests will still need to be processed at your County Recorder's Office in your county of residence.

    IMPORTANT USER PERMIT INFORMATION

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

    Registration of a New or Transferred Machine


    Purchase from a Dealer:  Dealers are required to collect the registration and title fees for a machine that is required to be registered.2  The dealer will issue to the purchaser a placard bearing the words "registration applied for" and space for the purchase date. The placard entitles the purchaser to operate the machine for 45 days immediately following the purchase while the registration is being processed.  

    Purchase by private sale:  The purchaser of a machine with a valid registration may operate it for 30 days immediately following the purchase without having completed a transfer of registration. If the registration is expired, the machine must be registered prior to operating the machine in areas where a registration is required. 

    ALL MACHINES THAT ARE REGISTERED ARE REQUIRED TO BE TITLED.  IF A LIEN IS PLACED ON A MACHINE, THAT MACHINE MUST BE TITLED.  ONCE A MACHINE IS TITLED, IT IS ALWAYS TITLED.


    Services Available at a County Recorder's Office


    • All new registrations - $18.50
    • Renewals - $18.50
    • IDNR Nonresident User Permits - $18.50
    • Duplicate registrations - $8.50
    • Titles - $13.50
    • Liens - $13.50

    Services Available at License Vendors

    • IDNR Nonresident User Permits - $17.50

    2 Registration Exemptions

    Registration is not required for the following machines:

    • Owned by the United States, this state, or another state, or by a governmental subdivision thereof, and used for enforcement, search and rescue, or official research and studies, but not for recreational or commercial purposes. 

    Registration Decals and Iowa DNR User Permit Decals - Display

    • ATVs - The decal shall be affixed to the rear of the ATV so that the decal is clearly visible.
    • ORMs - The decal shall be affixed to the yoke of the steering column so that it is clearly visible without obstructing the vehicle identification number.
    • ORVs - The decal shall be affixed to the rear of the vehicle so that the decal is clearly visible.
    Ready to register your vehicle? You must have the following:
    Where do I send my registration paperwork?
    New registration and renewals are sent to the county recorder in the county in which you reside. 
    Iowa County Recorders
    Have a vehicle that you are unable to obtain the proper paperwork (as listed above)? 
    Visit our vehicle or vessel bonding page for complete instructions and how to contact the DNR to start the bonding process.  
    List of Iowa ATV Dealers List of Iowa ATV Dealers

    Wanting to become an OHV Dealer? 
    Visit our Recreational Dealer Registration page to learn more about becoming an OHV dealer and to find the appropriate application.