How To Make Your UTV Street Legal

Many quad aficionados have shown an interest in owning a street-legal UTV or ATV. It’s highly enticing to be able to jump in your UTV and go directly to your favorite trail from the comfort of your own garage. Well the great news are local governments are adopting legal procedures to make this possible, thanks to the growing popularity of ATVs and UTVs. How awesome would it be to be able to go out to the trail without having to load up or simply go for a joyride down the road.

While this is not an issue for farmers and ranchers, finding a safe and legal spot to drive their side-by-sides can be challenging for city dwellers. Once you’ve found a suitable place, you’ll need to load the UTV onto a trailer and move it there, ensuring never to drive in a public road

Unfortunately, you can’t just drive these machines on the road without taking the proper precautions. Most of the time, you’ll need to modify them so that you can drive them like a regular car without being pulled over by the police. with a few modifications, most of the states will enable you to legally enjoy the road

P.S: One of the most crucial things to keep in mind is your state’s laws. This will provide you with instructions on how to modify your UTV to meet legal standards.

How To Make Your UTV Street Legal

Can Your Side By Side Be Street Legal?

The answer is yes, it can be done in a variety of ways. However, in order to meet federal and state regulations, you’ll need to invest in a few accessories and components to make your side-by-side street legal. The fact that there isn’t a universal list of rules for on-highway vehicles may be the only stumbling block.

Because every state is different, as are certain counties and towns, the best strategy before spending any money or attempting to convert your UTV to become street legal is to check with your state’s motor vehicle department to see whether it is even possible.

Also, make sure to check with the area or municipality where you’ll be driving to see if there are any additional or unique requirements beyond those listed by the state.

After you’ve done your homework and discovered that you can register your vehicle for highway use, you’ll need to start compiling a list of everything you’ll need and begin customizing your vehicle.

The Most Common Required Modifications

MUFFLERUTVs and ATVs are extremely loud, which may irritate nearby motorists and pedestrians. Some people believe that fitting mufflers will make them quieter.
SPEEDOMETEROnly a few states need speedometers, and you are one of the fortunate ones if yours does not. Because installing a speedometer is difficult, you might wish to buy a UTV that already has one.
HEADLIGHTSVehicles must have headlamps in every state. However, because each state has its unique set of restrictions, researching the rules before purchasing your kit is the best course of action.
TAILLIGHTSWhile some jurisdictions need them to be brighter than those on regular vehicles, you should check your state’s standards because any pre-installed taillights may be deemed insufficient. So double-check the legislation in your state.
HORNHorns aren’t strictly necessary to make your ATV or UTV street legal, but they can be quite useful in averting accidents, especially when driving on a crowded street.
WINDSHIELDYour windshield not only keeps bugs out of your car, but it can also keep other sorts of debris and high winds out. Windshields are available in a variety of materials, including glass and plastic.
LICENSE PLATE MOUNTIf you’ve registered your UTV for the streets, you’ll need a solution to display the license plate appropriately and securely. The license plate must be installed on the back of the vehicle in several states.
REARVIEW MIRRORSSome states may demand that it be put on the left-hand side, while others may require that you have a full size set fitted to legalize your ATV or UTV.This addition is a little more difficult to install than other UTV upgrades. As a result, purchasing the installation kit is highly advised.
TURN SIGNALSAlthough not required in every state, certain states do require turn signals to be placed. As a result, make sure they’re in working order so that if you’re pulled over, it won’t be a problem.Even if you don’t use turn signals as often as you should, it’s still important to make sure they’re working properly. They’re simple to put together, and kits are readily available online.

Street Legal Kits For UTV s and ATVs

Many companies sell street legal kits that contain all of the many materials you’ll need for your four-wheeler in one convenient location, saving you the time and effort of searching for individual items. These kits are wonderful because they include most of the items you’ll need, such as turn signals, license plates, switches, and mirrors.

  • UTV Heavy Duty Lever Switch Turn Signal Kit with Horn and Hardware (with License Plate LEDRound LED Lights)
  • Tusk UTV Street Legal Kit- Lights, Horn, Turn Signals, Mirrors, License Plate – POLARIS RANGER RZR XP XP4 1000 2014–2018
  • MCSADVENTURES ATV UTV Toggle Switch Turn Signal with Horn and Hardware Street Legal Kit – Round LEDs and License Plate LED

Other Requirements

  • If you’re riding your four-wheeler on a state-maintained highway, you’ll almost certainly need insurance.
  • Your UTV or ATV must pass a state safety inspection as well as an emissions test if applicable.
  • You may not be permitted to travel on all roads, including high-speed freeways and densely populated places.
  • A valid driver’s license is required for everyone driving. Motorcycle endorsements aren’t required, but you should double-check with your local DMV beforehand.

 Additional Tips

INSURANCE

Insurance is not required to drive your UTV off-road, however it is required to share the road with other vehicles.

TITLE AND REGISTRATION

To establish that you own the vehicle, you must show the registration and title. These documents must be carried with you at all times when using the roads.

DRIVERS LICENSE

While some jurisdictions do not require a driver’s license to operate a UTV or ATV, because these vehicles are rarely seen on the streets, police officers may ask for your license frequently when driving in some states.

LICENSE PLATES

This is a fairly frequent requirement, so if you’re driving a quad on the road, it’s a good idea to stop by your local DMV and enquire about it.

INSPECTION

This is the final stage in getting your UTV street approved, and it necessitates a visit to the licensing agency or, in some areas, the Federal Land and National Park Administration.

How Much Does It Cost?

The answer to this question will differ substantially depending on your state’s policies and legislation.You should expect to pay more if you require extra alterations, but it should never cost you more than $700.

If your state’s restrictions are somewhat lax, it will most likely cost you around $300.
This cost, however, can vary depending on where you obtain the changes, and investing in high-quality parts will ensure that your car is safe to drive on public roads.

You can also hire someone to complete these upgrades for you. It may be more expensive, but it makes things easier if you aren’t extremely technical or handy. Although it is uncommon to see UTVs or ATVs being driven on the street, this does not exclude you from doing so.

If you live in a state where having your UTV street legal is not possible, you should not waste your time and money attempting to do so. This is due to the fact that you cannot legally drive your quad on the street. However, if your state allows you to make your UTV street legal and you don’t have a method to transfer it to off-road trails, this is one of the finest ways to make your life easier.

Categories UTV

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