California Code of Regulations
Title 13 - Motor Vehicles
Division 3 - Air Resources Board
Chapter 9 - Off-Road Vehicles and Engines Pollution Control Devices
Article 3 - Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles and Engines
Section 2411 - Definitions

Universal Citation: 13 CA Code of Regs 2411

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) The definitions in Section 1900(b), Chapter 1, Division 3, Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, apply with the following additions:

(1) "All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)" means any off-highway motor vehicle 50 inches (1270 mm) or less in overall width that has all of the following features and characteristics: designed to travel on four or more low pressure tires, having a single seat designed to be straddled by the operator or a single seat designed to be straddled by the operator and a seat for no more than one passenger, having handlebars for steering control, and is powered by an internal combustion engine. Width shall be exclusive of accessories and optional equipment. A golf cart, off-road sport vehicle, off-road utility vehicle, or sand car is not, for purposes of this regulation, to be classified as an all-terrain vehicle.

(2) "ARB Enforcement Officer" means any employee of the Air Resources Board so designated in writing by the Executive Officer of the Air Resources Board or by the Executive Officer's designee.

(3) "Assembly-Line Tests" are those tests or inspections which are performed on or at the end of the assembly-line.

(4) "Confirmatory testing" means an ARB directed follow-up emissions test and inspection of the test engine or test vehicle that had been used by the manufacturer to obtain test data for submittal with the certification application. The emissions tests can be conducted at ARB or contracted-out facilities or at the manufacturer's facility.

(5) "Crankcase Emissions" means airborne substances emitted into the atmosphere from any portion of the engine crankcase ventilation or lubrication system.

(6) "Emission Control System" includes any component, group of components, or engine modification which controls or causes the reduction of substances emitted from an engine.

(7) "End of Assembly-Line" is defined as that place where the final inspection test or quality-audit test is performed by the manufacturer.

(8) "Exhaust Emissions" means substances emitted into the atmosphere from any opening downstream from the exhaust port of an engine.

(9) "Final Calendar Quarter Production" is defined as the calendar quarter in which the production of an engine family ends.

(10) "Fuel System" means the combination of any of the following components: fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, oil injection metering system, carburetor or fuel injection components, evaporative controls and all fuel system vents.

(11) "Golf Cart" means a vehicle used to convey equipment and no more than two persons, including the driver, to play the game of golf in an area designated as a golf course. Golf carts are designed to have an unladen weight of less than 1,300 pounds and carry not more than 100 pounds, excluding passengers, accessories and optional equipment. A golf cart is not used for grounds keeping or maintenance purposes.

(12) "Manufacturer" means the engine or vehicle manufacturer that applies to have the vehicle or engine certified.

(13) "Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Engines" or "Engines" are identified as: two-stroke or four-stroke, air-cooled, liquid-cooled, gasoline, diesel, or alternate fuel powered engines or electric motors that are designed for powering off-road recreational vehicles and engines included in the following: off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road sport vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, sand cars, and golf carts. All engines and equipment that fall within the scope of the preemption of Section 209(e)(1)(A) of the Federal Clean Air Act, as amended, and as defined by regulation of the Environmental Protection Agency, are specifically not included within this category.

(14) "Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area" is defined as a public land area in which the riding of off-highway recreational vehicles is allowed. These areas are managed by public land agencies, such as the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Forest Service, cities, counties, and other jurisdictions.

(15) "Off-Road Equipment and Vehicle" means any non-stationary device, powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor, used primarily off the highways, to propel, move, or draw persons or property including any device propelled, moved, or drawn exclusively by human power, and used in, but not limited to the following applications: Marine Vessels, Construction/Farm Equipment, Locomotives, Utility engines and Lawn and Garden Equipment, Off-Road Motorcycles, and Off-Highway Vehicles.

(16) "Off-Road Motorcycle" means any two- or three-wheeled vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and weighing less than 1,499 pounds. An off-road motorcycle is primarily designed for use off highways. These vehicles are mainly used for recreational riding on dirt trails but are not limited to this purpose.

