what states are side by sides street legal

Side by side is legal in most states in the United States. States like Washington, Ohio, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, Montana, Minnesota, Indiana, Kansas, Arizona, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, Vermont, Idaho, Kentucky, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Nevada.

Full Answer

Is side by side legal in the US?

Side by side is legal in most states in the United States. States like Washington, Ohio, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, Montana, Minnesota, Indiana, Kansas, Arizona, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, Vermont, Idaho, Kentucky, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Nevada.

Which states require side by side driving?

States like Washington, Ohio, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, Montana, Minnesota, Indiana, Kansas, Arizona, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, Vermont, Idaho, Kentucky, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Nevada. The requirements needed to drive side by side through the streets vary from state to state.

Are side-by-sides street legal in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, side-by-sides cannot be registered as street-legal vehicles. Unless an emergency has been declared, drivers cannot operate ATVs or UTVs on public roadways except on specified highways, bridges, and streets. You can use an ATV or UTV on roads with authorized snowmobile or ATV lanes.

Are side-by-sides street legal in Montana?

If you’ve managed to make your side-by-side street legal in Montana, you’re free to take to the streets. A headlight, brake lights, mirror, and a horn are all required for an ATV or UTV to be street legal, as does registration as a motor vehicle and displaying an appropriate license plate.

Are UTVs street legal in South Carolina?

What's more, South Carolina is one of the only states that does not allow UTVs and other off-highway vehicles that are not street legal to use or even cross public roads.

Is it legal to drive a UTV on the road in Alabama?

In short, no. In Alabama, off-highway vehicles are only allowed to use public roads in special circumstances like farming, utility maintenance, and law enforcement. It is illegal for the general public to drive an OHV on Alabama roads.

Can you register a side-by-side in CT?

It is not possible to register a UTV in Connecticut as street legal for reasons discussed below. However, it is possible to make a UTV street legal in Connecticut by registering in another state.

Can you make a UTV street legal in Arkansas?

You can register your UTV in those states without ever leaving your home. Once registration is complete and the required equipment is installed, your UTV will be street legal in Arkansas with an out-of-state registration (see How to Make Your UTV Street Legal).

Are side by sides street legal in Tennessee?

Tennessee allows UTVs and other off-highway vehicles to drive on public roads in the following circumstances: OHVs may operate on all county roads as defined in Tennessee Statute 55-8-203. Specific roads designated for OHV travel can be found throughout Tennessee Statute 55-8-185.

Are UTVs street legal in Georgia?

ATVs and UTVs may not legally be driven on any public street, roadway, or highway, including the shoulders of the roadway or highway in the State of Georgia. Operation on private property requires the written permission of the land owner.

Can you make a Polaris RZR street legal?

There are several factors that must be considered before the Polaris RZR can be considered legal. These include safety lights, side mirrors, rear mirrors, a front windshield, and a registration tag for the vehicle.

How do you make a Rzr street legal in Arizona?

You can make your ATV or UTV street-legal in Arizona by registering them for on-highway use. To be street legal, your ATV must be equipped with specific equipment and carry proof of liability insurance. What is this? You must also display the registration sticker on the upper right corner of your license plate.

Are side by sides street legal in NC?

On June 10th, 2021, Senate Bill 241 was ratified. On June 14th, it was signed into law. The new law, going into effect on October 1st, makes it legal to drive most properly outfitted UTVs on the road in North Carolina.

Do I have to register my side-by-side in Arkansas?

Do you have to Register an ATV in Arkansas? The statutes in Arkansas clearly state that an ATV is not required to be registered as a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle for operation on the public streets and highways.

How far can your tires stick out in Arkansas?

one-sixteenth inch(a) It is lawful to use metal studded tires with studs protruding not more than one-sixteenth inch (1/169) from the surface of the rubber tread on motor vehicles operated on the public highways of this state during the period from November 15 of each year until April 15 of the following year.

How much does it cost to register a UTV in Arkansas?

You will be required to pay a $5 registration fee and show proof of insurance to complete your registration.

Can you ride an ATV on the road in Alabama?

Driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on any Alabama roadway is illegal. However, local law enforcement agencies are continuing to see an increase in accidents involving ATVs.

Can you drive Polaris RZR on the road?

Abiding By The Local Laws Most places have at least some requirements to make a Polaris RZR street legal. Be it DOT approved windshields, eye protection, mirrors, turn signals, or a combination of them all, if you want to ride legally, you're going to need some street legal modifications.

Does Alabama issue titles for UTVs?

You are not required to title or register your ATV or UTV in Alabama.

What is a certificate of origin for a UTV?

A Certificate of Origin (C.O.) or Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) is similar to a Certificate of Title issued by your local DMV. A vehicle manufacturer issues a C.O. to the original purchasing dealer. The dealer endorses it to the new vehicle owner who then submits it to the local DMV upon vehicle registration.

