Ask the Editors: What the heck is a green sticker?
Dear ATVC:
I was browsing eBay for a used ATV and noticed many claim to be “green sticker” compliant. What’s that mean?
It’s a safe bet you live in a state that is not California. In Cali All motor vehicles are required to display one of the two stickers (either green or red).
What’s the difference? Red stickers are distributed to 2003 model year and newer that are not certified to California EPA emission standards. Red stickers are issued to vehicles that can access California riding areas seasonally only. In other words, some vehicles do not meet emission standards applicable for California OHV riding areas right from the factory and are thus restricted to use in limited areas/ certain times of the year.
All others are issued green stickers. In short, think of either sticker as proof of registration.
This all came about when representatives formed the California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division of California State Parks and Recreation. This Division is actually financed by the “Green Sticker” license fee that is included in the highway/road taxes that riders pay when they buy fuel that is used when driving their vehicles off of paved highways. California Air Resources Board (ARB) established enactment to limit the use of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) that do not meet emission standards applicable for California OHV riding areas.
