States Where ATVs and UTVs are Street Legal
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- Опубліковано 19 січ 2025
- States Where ATVs & UTVs are Street Legal 2023
ATVs are super fun, there’s no question there. But sometimes, it can be a little frustrating trying to figure out the regulations where you live in. So if you’ve been wondering, “Can you drive an ATV on the road?” this state-by-state guide will help you.
So Can You Drive 4 Wheelers on the Road?
There is, unfortunately, no one size fits all answer to the question of driving an ATV on the road. It will all depend on where you live, state by state.
Fortunately, we have filtered through a list of all 50 US states and will be showing you the permitted states and what their specific laws say about ATV riding on the road.
Other Considerations for ATVs on Public Roads
Although they are not considered automobiles, cars, or trucks - these vehicles are still regularly maintained and observed by the law. Only the aforementioned states on the list allow the use of these vehicles if they are considered "street legal" through some modifications. As can be ascertained from the list, this is largely due to the necessity of open desert, plains, or extremely rough terrain that does not allow the passage of other vehicles on a normal basis. Restricting these vehicles in an open state with a lower metropolitan presence would severely impact the transportation methods of many citizens, and some consider this to be unconstitutional or unfair.
Further to making your street vehicle legal, you must also have insurance which my company, Select Insurance Group can help you with (pop up phone number). Driving on state-maintained roads with a police or sheriff's presence would usually mean you will need proper automobile insurance to ride legally. This would also mean that the license plate, sticker, and overall registration of the approved vehicle need to be properly recorded - with an up-to-date driver's license. Your local DMV can answer any questions, including classifying and endorsing a motorcycle class. They may also be able to answer if your vehicle needs to undergo a safety and emissions test.
Why are ATVs Not Allowed In Some States?
Generally, states with large cities and heavily metropolitan buildings do not permit the use of all-terrain vehicles. This also may mean that if you live in these states but are away from the "central hub,” your local and even state laws can permit the use of these vehicles in some cases where roads are rough or are not entirely present. Even in the states that allow these vehicles, they are often controlled where they can be used - downtown areas are almost always prohibited.
Alaska, for example, severely limits the use of these vehicles throughout the entire state. Although it is not known to be a highly metropolitan area, it is only allowed if road conditions permit. For example, the vehicle can be used if you are in an area that does not have access to major highways and most roads are not maintained properly. Further, if frequent snowfall has rendered a more traditional automobile useless, then ATVs and UTVs can be used if they are street-legal. In this way, ATVs can be used if they intuitively make sense to the region and the usual weather of the state.
Alabama
* Completely prohibited
Alaska
* When crossing roadways
* If regular motor vehicles can’t be used on the road due to extreme snow or ice conditions
* When driving on the outside shoulder of an access highway in the same direction of traffic
Arizona
* On-road use is allowed if the ATV is equipped with a horn and a license plate
* Riders should carry proof of insurance at all times while riding
* The vehicle must also pass an emissions test.
Arkansas
* The road is outside city limits and isn’t a major highway
* The ATV is being used for farming or hunting
* When crossing a public street or highway
* The rider has a major walking disability or has lost at least one leg above the ankle
* The rider is an emergency responder
California
* When crossing a two-lane street at 90 degrees
* When crossing a street with more than two lanes in a scenario when such crossing is allowed by the appropriate signs
* Whenever an authority has deemed ATV travel allowed on specific streets, but only if it isn’t dark, the ATV has rubber tires, the street has a stoplight, and you have a driver’s license
Colorado
* When crossing the street
* When the street permits their use
* When crossing a bridge
* During special events with authority permission
* During emergency conditions made official by the state
* When used for farming
Connecticut
* Only for a rider with a valid driver’s license and only when crossing a street at a 90-degree angle that is not a limited-access highway
Delaware
* Completely prohibited. You may push an ATV on the side of the road, but in neutral only
Florida
* Mostly prohibited. You may use an ATV on unpaved public roads with a speed limit of 35 mph, but only during the daytime.
Georgia
* Completely prohibited.
Hawaii
* When the ATV is used as farming equipment
* When it is operated by someone with a category 3 driver’s license under section 286-102
* When the ATV is operated on streets with only one or two lanes and the speed limits do not exceed 35 mph
* When used to travel between properties designated for agriculture
* When being operated by a city official, country official, or state official
* When used in counties with populations less than 500,000
Idaho
* Allowed on public roads as long as one possesses a valid license plate, valid driver’s license, and liability insurance. Must also have valid IDPR OHV.
* Federal and state highways prohibited
Illinois
* Prohibited unless on public streets while crossing at a 90-degree angle while yielding the right of way to anyone else
Indiana
* Generally prohibited, but with numerous exceptions.
