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The Madera County Sheriff’s Department offers a year
round Off-Highway Enforcement Team specializing in OHV law
enforcement, search and rescue, medical assistance, and public
education throughout Madera County.
Madera County Sheriff’s Department OHV Unit, in partnership with the USFS and other agencies, provides the highest level of enforcement and public education to OHV riders. Our goal is to create a safe and friendly environment in both rural and recreational areas throughout Madera County. |
 OFF-HIGHWAY ENFORCEMENT: The Madera County Sheriff’s OHV UNIT is an effective deterrent to illegal off-highway riding, providing extensive off-highway and on-road law enforcement throughout the county of Madera. The unit enforces laws pertaining to off-highway vehicle operations, illegal shooting, stolen vehicles/OHVs, area searches and patrol checks at parks and other recreational areas.
SEARCH AND RESCUE: The Madera County Sheriff’s OHV UNIT is equipped with specialized vehicles and equipment to respond to medical emergencies in difficult or remote terrain for medical assistance and or evacuation when required. The Madera County OHV UNIT will assist the department’s Search and Rescue Unit when requested.
PUBLIC AWARENESS:The Madera County Sheriff’s OHV UNIT provides personnel and equipment to schools, county fairs, civic groups, and public meetings, and organized off road organizations to explain the department's goals and objectives, state and local laws, and safe riding rules.
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EQUIPMENT:
- (2) SUZUKI DR-650, DUAL-SPORT MOTORCYCLES. These motorcycles are versatile and are the primary vehicles used to patrol the many different areas in Madera County. They are equipped with emergency lights; sirens and handle bar push to talk buttons for the portable radios.
- (1) SUZUKI DRZ-400S, DUAL-SPORT MOTORCYCLE was donated to the unit and this motorcycle is well suited to the unit’s needs. It is equipped with emergency lighting as well.
- (2) SUZUKI LT-250, 4X4 QUADS. The Quads are used to assist the unit in checking the trails, riverbeds and other off-highway terrain. These Quads are equipped with emergency lights and sirens. These Quads are equipped to assist Search and Rescue.
- (2) Trailers to haul the motorcycles and Quads.
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OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE (OHV) SAFETY
- Drive with courtesy.
- Stay to the right side of roads and trails.
- Approach hills and curves with caution. Assume there are
vehicles ahead.
- Go with a friend. Two heads and two vehicles are better
than one.
- Always tell a responsible person where you are going (in
detail) and when you will return. Ask the person to notify
the Sheriff Department at (559) 675-7770 if you do not return.
- Allow extra room and stopping distance when approaching
other vehicles, especially younger riders who may be less
experienced.
- ALWAYS wear appropriate safety equipment.
LAWS FOR THE OHV OPERATOR
- In order to operate ANY type of motorized vehicle off-road
on public land, you must have one of the following:
- A green or red sticker issued by the Department of
Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- A non-resident OHV permit.
- A street legal license plate for four-wheel drive
vehicles and dual-sport motorcycles.
- You may not drive an OHV in a manner that endangers the
safety of other persons or their property. No OHV shall
exceed 15 mph within 50 feet of any campground, concentration
of people or animals.
- All motorcycles must be equipped with a U.S. Forest Service
approved and working spark arrester and muffler. The OHV
must also comply with the state's noise regulation. CVC
38370.
- OHVs operated between sunset and sunrise must have
at least one headlight that allows the operator to see for
200 feet and one red taillight visible for 200 feet.
- Paved roads may be crossed at right angles to the direction
of the highway.
- It is illegal to possess an open container of an alcoholic
beverage while riding or operating an off-highway vehicle.
- For further information on a complete listing of OHV
LAWS, see Division 16.5 of California Vehicle Code or
visit the OHV web site: www.ohv.parks.ca.gov.
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| Click HERE for the Madera County Codes |
U.S. FOREST SERVICE LAND WITHIN MADERA
COUNTY
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- USFS public lands within the County of Madera are the
only legal areas to ride within Madera County.
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Example:
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- Before riding in the USFS public lands, contact the USFS
for laws and rules on riding your OHV. OHV’S (Green/Red
Stickers) may only be driven on non-street legal roadways
within the USFS areas. A road sign marking these roads is
vertical.
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Example:
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- Roads marked with a horizontal road sign are considered
street legal and OHVs (Green/Red Stickers) CANNOT
ride on these roadways.
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- State laws apply in the USFS area and are enforced by
DEPUTY SHERIFFS, FISH AND GAME, CHP and USFS EMPLOYEES.
- MIAMI MOUNTAIN MOTORCYCLE TRAILS is an area developed
by the USFS for the purpose of OHV riding. This area is
located on Hwy 41 north of OAKHURST.
- For further information on using the USFS lands,
contact the USFS by telephone, Ranger Stations, Visitor
Stations or on the USFS website.
- North Fork Ranger Station phone number: 559-877-2218
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OHV LINKS
California
OHV rules and information
ATV Safety Institute
USFS
(SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST)
Tread
Lightly Organization
Madera County OHV Grant Application
OHV EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
| Madera County Sheriff’s Department: |
559-675-7770
Also 911 from a home phone. |
| CHP, Fire (CDF), Ambulance: |
911
Cell phone or home phone. |
| USFS dispatch: |
559-348-1515 |
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