Before you ride.

Check whether you need an OHV decal

A Texas OHV decal is required at legal public-land OHV venues and at private venues supported by qualifying TPWD grants. It also applies to street-legal vehicles when trail riding where required. Ordinary private land is not automatically subject to the decal requirement.

• $16 per vehicle for the Texas fiscal year, September 1 through August 31; the price is not prorated.
• Visitors from other states also need a Texas decal where required.
• A decal does not authorize access to closed land or trails.

Training and younger riders

For covered OHVs on public OHV land or a beach, operators need a safety certificate, supervised instruction, or direct supervision by a certified adult. Carry your certificate. Under-14 operators on public OHV land also need a parent, guardian, or an adult authorized by them supervising directly.

Pack the right safety equipment

For covered OHVs on public OHV land, beaches or highways, the code requires brakes, a working muffler and a qualified spark arrester. Headlights and taillights must be lit at specified nighttime hours and in reduced visibility.

• Helmets, eye protection and fitted seat belts are required, with specific vehicle exceptions for helmets and eye protection.
• Passengers are allowed only in vehicles designed to carry them.

A decal is not road registration

ATVs, ROVs, UTVs and sand rails are titled but generally cannot receive ordinary road registration. An OHV plate permits only limited road operation under specific rules. Local authorizations, road speed limits, equipment and driver requirements still apply. Verify the exact route before using a public road between trails.

Beaches and national park roads have their own limits

Match the vehicle to the specific destination. Padre Island beach driving and Big Bend backroads require an eligible highway-legal vehicle; ordinary ATVs and side-by-sides do not qualify. Rosita Flats is a designated OHV area with its own permits and riding boundaries.

• Stay on authorized roads or beach-driving areas. Sand and dunes are not an invitation to drive anywhere.
• At Port Aransas, check the city’s vehicle eligibility, parking permit and beach zones before arrival. A Texas OHV plate alone does not establish beach access.
• A Jeep or Bronco listing still depends on the route, clearance, equipment and current closures.

Confirm the details with the park

Before leaving, check the official operating notice and confirm your vehicle type, width limits, waivers, age rules, reservations, camping, recovery requirements and any weather closure. Download the current official trail map before losing cell service.

NEED A MACHINE?

Rent a rig. Or follow a guide.

Compare self-drive rentals and guided ATV rides by Texas region, with operator requirements and related park guides.

Keep access worth protecting.

Stay on designated routes. Pack out your trash, respect neighboring property, give other trail users space, and follow local recovery and fire rules. A good day ends with the place ready for the next rider.