Originally published December 21, 2012. Updated with current context.
A major change for side-by-side owners arrived at the Imperial Sand Dunes on January 1, 2013, when California’s new recreational off-highway vehicle laws took effect.
California Assembly Bill 1595 established requirements specifically for vehicles legally classified as recreational off-highway vehicles, or ROVs. These vehicles are more commonly called UTVs or side-by-sides.
The legislation required operators and passengers in qualifying ROVs to wear helmets and use the vehicle’s occupant restraints. Because the law took effect immediately after the 2012 New Year’s holiday, the Bureau of Land Management warned visitors heading to Glamis, Gordon’s Well and Buttercup to prepare for the new rules.
What California AB 1595 Changed
AB 1595 was signed into law in July 2012 and took effect on January 1, 2013. It created California’s legal definition of a recreational off-highway vehicle and added several ROV-specific provisions to the California Vehicle Code.
The principal requirements included:
- The operator and every passenger must wear a safety helmet meeting the standards established for motorcycles.
- The operator and passengers must wear properly fastened seatbelts, shoulder belts or safety harnesses while the vehicle is moving.
- An operator must be at least 16 years old or be directly supervised inside the vehicle by a parent, guardian or authorized adult.
- Passengers must meet California’s seating, restraint and occupant-handhold requirements.
The helmet requirement was later limited to operation on public lands. It therefore continues to apply to vehicles legally classified as ROVs at the federally managed Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
Later Amendments Changed Some Passenger Rules
The original version of the legislation included a requirement that passengers be able to place both feet flat on the floorboard. That provision generated concern among families with younger passengers and was removed through subsequent legislation.
California also revised the rules governing added seating. For 2014-and-newer ROVs, passengers generally must use a seating position designed and provided by the vehicle manufacturer. Added seats may be used in certain 2013-and-earlier vehicles when the occupant remains fully contained within the rollover-protection structure.
Our original report on California AB 1595 and recreational off-highway vehicles provides more background on the legislation and its original provisions.
The Rules Still Apply at Glamis
The Bureau of Land Management continues to list helmets and occupant restraints among its rules for qualifying ROVs at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area:
- A DOT-compliant helmet is required for the operator and passengers.
- A seatbelt, shoulder belt or safety harness must be worn while the vehicle is moving.
- Operators younger than 16 must be directly supervised inside the vehicle by an authorized adult.
- Passengers must be seated properly and satisfy the applicable handhold requirements.
Visitors should review the current Imperial Sand Dunes rules and regulations before each trip because permit requirements, closures and other visitor information can change.
Why California’s Definition of an ROV Matters
California’s statutory ROV definition historically included an engine-displacement limit of 1,000cc. That boundary has become increasingly important as vehicles such as the 1,997cc Polaris RZR Pro R have entered the market.
A vehicle marketed as a UTV or side-by-side does not necessarily meet California’s legal definition of an ROV. Our feature explaining why the original 1,000cc UTV limit still matters examines how this distinction affects helmet requirements, vehicle classifications and racing.
Exploring the Imperial Sand Dunes
The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area includes Glamis north of Highway 78 and the Gordon’s Well and Buttercup riding areas near Interstate 8. New Year’s remains one of the busiest periods of the dune season, making preparation and responsible vehicle operation especially important.
If you are planning a visit, our guide to destination rides in Glamis includes popular landmarks and several less-traveled places to explore throughout the dune system.
This article preserves UTVGuide.net’s contemporary coverage of the California ROV law taking effect at the Imperial Sand Dunes in January 2013. It has been updated to remove the expired 2012 safety-class schedule and explain subsequent changes to the law.
