BLM Off-Road Vehicle Rules

Synopsis: These are the full set of regulations adopted by the Bureau of Land Management regarding off-road vehicles on BLM land, including OHV parks, licensing and registration. Note: These are the base regulations that serve as the underlying rules nationwide. Refer to each BLM State Office and Field Office for more specific vehicle rules.

These rules are codified under…

• Code of Federal Regulations: Title 43 Public Lands: Interior
  • Subtitle B Regulations Relating to Public Lands
    • Chapter II Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior
      • Subchapter H Recreation Programs

PART 8340—OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

Authority:43 U.S.C. 1201, 43 U.S.C. 315a, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 1281c, 16 U.S.C. 670 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 460l-6a, 16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq., and 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.

Source:44 FR 34836, June 15, 1979, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart 8340—General

§ 8340.0-1 Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to establish criteria for designating public lands as open, limited or closed to the use of off-road vehicles and for establishing controls governing the use and operation of off-road vehicles in such areas. 

§ 8340.0-2 Objectives.

The objectives of these regulations are to protect the resources of the public lands, to promote the safety of all users of those lands, and to minimize conflicts among the various uses of those lands. 

§ 8340.0-3 Authority.

The provisions of this part are issued under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); the Taylor Grazing Act (43 U.S.C. 315a); the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281c); the Act of September 15, 1960, as amended (16 U.S.C. 670 et seq.); the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (16 U.S.C. 460 l–6a); the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.) and E.O. 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands), 37 FR 2877, 3 CFR part 74, 332, as amended by E.O. 11989 42 FR 26959 (May 25, 1977). 

§ 8340.0-5 Definitions.

As used in this part: 

(a) Off-road vehicle  means any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately over land, water, or other natural terrain, excluding: 

(1) Any nonamphibious registered motorboat; 

(2) Any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle while being used for emergency purposes; 

(3) Any vehicle whose use is expressly authorized by the authorized officer, or otherwise officially approved; 

(4) Vehicles in official use; 

(5) E-bikes, as defined in paragraph (j) of this section: 

(i) While being used on roads and trails upon which mechanized, non-motorized use is allowed; 

(ii) That are being used in a manner where the motor is not exclusively propelling the e-bike for an extended period of time; and 

(iii) Where the authorized officer has expressly determined, as part of a land-use planning or implementation-level decision, that e-bikes should be treated the same as non-motorized bicycles; and 

(6) Any combat or combat support vehicle when used in times of national defense emergencies. 

(b) Public lands  means any lands the surface of which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management. 

(c) Bureau  means the Bureau of Land Management. 

(d) Official use  means use by an employee, agent, or designated representative of the Federal Government or one of its contractors, in the course of his employment, agency, or representation. 

(e) Planning system  means the approach provided in Bureau regulations, directives and manuals to formulate multiple use plans for the public lands. This approach provides for public participation within the system. 

(f) Open area  means an area where all types of vehicle use is permitted at all times, anywhere in the area subject to the operating regulations and vehicle standards set forth in subparts 8341 and 8342 of this title. 

(g) Limited area  means an area restricted at certain times, in certain areas, and/or to certain vehicular use. These restrictions may be of any type, but can generally be accommodated within the following type of categories: Numbers of vehicles; types of vehicles; time or season of vehicle use; permitted or licensed use only; use on existing roads and trails; use on designated roads and trails; and other restrictions. 

(h) Closed area  means an area where off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Use of off-road vehicles in closed areas may be allowed for certain reasons; however, such use shall be made only with the approval of the authorized officer. 

(i) Spark arrester  is any device which traps or destroys 80 percent or more of the exhaust particles to which it is subjected. 

(j) Electric bicycle  (also known as an e-bike) means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of not more than 750 watts (1 h.p.) that meets the requirements of one of the following three classes: 

(1) Class 1 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. 

(2) Class 2 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. 

(3) Class 3 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. 

[85 FR 69223, Nov. 2, 2020]

§ 8340.0-7 Penalties.

