Permits & Reciprocity

Texas riders under 14 may ride OHVs only with direct supervision by a qualified adult; certificates, decals, and park rules remain separate.

Carrying a Texas OHV safety certificate on public-land rides helps prove course completion; know who needs it, what counts, and what to bring.

Direct supervision for Texas riders under 14 requires an eligible adult with an accepted OHV certificate, close oversight and a ride plan.

Texas accepts qualifying out-of-state OHV safety certificates, but riders still need to meet Texas age, supervision, decal and land-access rules.

The Texas ATV safety certificate is a rider credential, not a machine decal; know who needs it, how minors ride, and what to carry on public land.

Class C fines for no Texas OHV decal range from $25 to $500; check where the decal applies and keep it separate from park fees and permits.

A street-legal machine may skip the Texas OHV decal only with valid highway registration; plates, accessories, and trail access rules remain separate.

Texas ATV and UTV riders generally need no state OHV decal on private land, but permission, park rules, and public-land boundaries can change the answer.

Texas OHV grant lands may require a Texas decal even when privately managed; check site rules and keep permits, fees, and safety proof separate.

Many off-highway vehicles on Texas public land need a separate OHV decal, which is not a title, plate or park pass and does not guarantee trail access.