Coyote Powersports Off-Highway Vehicle Requirements
In order to ride on public lands in Texas (or any land developed by a state grant) you need to have an OHV decal on your vehicle (this includes ATVs, UTVs, Dirt Bikes, Scooters, and Street Legal Motorcycles). Decals can be obtained at Coyote Powersports.
Whether you ride dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, or a 4x4 truck, an off-highway vehicle is a great way to spend time together outdoors with your family and friends. There are many exciting sites in Texas to ride and new sites are always opening. Many sites also offer hiking and camping which makes it easy to take the whole family along for an outdoors adventure.
The Texas Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Program is a new program to help make it easier to find places to ride safely and to encourage more responsible use of the outdoors. The program is also designed to provide funding to develop more recreational areas for OHV users. An OHV decal is now required by law for all individuals operating an OHV in Texas in an area that is located on public land, or on lands that have been purchased with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department OHV grants.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to OHV decals
What is the cost of the OHV decal? Currently the annual decal fee is $8.00 for the period of September 1st to August 31st
How long are the OHV decals valid for? The OHV program year is based on the State of Texas fiscal year which begins on September 1 and runs until August 31 of the following year.
Is the cost of the OHV decals prorated if the decals are purchased after the beginning of the program year? No, the decals are not prorated based on the time left in the program year.
Can I buy a replacement OHV decal if mine is lost or destroyed? No, replacements for lost or destroyed decals will not be offered at this time. You can purchase another OHV decal to replace ones that are lost or destroyed.
Where can I buy the OHV decal? Decals can be purchased directly from Texas Parks & Wildlife or any cooperating vendors. Please see our where to buy page for more information.
What types of vehicles are required to have a OHV decal? Non-street legal motorcycles, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and non-street legal four-wheel drive vehicles are required to have the OHV decal when trail riding on public lands in Texas. Use of street legal OHV's does not require the Texas OHV decal no matter where they are used in Texas.
What types of vehicles do not need the decal? Street legal motorcycles, full sized vehicles, full sized 2 wheel drive vehicles, and 2 wheel drive vehicles which use a bench seat or other up-right, backed seats, instead of a saddle, do not need an OHV decal when riding on public land. Use of OHV's on private land does not require the Texas OHV decal.
Where do I need the Texas OHV decal when trail riding? This law applies to all public lands in Texas including all municipal, county, state or federal lands where OHV recreation is approved and legal.
Do I need an OHV decal when trail riding on private lands? No, unless the land was purchased for use as an OHV park or at an existing OHV venue that made facility improvements using National Recreational Trails Program grant funds or Texas OHV program grant funds.
Will my Texas OHV decal be honored in other states? Currently, an informal reciprocity agreement exists between some states which have state OHV programs. If you have a current Texas OHV decal and want to use your OHV in another state which has an OHV decal program, you should check with that State's OHV program to obtain accurate and up to date information related to the requirements of their OHV decal program before trail riding in OHV legal areas.
Will OHV decals from other states be honored in Texas? OHV decals are reciprocal between states which have OHV decal programs. If a resident of another state wants to trail ride with their OHV on public lands, where OHV recreation is legal in Texas, they will not be required to purchase a Texas OHV decal.
Does possession of an OHV decal give me legal access and approval to use OHV's on any public land in Texas? No. Possession of a Texas OHV decal does not allow legal OHV access to public lands where legal access does not currently exist.
Is there a penalty or fine for not possessing an OHV decal when & where it is required? Failure to comply with the provisions of this law constitutes a Class C misdemeanor and could result in the OHV operator being issued a citation... Fines for this offense range from $25 to $500. More information about the OHV decals is available on the TPWD website.
For more information on the regulations and statutes governing OHV decals, click here: Texas Parks & Wildlife Off Highway Vehicle Program
Escondido Draw Recreational Area
Escondido Draw Recreational Area, near Ozona, about 200 miles West off Interstate 10 covers 3,400 acres and features 35 miles of trails for dirt bikes and another 35 miles for full size 4WD vehicles and ATVs.
