A convenient way of connecting trails, running errands, or exploring back country roads is using your dirt bike. However, Colorado requires a that a vehicle be “licensed” on most county, state and local routes.
Converting your dirt bike to “Street Legal”, and obtaining registration and a title is easier than you thought!
Here we will discuss the current methods and stipulations of doing so:
PAPERWORK: The forms required to begin your process can be found at: https://dmv.colorado.gov/forms-vehicles
You will need:
DR 2686: Certification of Equipment Compliance for Motorcycles https://dmv.colorado.gov/sites/dmv/files/DR2686.pdf
DR 2444: State of Colorado Statement of Fact https://dmv.colorado.gov/sites/dmv/files/DR2444.pdf
DR2395: Application for Title and/or Registration https://dmv.colorado.gov/sites/dmv/files/DR2395_0.pdf
Proof of Ownership: Either a completed bill of sale or your current Colorado Parks and Wildlife Motorcycle (OHV) Registration Card. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Bill%20of%20Sale.pdf
INSPECTION: You will need to contact your local Colorado State Patrol Office to schedule an in-person VIN and Compliance Inspection. You are required to trailer/truck bed/moto-hitch your motorcycle(s) to their location. The Cost is $50.00 per motorcycle. https://csp.colorado.gov/get-a-vin-inspection
The Trooper will need to see your VIN, so be prepared to unstrap and turn your handlebars to a direction allowing easy visibility to your vehicles identification number. Also, be prepared to start your motorcycle if not equipped with a battery for indication of your lamps circuit.
HEADLAMPS: Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of sections 42-4-202 and 42-4-204 to 42-4-231 and part three of this article where applicable thereto. (LED Headlights/headlamps are a great way to alleviate stress on a factory stator.)
TAIL LAMPS AND REFLECTORS: Equipped with one tail lamp mounted on rear shall emit red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet. Height measured not more than seventy-two inches nor less than twenty inches. Every motorcycle shall carry at least one reflector meeting the requirements of this section (5). (Again, an aftermarket tail-light assemble that is LED will alleviate stress on a factory stator.)
STOP LAMPS: All motorcycles manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1958 shall be equipped with at least one stop light meeting the requirements of this section. (A brake light switch is a simple installation. You can use a hydraulic or manual switch attached to your rear brakes master cylinder.)
BRAKES: Equipped with brakes to control the movement and to stop and hold a vehicle. One wheel shall be equipped with brakes.
HORNS: Equipped with a horn in good working condition with an audible sound of two hundred feet. (The days of a squeezy “clown horn” are behind us. Luckily many manufactures now offer USB rechargeable horns that require no wiring.)
MIRRORS: Equipped with a mirror free of obstruction that views a distance of two hundred feet to the rear.
RESTRICTIONS ON TIRE EQUIPMENT: Must be marked DOT on-road use.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OR MODIFICATIONS: All original safety equipment must be in proper working condition. (If your motorcycle is equipped with something, it must work. Example, if you have turn indicators/blinkers installed on your bike, they must function.)
Once the officer/trooper has signed off on your DR2686, he will print a DR2704 State of Colorado Certified VIN Inspection C.R.S. 42-5-202. Also be prepared for your drivers license to be run through dispatch.
TITLING/REGISTRATION: The next step is to take your completed paperwork to the DMV. https://dmv.colorado.gov/county-motor-vehicle-offices
You will need your DR2686 (Certification of equipment compliance two pages), DR2704 (Certified VIN inspection), DR2444 (statement of odometer), completed DR2395 (Application for Title and/or Registration), your current and valid drivers license, proof of current insurance for the motorcycle you intend on registering), and your proof of ownership (bill of sale or CPW OHV registration card).
CPW OHV PERMIT: Once your motorcycle is plated, you can now obtain a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Off-Highway Vehicle Permit. More information can be found here: https://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/RegistrationsOHV.aspx
