Off-Road License Plate Requirements

1. Why Laws Require an ATV/UTV License Plate

Many states now require off-road vehicles to display a license plate for:

  • Identification

  • Safety

  • Trail regulation

  • Law enforcement visibility

Because manufacturers rarely provide a place to mount the plate, aftermarket brackets are necessary.

2. Utah OHV License Plate Requirements

Utah is one of the strictest states for OHV registration.

To operate on public land, your machine must have:

  • A rear-mounted license plate

  • Visible from behind

  • Firmly attached (not zip-tied or flapping)

  • Readable at a distance

  • Proper registration tags/stickers

No drilling locations are provided on machines like the Foreman, Raptor, or Sportsman which is why direct-fit brackets exist.

3. What Counts as a Legal Mount?

A compliant mount must be:

  • Securely fastened to the machine

  •  visible

  • Able to withstand off-road conditions

  • Sized for the state-issued plate

  • Non-obstructive to lights or indicators

A mount that falls off or makes the plate unreadable can lead to warnings or fines.

4. Why Zip-Ties or Tape Don’t Meet the Requirement

They fail because:

  • They break under vibration

  • Plates bend or fly off

  • They obstruct racks or tail lights

  • Rangers may consider them “improperly mounted”

A proper aluminum bracket ensures compliance with no guesswork.

5. Differences by State (General Overview)

While each state varies, most follow similar rules:

Common Requirements Across States:

  • Rear plate must be visible

  • Plate must be secure

  • Plate must be standard size (4x7 for ATVs)

  • Some states require illumination at night

  • Some require registration stickers near the plate

States with notable regulations:

  • Utah: Strict plate display requirement

  • Arizona: Plate + OHV sticker

  • Colorado: OHV sticker required; plate for street-legal conversions

  • Idaho: IDPR sticker + rear plate depending on usage

  • Nevada: Rear plate + OHV tag for most areas

6. How Elite Engineering Helps You Stay Compliant

Each of our brackets is engineered to meet or exceed plate mounting laws:

  • Direct-fit design → No drilling into plastics

  • Aluminum construction → Resists vibration, mud, and pressure washing

  • Anodized finish → Long-lasting durability

  • Perfect rear placement → Ensures visibility and compliance

  • Stainless hardware → Safe, secure installation

If a ranger checks your machine, you’re covered.

7. Choosing the Correct Mount

We design machine-specific brackets for:

  • Honda Foreman 500/520

  • Yamaha Raptor 700

  • Yamaha YFZ450R

  • Polaris Sportsman 400–570
    …and more models released regularly.

If your machine isn’t listed yet, reach out, we can usually add it.

8. Penalties for Not Displaying a Plate

Penalties vary by state, but typically include:

  • Warnings

  • Fines

  • Loss of trail access

  • Requirement to return with proper mounting

Most people only need to get fined once before buying a proper bracket. 

9. Summary: Stay Legal. Stay Clean. Stay Elite.

A simple bracket solves all compliance issues and keeps your machine looking professional. Elite Engineering brackets are engineered for the cleanest fit, toughest durability, and the most seamless OEM look possible.