New Law May Require Special License for Off-Roaders!

California is looking into the possibility of passing a new law which among other things will further regulate the use of off-road vehicles on public land, and will require such users to have a special license. I am sure the rest of the country is thinking, "Well of course they will do that in the Peoples Republic of California!" But as goes California with automotive regulations (emissions levels anyone?), so goes the rest of the country usually.

   I am not sure I know what sort of test you will have to pass to get this license? Will you have to parallel park as you rock crawl in first gear? Imagine all the dune buggies and lifted Jeep CJs at the new and improved DMV off-road adventure park/test. They will have to get the same off-road simulating rocks that Land Rover dealers all seem to have in their front parking lot.

Here is a little bit of information on the possible law: It has been floating around appropriations committees for a while but has gained momentum lately with all the media concern about the environment. Let us know what you think!

MN Laws 2006 - Chapter 128 [Omnibus Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Economic Development and Housing Appropriations Bill]
This law increases the restrictions on the use of off-highway vehicles, which include off-highway motorcycles, off-road vehicles (commonly known as 4x4s), and all-terrain vehicles. It requires an operator certificate for operation of off-highway vehicles on public lands. It also provides civil citation authority for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to enforce off-highway vehicle laws, limits off-highway vehicle operation on state lands to designated routes and expands the purposes for which money in dedicated off-highway vehicle accounts can be spent to include more enforcement, restitution for property damage, and increased grants-in-aid for local safety and maintenance programs.    

It will never happen, at least not in CA...  
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'99 Ranger LT 4x4

www.dixonbrosracing.com

Honestly, with all the yahoos I've seen out in the desert, I can't say I totally disagree with the idea. There are a lot of morons out there. But I'm not crazy about the idea of Big Brother legislating our recreational activities. But there's a difference between a use permit and a license. Would this simply be an extra designation on a driver's license, like "Class C" or "M1" is now?  

I stand by what I said... never gonna happen. Good idea, bad idea, don't matter... won't happen in CA.  
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'99 Ranger LT 4x4

www.dixonbrosracing.com