* Operation while yielding the right of way to public highways is allowed
* Crossing public highways at a 90-degree angle is allowed
* Allowed in Indiana City
* Allowed in numerous jurisdictions
Iowa
* Generally prohibited, except in specified counties.
* You may cross public streets under the following conditions:
* The crossing is done at 90 degrees
* No obstruction is present
* You come to a complete stop before attempting the cross
* Always yield the right of way
Kansas
* Allowed with a registered vehicle and valid driver’s license
Kentucky
* Generally prohibited, except on streets and roads that have been designated by the Transportation Cabinet
* Exceptions are for when crossing a street at 90-degree angle, or on two-lane highways for maintenance, farming, or snow removal purposes
Louisiana
* Generally prohibited but with numerous exceptions.
Maine
* Permitted but under specific, numerous conditions.
Maryland
* Must have at least one headlight, one red taillight, a proper braking system, a muffler, rider with a helmet and eye protection to be used on public lands
Massachusetts
* Completely prohibited for public roads, but some areas are allowed, such as various state forests
Michigan
* Permitted if ATV is registered as a motor vehicle
Minnesota
* Generally prohibited, but the following roads are permitted:
* Median of a 4-lane highway
* With the right of way of freeways or highways
* With the right of way between opposing lanes of traffic
* On trails considered non-motorized
* At airports
* Snowmobile trails
* Must also possess a valid driver’s license
Mississippi
* Partially permitted; depends on a city-by-city basis rather than statewide.
Missouri
* Generally prohibited unless given special permissions by authorities for agricultural purposes.
Montana
* Permitted as long as the is ATV street legal, which means equipped with a mirror, brake lights, headlights, a horn, and must be registered.
* Must have a valid driver’s license and valid license plate
Nebraska
* Permitted if a road has one or two traffic lanes and under the following conditions:
* The road is outside the city or village limits
* The road is within corporate limits but granted permission by authorities
* The road is within an unincorporated city or village limits but authorized by the county board
Nevada
* Mostly prohibited unless permitted by local authorities
New Hampshire
* Mostly prohibited, except when granted permission by authorities for OHRV use
* When granted, the ATV cannot exceed 10 mph and must stay to the right of the road always
New Jersey
* Completely prohibited.
New Mexico
* Permitted on public paved roads with a valid driver’s license, insurance, and safety permit, plus license plate and goggles or other eye protection.
* Prohibited on highways
New York
* Almost completely prohibited but with few exceptions:
* Only when crossing a public street at an angle of 90 degrees, coming to a complete stop before crossing, yielding right of way to all traffic
* Only on divided highways and not interstate or controlled-access highways
North Carolina
* Completely prohibited on all roads and highways except for crossing only
North Dakota
* Permitted if ATV is registered as street legal
* On roads with speed limits of 65 mph or less
* Must possess a valid driver’s license
* ATV must have a top speed of at least 35 mph
Ohio
* Generally prohibited but with some exceptions:
* Traveling in an emergency
* Crossing a street safely while yielding the right of way
* On the side of a street or highway for a limited distance
* In counties with local authorities granting permission on designated streets
Oklahoma
* Generally permitted under these conditions:
* The street is within a state park
* The street is within a municipality with permitted UTV operation
* County commissioners have permitted use
* The street is in an unincorporated area with a max speed limit of 25 mph
Oregon
* Completely prohibited with the exception of gravel roads that are one and one-half lane and not located in US Forest Service lands
Pennsylvania
* Generally prohibited but allowed on roads designated as snowmobile roads
* Can legally cross streets on a 90-degree angle
Rhode Island
* Prohibited on paved roads
* Allowed to cross public streets or divided highways at a 90-degree angle
* Must have headlights, tail lights and be at least 18 years old with a valid motor vehicle operator’s license
South Carolina
* Completely prohibited
South Dakota
* Permitted if the vehicle is street legal, meaning registered, with four or more wheels, 200cc or more, at one or two headlamps, one tail lamp, registration plate, functioning brakes, a horn, directional turn signals, an exhaust system, a muffler and a red reflector at the rear of the vehicle
Tennessee
* Only on roads designated for ATV use and for agricultural purposes
Texas
* Prohibited except for farmers, utility workers, and law enforcement
Utah
* Only for crossing the street at 90 degrees unless made street legal
* Even with a street-legal ATV, interstate freeways and highways are not permitted
Vermont
* Prohibited except for the following exceptions:
* The street is not maintained during winter
* The street is designated for all-terrain vehicles
Virginia
* Completely prohibited
Washington
* Street legal permitted on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less
* Street legal means headlamp, a tail lamp, stop lamps, reflectors, turn signals, brakes, a mirror, a horn, a muffler, a windshield, and seatbelts
West Virginia
* Only permitted on roads with a center line or with more than two lanes
Wisconsin
* Only on roads or streets considered ATV routes
* May also be allowed to cross a road or bridge while yielding the right of way
Wyoming
* Allowed on public roads with an MPV permit
* Vehicle must be made street legal with a headlamp, tail light, brake light, red rear reflector, horn, and a left-hand rear-view mirror
I only have to register quad as motor vehicle in michigan?
