Key:orv
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 orv
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It is generally characterized by having large tires with deep, open treads, a flexible suspension, or even caterpillar tracks. 
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| Group: restrictions |
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| Status: in use |
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ORV is the abbreviation for Off-road vehicle, a legally-recognized term by many State governments within the United States for high-ground clearance usually designed for low-speed operation over a wide variety of terrain including unimproved road and trail surfaces where on-highway passenger cars would not be advisable to operate.
History
The United States Forest Service set a precedent in 2005 with issuance of the new regulation, the "Travel Management Rule", now part of the Code of Federal Regulations, directing National Forests to restrict off-roading to only designated travel routes such as existing roads or trails. This new rule was issued in part to address and limit the potential risk for soil erosion from motor vehicle use causing siltation of streams and other aquatic ecosystems. Many Forest track roads within State forest or National Forest areas are unsurfaced, either dirt road or gravel road and lacking a hard road surface. The uncovered native soil or lightly gravelled surface of the travel way can function as a erosion surface with sheet erosion, rill or gully erosion as sediment transport carrying away large amounts of soil without erosion control, a significant risk for roads located on highly erodible land. Previous to the designation requirement, some National Forests allowed overland travel of motor vehicles off established roads and trails. This overlanding often created dense networks of interlacing desire paths, perpetuated continued use and degradation of historic logging, mining, or livestock trails often substandard from current road design best practices, and contributed to continuously lengthening and broadening of the Forest Transportation System from user-created routes despite best efforts of government agency personnel to limit travel by road obliteration and blocking. Continual surveys were required to identify and mitigate resource damage from public use of substandard travel routes. Restriction of off-highway vehicles to designated routes allowed more effective implementation of erosion control features such as waterbars, while also encouraging the development of trail clubs consisting of motor vehicle users to adopt and steward designated trail systems. The United States Forest Service continues to assess the Forest Transportation System through the Travel management process established by the Travel Management Rule and periodically issues new versions of the Motor Vehicle Use Map for individual National Forests. Many other Federal and State agencies subsequently followed the United States Forest Service in a similar pattern by designation and regulation of off-highway vehicle use.
ORV Regulation by State Agencies
State agencies such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources regulate off-road vehicle use on roads and trails open to the public. Often times, Motor vehicle registration is required, vehicle licence fees collected, and license stickers or vehicle registration plates are issued for affixing to the licensed vehicle. Park Rangers or other Law enforcement officers such as Conservation officers will often request a license inspection to ensure compliance with laws permitting licensed off-road vehicles on public lands.
"ORV" or "OHV"?
In the United States, government agencies charged with administering public land such as the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management substitute the term "Off-Highway Vehicle", abbreviated as "OHV." This abbreviation is in use within OpenStreetMap as ohv=*. This key may be more desirable than orv=* when mapping federally-managed motorized trail systems and roads that allow use of motorized vehicles other than highway motor vehicle.
Below is a table of US States and the recognized terms in use
| State | Term | Abbreviation | Notes | Sign |
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Classification and Width Restrictions
Rather than regulate off-road vehicles by class, width=* is often selected by various regulation schemes as the factor for limiting access to certain trails or roads.
Motorcycles and E-Bikes <24" (0.9144m) Wide
Two-wheeled motor vehicles, including motorcycles or electric bicycles are usually suitable for use on travelways 24" (0.9144 m) or less. This width value may be specified by regulatory agencies rather than the specific type of vehicle permitted. Motorcyles for use off-road are known as Off-road motorcycles, and in OpenStreetMap the page Dirt bike has more details on tagging for these vehicles. The term "Dirt Bike" in OSM encompasses "Dual Sport" motorcycles which are motorcycles equipped with head lights, brake lights, turn signals, and other requirements for use on higher-speed public motorways. as well that suitable for off-road use. (dual sport) and specified using the motorcycle:type=offroad. When such a low width restriction is specified, these routes are best classified using the highway=path rather than highway=track as often width-restrictors and trail maintenance only extends to this narrow width to permit only these types of vehicles and promote a high quality of user-experience, usually those with a thrill-seeking attitude.
ATVs and other vehicles <50" (1.27m) Wide
Three- and four-wheel personal motor vehicles that are narrower than a typical passenger car typically only seat one user or potentially more behind the operator. Some off-road vehicle trails specified for vehicles meeting this width requirement and general description are best tagged with the atv=*, referring to All-terrain vehicle, also known as a quad bike, trike (in three-wheeled form, Motorized tricycle). Trails limited to a motor vehicle width that permits these types of vehicles are generally best identified by highway=track given their greater width and use for motor vehicles.
Off-road vehicles <62" to <72" (1.8288m) Wide
Many recreational off-highway vehicles are now available that meet the classification of Side-by-side (vehicle) referring to a wider configuration that allows seating of the passenger alongside the driver. Trails specified for this width may also permit the ever popular and classic Jeep CJ, in standard form only 59" (1.499m) wide. There is no standard width for these trails across all National Forests. Depending on the specific National Forest, trails with this designation can be limited to <62", <65", or <72". The Bureau of Land Management may use a different width. It's recommended that routes be specified by highway=track.
See also
atv=*