What Is a Street Legal Dirt Bike in California?

Street-legal dirt bikes must also have functional mirrors, lights and a windshield — along with other equipment conventional vehicles possess.

If your dirt bike isn't street legal, you might be able to convert it to a street-legal model, but only if it already meets the state's emissions requirements. It's likely easier to buy a street-legal dirt bike than to retrofit an older model. California's DMV publishes a list of compliant bikes on its website.

Are dirt bikes street legal in California?

Dirt bikes aren't typically street legal in California. Classified by the state government as off-highway vehicles (OHV), dirt bikes are subject to the state's stringent emissions regulations. Before you can legally ride on the state's OHV trails, your dirt bike has to be certified compliant by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

CARB awards a red or green sticker to all OHVs, including dirt bikes. Owners of vehicles produced in 2003 or later can ride their bikes on OHV roads year-round. These bikes can carry the CARB's green emissions sticker. Older models or newer dirt bikes with poor emissions, which have red stickers, can only be operated seasonally.

Even green-stickered OHVs aren't necessarily street legal. While you can buy green-stickered dirt bikes in California, they may not have the necessary equipment that would enable you to drive them safely on the state's roads.

If you're visiting from another part of the country and driving a dirt bike that's registered outside the state, you aren't subject to the same laws as Californians. You don't need to display a green or red sticker to use the state's OHV tracks. Your dirt bike still isn't street legal, though. And it's illegal not to re-register your bike with California plates if you move to the state.

How to make a dirt bike street legal in California

This way, you can avoid the high costs normally associated with converting an older, noncompliant dirt bike into a street-legal one.

To be able to ride your dirt bike on an OHV track any time, you have to have a green-stickered model. The emissions system of any modified dirt bike will have to be inspected as a specially constructed or kit vehicle (SPCNS) to ensure it complies with California's emissions requirements.

If you bought a green-stickered model that's not street legal, you'll have to customize it. Street-legal dirt bikes have to have the safety features found on conventional motorcycles and automobiles, such as windshields, horns, adequate brakes and so on. Finally, a vehicle that's operable both on and off the highway requires two fees and two forms of registration.

Is dirt bike insurance required?

If your dirt bike is street legal, you must carry insurance. As in other states, California treats most vehicles equally for insurance purposes. A dirt bike rider has to carry the same insurance as motorcyclists or car drivers. California requires two forms of liability insurance, for bodily injury and property damage.

California dirt bike riders must purchase coverage that is equal to or exceeds the following limits:

Do you need a license to ride a dirt bike in California?

Just as with a regular motorcycle, you need a Class M license to ride a street-legal dirt bike in California. Applying for a license is easy if you’re over 18 years old. It involves passing written, vision and driving tests.