Any person who violates or fails to comply with the regulations of subparts 8341 and 8343 is subject to arrest, conviction, and punishment pursuant to appropriate laws and regulations. Such punishment may be a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not longer than 12 months, or both. 

§ 8340.0-8 Applicability.

The regulations in this part apply to all public lands, roads, and trails under administration of the Bureau. 

Subpart 8341—Conditions of Use

§ 8341.1 Regulations governing use.

(a) The operation of off-road vehicles is permitted on those areas and trails designated as open to off-road vehicle use. 

(b) Any person operating an off-road vehicle on those areas and trails designated as limited shall conform to all terms and conditions of the applicable designation orders. 

(c) The operation of off-road vehicles is prohibited on those areas and trails closed to off-road vehicle use. 

(d) It is prohibited to operate an off-road vehicle in violation of State laws and regulations relating to use, standards, registration, operation, and inspection of off-road vehicles. To the extent that State laws and regulations do not exist or are less stringent than the regulations in this part, the regulations in this part are minimum standards and are controlling. 

(e) No person may operate an off-road vehicle on public lands without a valid State operator's license or learner's permit where required by State or Federal law. 

(f) No person shall operate an off-road vehicle on public lands: 

(1) In a reckless, careless, or negligent manner; 

(2) In excess of established speed limits; 

(3) While under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or dangerous drugs; 

(4) In a manner causing, or likely to cause significant, undue damage to or disturbance of the soil, wildlife, wildlife habitat, improvements, cultural, or vegetative resources or other authorized uses of the public lands; and 

(5) During night hours, from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, without lighted headlights and taillights. 

(g) Drivers of off-road vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, saddle horses, pack trains, and animal-drawn vehicles. 

(h) Any person who operates an off-road vehicle on public lands must comply with the regulations in this part, and in § 8341.2 as applicable, while operating such vehicle on public lands. 

[44 FR 34836, June 15, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 47843, July 17, 1980]

§ 8341.2 Special rules.

(a) Notwithstanding the consultation provisions in § 8342.2(a), where the authorized officer determines that off-road vehicles are causing or will cause considerable adverse effects upon soil, vegetation, wildlife, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, historical resources, threatened or endangered species, wilderness suitability, other authorized uses, or other resources, the authorized officer shall immediately close the areas affected to the type(s) of vehicle causing the adverse effect until the adverse effects are eliminated and measures implemented to prevent recurrence. Such closures will not prevent designation in accordance with procedures in subpart 8342 of this part, but these lands shall not be opened to the type(s) of off-road vehicle to which it was closed unless the authorized officer determines that the adverse effects have been eliminated and measures implemented to prevent recurrence. 

(b) Each State director is authorized to close portions of the public lands to use by off-road vehicles, except those areas or trails which are suitable and specifically designated as open to such use pursuant to subpart 8342 of this part. 

[44 FR 34836, June 15, 1979, as amended at 53 FR 31003, Aug. 17, 1988]

Subpart 8342—Designation of Areas and Trails

§ 8342.1 Designation criteria.

The authorized officer shall designate all public lands as either open, limited, or closed to off-road vehicles. All designations shall be based on the protection of the resources of the public lands, the promotion of the safety of all the users of the public lands, and the minimization of conflicts among various uses of the public lands; and in accordance with the following criteria: 

(a) Areas and trails shall be located to minimize damage to soil, watershed, vegetation, air, or other resources of the public lands, and to prevent impairment of wilderness suitability. 

(b) Areas and trails shall be located to minimize harassment of wildlife or significant disruption of wildlife habitats. Special attention will be given to protect endangered or threatened species and their habitats. 

(c) Areas and trails shall be located to minimize conflicts between off-road vehicle use and other existing or proposed recreational uses of the same or neighboring public lands, and to ensure the compatibility of such uses with existing conditions in populated areas, taking into account noise and other factors. 

(d) Areas and trails shall not be located in officially designated wilderness areas or primitive areas. Areas and trails shall be located in natural areas only if the authorized officer determines that off-road vehicle use in such locations will not adversely affect their natural, esthetic, scenic, or other values for which such areas are established. 

