BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC.
www.sharetrails.org

Date: August 22, 2003

California Department of Motor Vehicles Rescinds Duals Sport Conversion Ban Through January 2004

On July 23rd, California DMV surprised California motorcyclists with a sudden ban on the conversion of Off-Highway motorcycles to street legal status. Previously the owner- conversion of Green Sticker motorcycles was allowed as long as the owner complied with the equipment requirements outlined for conversion by California Highway Patrol Bulletin 888.

As soon as the BlueRibbon Coalition learned of the new change in policy, we contacted DMV management and began working, along with the American Motorcyclist Association, to learn why the policy was changed, and what could be done about it. A coalition was quickly formed including the AMA, all of the California AMA Districts, CORVA, and ORBA, and a joint letter to California Governor Gray Davis, along with the Director’s of DMV and the California Air Resources Board, was signed and hand delivered to Governor Davis’ office.

In response to the coalition, on Friday, August 22, 2003 DMV issued a new memo suspending the conversion ban until 1-31-04. Specifically, the new policy is:

03 and 04 Green Sticker motorcycles purchased by 12-31-03 are eligible for conversion following the procedures outlined in CHP Bulletin 888 and DMV registration manual sections 30.335 and 30.340
The conversion process must be started by 1-31-04
All 02 and earlier model year motorcycles with Green Sticker registration are eligible for conversion
Existing owner conversions will be allowed to renew registration indefinitely

“We are pleased that DMV and ARB quickly responded to the concerns of the California motorcycling community, and has suspended the conversion ban for the time being. As motorcyclists know, these conversion are done to facilitate connecting trails and riding areas that are often separated by sections of public road that require street legal status due to increasing restriction on off-highway vehicles” commented Blue Ribbon Coalition Public Lands Director Bill Dart.

While this is only a temporary solution, the coalition will be exploring a long-term solution.

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The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public lands. It represents over 1,100 organizations and businesses with approximately 650,000 members.