While watching the news today, I watched a piece on whether off-road vehicles are allowed on the roads. I found this very interesting as I see numerous off-road vehicles on the streets, especially during the summer months. Off-road vehicles can be an intensely fun family activity and are prevalent in this state. To help you, I wanted to highlight some details from the unique piece on the news.
If you are operating your ATV or UTV on any public land, trail, street, or highway in Utah, you must register the vehicle. Affix the registration sticker to the rear of your ATV or UTV in an easily visible position. The registration sticker must be free of foreign materials and in a legible condition.
The registration card for your off-road vehicle must be kept with the vehicle and be available for inspection by a law enforcement officer.
Some recommendations and ways to make your off-road vehicle street legal are:
- one or more headlamps;
- a lamp that illuminates the registration plate with white light;
- a red rear reflector;
- a rear stop lamp;
- amber or red electric turn signals on each side in the front and rear of the vehicle;
- a braking system;
- a horn or other warning device;
- a muffler;
- rearview mirrors on each side;
- a windshield, unless the operator wears goggles
- an illuminated speedometer;
- reflective tape on front and rear;
- wheel covers, mudguards, flaps or splash aprons;
- if the ATV is designed for a passenger, the passenger seat must have a footrest and handhold; and
- tires that are no larger than the tires made available by the manufacturer and that have at least 2/32 inches of the tire tread
- proper insurance
Even with it street-legal, you may not ride on any of the following streets or highways:
- an interstate freeway;
- a highway in a first-class county;
- a highway that is near a grade-separated portion of the highway;
- a highway with a posted speed limit of 50 miles per hour or greater (on such a street, you must operate the ATV on the extreme right-hand side of the road)
If you or a loved one have been injured on an ATV, consider speaking with an attorney to learn more about your legal rights and what can be done to help get your life back on track.
