Vehicle Registration Exemptions - Arizona

Exempt vehicles

• Farm tractor.
• A trailer used solely in the operation of a farm for transporting the unprocessed fiber or forage products of a farm.
• Any implement of husbandry designed primarily for or used in agricultural operations and only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.
• A road roller or road machinery, including a power sweeper, that is temporarily operating or moved on the highway.
• An owner permitted to operate a vehicle under special provisions relating to lienholders, manufacturers, dealers and nonresidents.
• Motorized or nonmotorized equipment designed primarily for and used in mining operations and only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.
• A motor vehicle that is being towed by a tow truck that has been registered and for which a permit has been obtained pursuant to section 28-1108.
• A golf cart used in the operation of a golf course or only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.
• Wheeled equipment. For the purposes of this paragraph, “wheeled equipment” means:
  • A compressor.
  • A forklift or hay squeeze machine designed to load hay in an off-road situation.
  • A portable cement mixer.
  • A single axle tow dolly.
  • A tar pot.
  • A water trailer used for watering livestock or for agricultural or domestic purposes.
  • A welder.
  • Any other similar item designed and used primarily for construction or building trade purposes.
• An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or an off-road recreational motor vehicle operating on a dirt road in an unincorporated area of Arizona. For the purposes of this paragraph, “dirt road” means an unpaved or ungraveled road that is not maintained by this state or a city, town or county of this state.
• A person operating an off-highway vehicle participating in an off-highway vehicle special event defined in section 28-1171.
• An all-terrain vehicle or an off-highway vehicle as defined in section 28-1171 that is only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.

A vehicle owned by a nonresident

A certificate of title may be issued without registration of the vehicle if the applicant is a nonresident whose vehicle is not subject to registration in Arizona.

Off-highway vehicles

A “off-highway vehicle” is defined as a motorized vehicle operated primarily off highways and designed, modified or purpose-built mainly for recreational nonhighway all-terrain travel.

It includes tracked or wheeled vehicles, utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, four-wheel drive vehicles, dune buggies, sand rail, amphibious vehicles, ground effects or air cushion vehicles and any other means of land transportation deriving motive power from a source other than muscle or wind.

A certificate of title may be issued for these vehicles without requiring registration.

For lawful Arizona off-highway operation, the owner or operator of a qualifying all-terrain vehicle, off-highway vehicle, or off-road recreational motor vehicle must apply for an off-highway vehicle user indicia as prescribed under A.R.S. 28-1177.

Citations

• A.R.S. 28-2153 Registration requirement; exceptions; assessment; violation; classification
• A.R.S. 28-2053 Certificate of title without registration
• A.R.S. 28-2061 All-terrain vehicles; off-highway vehicles; off-road recreational motor vehicles; certificates of title; exemption.
• A.A.C. R17-4-312 Off-highway vehicle user indicia.
• A.R.S. 28-1177 Off- highway vehicle user fee; indicia; registration