Part ofOff-Highway Vehicles →

AB 1613CALIFORNIASession 20252026

High Impact

California AB 1613 requires off-highway vehicle operators to complete safety course and carry operator cards by 2029

Original title: Vehicles: off-highway motor vehicle safety.

August 13, 2026

Off-Highway Vehicles Public Safety Recreation State Mandates Education Vehicles off-highwaymotorvehiclesafety

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The Frame

What this does

This bill changes the legal requirements for operating off-highway vehicles in California, imposing new training, certification, and financial obligations on riders while creating a state-mandated enforcement program for local law enforcement.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Off-highway motor vehicle operators

Operators must complete a safety course, pay a fee, and carry an operator card to legally operate vehicles.

Local law enforcement agencies

Agencies are tasked with enforcing the new operator card requirements as part of a state-mandated local program.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

Starting July 1, 2029, California will require all operators to possess a state-issued safety and stewardship operator card. The bill mandates the creation of a new safety course, sets a $25 initial fee, and establishes fines of $100, $250, or $500 for non-compliance.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to carry my operator card while riding?

Yes, starting July 1, 2029, you must possess an operator card or proof of an approved reciprocal program and present it to law enforcement upon request.

Can police stop me just to check if I have my card?

No, the bill explicitly prohibits law enforcement from stopping an for the sole purpose of checking for compliance with the card requirement.

What happens if I am caught without a card?

Violations are considered s punishable by a fine of $100, $250, or $500, and you will be required to complete the safety course.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Transition to Mandatory Safety Certification

The bill marks a significant shift from voluntary or loosely regulated off-highway vehicle operation to a mandatory, state-certified operator card system.

Division of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation

Connected Entities

organizationDivision of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation“Responsible for developing and implementing the safety course and issuing operat”Map →

otherOff-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund“Repository for course fees collected under the program.”Map →

organizationDepartment of Parks and Recreation“Collaborates with the division to convene the stakeholder group.”Map →

organizationOff-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission“Receives program reports regarding course efficacy.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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