@@mobleyMobley Along with registering the quad as a motor vehcile, you'll need a driver's license and insurance as you would to operate any motor vehicle on the roadway.
Terrible music at the beginning I thought my speaker was going to blow out. Good video though 👌
Lmao 😂
I live in AZ, in a major metro area that requires regular automobiles and trucks to get emissions tested. Emissions aren't required for my street legal UTV. A driver's license, registration and insurance is required.
How about reciprocity from one state to another? If I'm street legal, registered and insured in S. Dakota and take my UTV to another state? Thanks
They are now permitted on NC roads with a license plate, taillights horn etc. Has been that way since 2022. Your information is out of date.
I was hearing the samething how do you find out for sure
@@hitemupchop because I actually have tags on mine.
@@hitemupchop CHECK WITH YOUR COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE...THEY CAN TELL IF OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE..
We were pulled over by DEC, in NYS and he said there aren't really any laws right now in NYS for side by sides. please help with this
If I live in Texas what state would allow me to register it there as a non resident? And we own a farm so what are the use restrictions for a farmer?
I live in Texas and just got my roxor fully street legal. Just like a car. No restrictions.
what about in texas after you have gone to montana and registered it as a quadrycycle-will they respect the reciprocity law?
Haven’t had any issues with clients of our in Texas. We write business there all the time
Milwaukee wisconsin
West allis Wisconsin
Thank you so much for your time and commitment 🙏
That was very informative
HOW MUCH IS A YEARS WORTH OF INSURANCE ON A STREET LEGAL QUAD?
California will allow you even if your side by side is salvage ?
It will for insurance on a stated value or liability only.
So if I get all these on my side by side I can legally drive it out in California ? Is there anyway I can get legally confirmation on this would dmv have more information?
The usual suspects in my area don't care and the police turn a blind eye to their stupidity.
Avoid Hampton Roads.
Can I use my sxs in Hawaii with the Montana street legal kit
HI is pretty sxs friendly. I’m glad to help with whatever you need for the insurance stuff.
So, we are going to become full-timers in about a month. We are thinking about a MT LLC for our truck,
5th wheel, SXS and the trailer it is on. The SXS will be street legal. We will be double towing and visiting the western, non-liberal states. Are you able to insure all of our vehicles, including personal property, and do you recommend a certain LLC company?
Yes I can insure everything. You can call me at 855-438-7353 ext 101 and use dirtlegal.com to set up the LLC. Ask for brooks and tell him I sent you
@@Mrinsurancesteve I'm in the same boat, double towing, looking at a SxS to get around and go off-roading and not have to take my big dually. If we setup the LLC & get it all street legal per that, is there like a map of where I can and can not use it on the streets?
I did a video on this one. It is so specific with the state. Most places aren’t gonna bother you unless you give them reason to
@@Mrinsurancesteve did you mention about New York for atvs and quads? Are they legal or not? (I didn't really watch the whole video may bad).
I can help get the insurance set up wherever you’re at 855-438-7353 ext 101
San Diego California?
Williams township Pennsylvania?
I insure these in PA all the time for road use
@@Mrinsurancesteve nice 🙂
@@Mrinsurancestevenow let’s say I have a highway speed atv ? I wanna go on the freeways
@WorkingOnRocks we can do it. www.jotform.com/app/241897344195165
Good morning from Virginia. I have made all the preparations under the NC state laws to register my sxs street legal but my permanent residence is VA . Will i be allowed to travel on VA roads with a sxs registered an tagged from NC in VA?
Yes, if you wanna personally call me Monday I’m at 855-438-7353 ext -101 I’ll help you with it all.
EVER NOTICE HOW THOSE WHINE ABOUT THINGS NOT BEING FAIR, ARE ONLY WORRIED ABOUT "GETTING THEIRS"...
Those mud puddles you think are fun to drive through have frog and salamander eggs in them in the spring and you just drive through killing them. They drive by my house and i can't even hear my t.v. im sick of it.
So if I pay the dirt legal thing I can drive my raptor 700 on the streets in New York and not get it taken away???
That’s correct! We can insure it for you as well 855-438-7353 ext 101
Quad in Michigan.?
Ya I can help. 314-368-9125 is my cell
California needs to allow them
Thanks!❤️🇺🇸💥👍🏼
Louisiana
You don't have Indiana
Ny???
Ya we can help you there
my ears!!!!!
Ate utvs legal in california
Ky
What about Louisiana? Are they allowed?