How many people are needed to ride a side by side vehicle?

When riding a side by side vehicle on public roads, the city you are riding in must have a population of not more than fifteen thousand .

What is the speed limit for side by side driving in Nebraska?

When driving a side by side vehicle in Nebraska, you must not exceed the speed limit of 30 mph. You must have some things if you are a side by side vehicle operator. These are; a license, a triangular safety flag, and insurance.

How fast can you drive side by side in North Dakota?

The speed limit for side by side in North Dakota is 55 mph. If you are caught exceeding the speed limit on a public road, you could be banned from driving your side by side through public roads, limiting you to only off-roads.

What do you need to run a side by side?

Before you can operate a side by side, it must pass the state’s safety inspection and emission tests.

Is it illegal to drive a car in Ohio?

It would be best if you did not assume that every state has the same laws and regulations. For example, in Ohio, it is illegal to drive a vehicle between 1 am, and 5 am during the first 12 months of receiving a driving license. You cannot assume this is the law in every other state; in California, the time is between 11 pm and 5 am.

Is Arizona an ATV friendly state?

Arizona is one of the states in the United States that is ATV-friendly. However, side by side vehicles have to be registered like every other type of vehicle. Every regular requirement of any normal vehicle is also applicable to side by side vehicles. Such requirements include registration, insurance, title, registration fee, and emissions testing if you are operating in an emissions area.

Is a road with a high speed limit off-limits?

All roads with high-speed limits and are in highly populated areas are off-limits to side by sides.

What to do when you are side by side on a public road?

And first and foremost, if you plan on taking your side by side on a public roadway, please wear proper safety gear and be careful. Vehicles are not always considerate of motorcycles, UTV’s, ATV’s and other types of non-passenger cars and you should always be completely aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on vehicles and try to move over to let them pass you if necessary. Make sure you look thoroughly before crossing any roadway and if you are traveling in a group, make sure there is enough time for all of you to safely cross together.

What are side by side features?

Some things your side by side may be required to have and that you will need to update on your vehicle are: A Rear-view mirror and side view mirrors.

What states require registrations for RZR?

Arizona. Must register, have insurance, pay a registrations fee, title, and have an emissions testing (if you live in an area that requires it for vehicles). If you want to register your RZR and do not plan on using it on public roads, it is only a $3.00 fee and your plate must show a current sticker. Arkansas.

How far can you ride from a highway?

Only for agricultural use, or if you own the land the highway is situated on you may ride a 5-foot distance from the highway. Only if you are within a 5-mile distance of your farm for agricultural purposes and you must travel on the shoulder of the road only.

Can you use a UTV in an emergency?

Only if you are using your UTV during an emergency or if you are simply crossing the road. Only in an emergency or by approval from local authority. Only for crossing, has exceptions for hunters, trappers, or agricultural uses and you must be wearing proper headgear and eye protection. Check with your county or city.

Can you ride a UTV in Ohio?

In Ohio, each county or city has different laws on whether or not you can ride your UTV on the public roadways. Only for agricultural purposes, and you need to get permission with evidence that you are a farmer. Only for agricultural use, and you need to get permission with evidence that you are a farmer.

Do street legal kits come with all the parts?

Instead of searching for and purchasing all of these parts separately, a lot of stores offer Street-Legal kits. These kits will include most of what you need from this list and will cost you lest to buy all together. This is a smart decision if your vehicle does not have any of these additions already.

How many states have banned side by side vehicles?

Out of the 50 total states, 9 states have completely prohibited the use of side-by-side vehicles on public streets. For the remaining 41, you will need to consider a few general rules. Here’s a list of the prerequisites that your UTV or ATV must have in order to comply with the state rules.

How much does a side by side sticker cost in Colorado?

Note that you need to have a registration sticker while riding your ATV or UTV in this state. It costs $25.5 per year and expires by 31 st March of every year.

How to Get Region-Specific Information for Side-by-Sides?

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the best option to collect detailed information from. It is the government agency running at the state-level that regulates the registration of vehicles and driving licenses.

Can you drive a UTV on public roads in Indiana?

Indiana does not generally permit the operation of a side-by-side vehicle on public roadways. Still, you can use your UTV or ATV:

How far must you travel from one off road trail to another?

In such cases, the distance must be equal to or less than 3 miles. In case you are crossing a highway or a public street.

What is included in a street legal kit?

Alternatively, you can opt for a street-legal kit that includes switches, turn signals, mirrors, and license plates.

Is it legal to drive side by side on public roads?

To your surprise, side-by-sides are legal in most of the states of the U.S. Still; there are a few states that have not yet legalized the use of UTVs on public roads. Also, the ones that allow doing so with a few conditions and restrictions.