(17) "Off-Road Sport Vehicle" means any off-highway motor vehicle that has all of the following features and characteristics: designed to travel on four wheels, having bench or bucket seating for one or more persons, having a steering wheel for steering control, designed for operation over rough terrain, having a rear payload not exceeding 600 pounds, having an internal combustion engine with a displacement less than or equal to one liter, and is capable of speeds 25 miles per hour or more. Vehicles otherwise meeting the definition for sand cars but powered by an engine with a displacement less than or equal to one liter are considered off-road sport vehicles.

(18) "Off-Road Utility Vehicle" means any off-highway motor vehicle that has all of the following features and characteristics: designed to travel on four or more wheels, having bench or bucket seating for two or more persons, having a steering wheel for steering control, designed for operation over rough terrain, having an internal combustion engine with a displacement less than or equal to one liter, having a maximum brake power less than or equal to 30 kilowatts, capable of speeds 25 miles per hour or more, and having either 1) a rear payload of 350 pounds or more, or 2) seating for six or more passengers.

(19) "Sand Car" means any off-highway motor vehicle that has all of the following features and characteristics: designed to travel on four wheels, having bench or bucket seating for one or more persons, having a steering wheel for steering control, designed primarily for operation over sand dunes, and is powered by an internal combustion engine with a displacement greater than one liter. Vehicles otherwise meeting the criteria in the previous sentence that are powered by an engine with a displacement less than or equal to one liter are considered off-road sport vehicles.

(20) "Scheduled Maintenance" means any adjustment, repair, removal, disassembly, cleaning, or replacement of components or systems required by the manufacturer which is performed on a periodic basis to prevent part failure or equipment or engine malfunction, or anticipated as necessary to correct an overt indication of malfunction or failure for which periodic maintenance is not appropriate.

(21) "Ultimate Purchaser" means the first person who in good faith purchases or leases a new engine, vehicle, or piece of equipment for purposes other than resale.

(22) "Unscheduled Maintenance" means any inspection, adjustment, repair, removal, disassembly, cleaning, or replacement of components or systems which is performed to correct or diagnose a part failure which was not anticipated.

(23) "Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)" means an alpha numeric code which has been permanently assigned by the manufacturer to a vehicle. The VIN is unique to each vehicle and may contain information deemed necessary by governing agencies. If a manufacturer cannot obtain a federal VIN from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for their vehicles, an alternative VIN approved by the Executive Officer of the Air Resources Board may be used. Unless otherwise noted, the VIN and alternate VIN will follow formats specified in the Code of Federal Regulations 49, Chapter V, Parts 565, 566, and 571, which are incorporated herein by reference.

(24) "Zero Emission Off-Road Vehicle" means any vehicle which produces zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant under any and all possible operational modes. Zero emission off-road vehicles shall have performance characteristics that are similar to an internal combustion engine off-highway recreational vehicle of comparable size and intended application, and shall not include golf carts, bicycles, or children's toys.

1. New section filed 1-26-95; operative 1-26-95 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 95, No. 4). Note: Under section 209(e)(2) of the Federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7543(e)(2)), California is required to receive authorization from the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) prior to enforcing its regulations regarding new off-road vehicles and engines. Accordingly, the Air Resources Board will not seek to enforce the off-highway recreational vehicle regulations until such time as it receives authorization from the U.S. EPA.
2. U.S. EPA granted California authorization on December 23, 1996 (61 Fed.Reg. 69093, December 31, 1996).
3. Repealer of subsection (a)(19) and subsection renumbering filed 10-19-99; operative 11-18-99 (Register 99, No. 43).
4. Amendment filed 12-8-99; operative 1-7-2000 (Register 99, No. 50).
5. Amendment of subsections (a)(1) and (a)(13), new subsections (a)(17)-(19) and subsection renumbering filed 7-16-2007; operative 8-15-2007 (Register 2007, No. 29).
6. Amendment of subsection (a)(24) filed 11-26-2019; operative 1-1-2020 (Register 2019, No. 48).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 39600, 39601, 43013, 43018, 43101 and 43107, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 43013, 43018, 43101 and 43107, Health and Safety Code.

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