§ 8342.2 Designation procedures.

(a) Public participation.  The designation and redesignation of trails is accomplished through the resource management planning process described in part 1600 of this title. Current and potential impacts of specific vehicle types on all resources and uses in the planning area shall be considered in the process of preparing resource management plans, plan revisions, or plan amendments. Prior to making designations or redesignations, the authorized officer shall consult with interested user groups, Federal, State, county and local agencies, local landowners, and other parties in a manner that provides an opportunity for the public to express itself and have its views given consideration. 

(b) Designation.  The approval of a resource management plan, plan revision, or plan amendment constitutes formal designation of off-road vehicle use areas. Public notice of designation or redesignation shall be provided through the publication of the notice required by § 1610.5–1(b) of this title. Copies of such notice shall be available to the public in local Bureau offices. 

(c) Identification of designated areas and trails.  The authorized officer shall, after designation, take action by marking and other appropriate measures to identify designated areas and trails so that the public will be aware of locations and limitations applicable thereto. The authorized officer shall make appropriate informational material, including maps, available for public review. 

(d) E-bikes. 

(1) Authorized officers may allow, as part of a land-use planning or implementation-level decision, e-bikes, or certain classes of e-bikes, whose motorized features are not being used exclusively to propel the e-bike for an extended period of time on roads and trails upon which mechanized, non-motorized use is allowed; and 

(2) If the authorized officer allows e-bikes in accordance with this paragraph (d), an e-bike user shall be afforded all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all of the duties, of a user of a non-motorized bicycle. 

[53 FR 31003, Aug. 17, 1988, as amended at 85 FR 69223, Nov. 2, 2020]

§ 8342.3 Designation changes.

Monitoring use.   The authorized officer shall monitor effects of the use of off-road vehicles. On the basis of information so obtained, and whenever the authorized officer deems it necessary to carry out the objectives of this part, designations may be amended, revised, revoked, or other actions taken pursuant to the regulations in this part. 

Subpart 8343—Vehicle Operations

§ 8343.1 Standards.

(a) No off-road vehicle may be operated on public lands unless equipped with brakes in good working condition. 

(b) No off-road vehicle equipped with a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device, or producing excessive noise exceeding Environmental Protection Agency standards, when established, may be operated on public lands. 

(c) By posting appropriate signs or by marking a map which shall be available for public inspection at local Bureau offices, the authorized officer may indicate those public lands upon which no off-road vehicle may be operated unless equipped with a properly installed spark arrester. The spark arrester must meet either the U.S. Department of Agriculture—Forest Service Standard 5100–1a, or the 80-percent efficiency level standard when determined by the appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practices J335 or J350. These standards include, among others, the requirements that: 

(1) The spark arrester shall have an efficiency to retain or destroy at least 80 percent of carbon particles for all flow rates, and 

(2) the spark arrester has been warranted by its manufacturer as meeting this efficiency requirement for at least 1,000 hours subject to normal use, with maintenance and mounting in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation. A spark arrester is not required when an off-road vehicle is being operated in an area which has 3 or more inches of snow on the ground. 

(d) Vehicles operating during night hours, from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, shall comply with the following: 

(1) Headlights shall be of sufficient power to illuminate an object at 300 feet at night under normal, clear atmospheric conditions. Two- or three-wheeled vehicles or single-tracked vehicles will have a minimum of one headlight. Vehicles having four or more wheels or more than a single track will have a minimum of two headlights, except double tracked snowmachines with a maximum capacity of two people may have only one headlight. 

(2) Red taillights, capable of being seen at a distance of 500 feet from the rear at night under normal, clear atmospheric conditions, are required on vehicles in the same numbers as headlights. 

Subpart 8344—Permits

§ 8344.1 Permit requirements.

Permits are required for certain types of ORV use and shall be issued in accordance with the special recreation permit procedures under part 2930 of this chapter. 

[44 FR 34836, June 15, 1979, as amended at 67 FR 61745, Oct. 1, 2002]