100% Iowa‐Approved OHV/ORV Safety Course

Iowa-Approved ORV Course

The Iowa Offroad Handbook is approved and accepted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

What’s Included in an Approved Course

A wide variety of topics are included in this Iowa course.

• The basics of safe ORV operation
• Responsibilities of off-road vehicle operators to others and the environment
• General information on preparing for the unexpected

The educational content in this course can help you enjoy off-roading safely and with less impact on the environment.

Common Terminology

Terms for off-road vehicles vary from state to state. These common acronyms are used to refer to vehicles.

ATV

All-Terrain Vehicle. A type of OHV with low-pressure, knobby tires designed for riding on unpaved surfaces.

OHM

Off-Highway Motorcycle. A category of motorcycles equipped for certain off-road sports. These motorcycles may or may not be “street-legal.”

OHV

Off-Highway Vehicle. A two-, three-, or four-wheeled vehicle that has a motor and is designed for riding on unpaved surfaces. OHVs are also commonly known as ORVs.

UTV

Utility Terrain Vehicle. A type of OHV where the driver and a passenger can sit side-by-side in the vehicle. They are most commonly known as UTVs (Utility Terrain Vehicle, Utility Task Vehicle, or just Utility Vehicle) or Side-by-Side Vehicles. UTVs are not designed for use on paved surfaces.