How many states allow street legal UTVs?

Now, 22 states allow street licensing of OHVs turning them into Street-Legal UTVs for connecting national and state forest trails via paved roads, either as motorcycles or farm implements. Every UTV comes with warning labels and manuals strictly forbidding operation on paved roads, but many OHV-friendly states allow limited use to connect trails with roads and to access gas stations, stores, restaurants and hotels in OHV-tourism townships.

Which states are OHV friendly?

Three of the most OHV-friendly states close to Cali are Arizona, Utah and Colorado, all of which also have great trails with some of the most awesome scenery in America. So, let’s look into what it takes to register and operate a UTV on the rural roads of Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

Can you license a UTV in California?

UTV Action magazine is based in northern Los Angeles County in southern California. While it is possible to license dirt bikes with dual-sport kits in some rural California counties, it is thus far impossible to license UTVs and ATVs for the street. This is true despite California reaping many billions of dollars a year from OHV recreation, so not allowing rural street use is a shame. California already has the highest vehicle registration fees and gasoline taxes in the nation, yet you really need long-travel suspension to drive on California’s dilapidated roads, especially sections of the I-5 and I-405 in Los Angeles.

Where is UTV Action magazine located?

UTV Action magazine is based in northern Los Angeles County in southern California.

Can you drive a UTV in Tucson?

It’s common to be driving in Tucson, Arizona’s second-largest city and see UTVs zipping around city streets, even downtown. On the newly opened La Paz trail, many towns even allow non-licensed UTVs to use city streets to access gas, parts, groceries and a room for the night. Licensing a UTV for the street doesn’t even require a safety inspection; just pay the registration fee, show proof of insurance and receive a motorcycle license plate. This is in addition to Arizona’s OHV registration.

Can you install turn signals on a UTV?

Installing turn signals on a UTV is not as complicated as it might seem.

Is it illegal to have colored headlights on a UTV?

And while headlamps themselves are a requirement, colored head lights (including blue and red) are illegal in most states even on street legal UTVs.

Can you ride a UTV on public roads?

And regardless of what state you’re in, chances are there’s somewhere you can ride a UTV on public roads legally. Trouble is, those places are few and far between.

Is it legal to drive a UTV on the road?

Outfitting your UTV with as many street legal parts as possible. Unless your local laws say otherwise, without basic street legal parts it's not legal to drive a UTV on the road where you live.

Is it legal to have a UTV side by side?

Legalizing a side-by-side is as complicated as registering a dirt bike, or even more so. To be street legal, a UTV must meet most of the same safety standards as a car, and there are several modifications that you will have to make to your stock side-by-side.

Can you drive a UTV side by side?

While not an issue for farmers and ranchers, it can be difficult for townsfolk and city dwellers to find a safe and legal place to drive their side-by-sides. Once you find a suitable location, you still have to load the UTV on a trailer and transport it there so its wheels never touch a public road.

Should I Make My UTV Street Legal?

Before we look at the individual components your vehicle will need, and before you set out driving your UTV on the open road, we should talk about its chief limitations compared to car or truck.

What Are the Different State Requirements for Street Legal ATV Use?

Interestingly, there are some states that will permit you to convert your ATV to make it street legal while others prohibit this practice. It is important to know the laws in your state and local area so that you can safely (and legally) ride your ATV without issues.

Which states have strict laws on ATVs?

Indiana is another state that has many local jurisdictions overruling the otherwise strict state laws on the use of ATVs on public streets. Though the state generally prohibits ATV use on public streets, more than 40 counties permit it.

How to know if your ATV is legal?

To know if your ATV meets street legal criteria, be sure to check with your local DMV. Keep in mind that most states strictly prohibit the use of ATVs on major highways and state routes. Often, these laws are put in place to maintain the safety of all drivers including those on ATVs and those on bypassing vehicles.

Is it legal to drive an ATV on Lake Erie?

However, the state does have a few conditional requirements that will permit street-legal ATV use. These include emergency travel, safely crossing a street, limited-distance traveling to reach an area designated for ATV use, and seasonally on the island of Lake Erie.

Is it legal to drive an ATV in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has conditional street legal requirements for ATV use in the state unless otherwise overruled by local jurisdiction.

Can you drive an ATV in Missouri?

Missouri generally prohibits the use of ATVs on public streets in the state unless otherwise overruled by local jurisdictions. Many local areas permit street legal ATV use for public officials, agricultural purposes, and when driven under 30mph by a driver with a valid driver’s license.

Can you ride an ATV without a safety course?

Riders are required to wear safety equipment, and youth ATV riders are not permitted to ride unsupervised or without completing an approved safety course. Be sure to review the requirements within your local jurisdiction as there are many conditional requirements in this state. 22. Michigan.