ATV legal question??

[Guest Baddawg865]

Could you make an atv street legal? I mean if you can have a trike on the roads, why couldn't you a 4 wheeler? Put a sway bar on, throw on some lights, get a tag, and there ya go. Just wanted to know your guys thoughts.

[MCSCOTT]

I was just talking about this very subject with my g/f last night as we were following a couple of 4wheelers down the highway. I'm not 100% sure but as far as I know you can't make them street legal, which I've never understood. These days, they cost as much as a new car, they go just as fast so driving around normal highway speeds isn't a problem, and they have brake lights and tail lights. On top of that, and the things you mentioned, it's perfectly legal for farmers to drive tractors on the roads, and they can NOT drive normal highway speeds. Alot of those same farmers use 4wheelers just as much if not more than their tractors, but yet they aren't suppose to have them on the roads.

Most LEO's in my area don't pay any attention to people riding them unless you're causing trouble in some way, but it still doesn't make sense to me why there are laws saying people can't ride them on the roads.

[peejman]

I'm sure you could make one street legal, if you're willing to deal with all the red tape. There are a bunch of hurdles in the process.

[Guest rockbottom12]

short answer no. not for daily use on roads. in rural ares, it would probably qualify as a farm vehicle. However it just isnt wise to ride atvs on pavement more than necessary. the steering is twitchy at high speeds, hard to turn at low speeds, the tires are not made for pavement either. just wouldn't suggest it.

however in ky in the truly rural areas many use atvs instead of cars for short trips, however alot of the roads are dirt/gravel, and they also will hit trail for 1/2 the trip.

[Guest tnfireman]

short answer no. not for daily use on roads. in rural ares, it would probably qualify as a farm vehicle. However it just isnt wise to ride atvs on pavement more than necessary. the steering is twitchy at high speeds, hard to turn at low speeds, the tires are not made for pavement either. just wouldn't suggest it.

however in ky in the truly rural areas many use atvs instead of cars for short trips, however alot of the roads are dirt/gravel, and they also will hit trail for 1/2 the trip.

Rockbottom is correct, The do qualify as a vehicle for "farm use" just as a tractor does. Most of the time, around here, LEO's do not pay attention to an ATV as long as it is being ridden responsibly.

[oldogy]

This information was accurate a few years back. Google is your friend. The state where I am part owner of an ATV dealership does not allow ATVs on the road but most LEOs realize a farmer must sometime move his ATV on the highway and do not mess with them. HTH

oldogy

BTW, what research I've done always shows street legal machines with street tires, mirrors, horn and other goodies.

Here is what you need to know - THE FACTS:

• Laws vary from state to state, ONLY your local DMV can give you definitive information. Your first stop should be your local department of motor vehicles.
  
• Street legal ATV riding will also have limits on how and where you can ride on the road. Being Street Legal doesn’t mean Ride Anywhere at Anytime.
  
• A street legal ATV would need to be road worthy including turn signals, headlights, brake lights and a rear view mirror. A minimum ride height may also be required.
  
• Proper licensing, registration, insurance and paperwork is not optional for ATVs. In fact obtaining an insurance quote may prove to be a frustrating experience.
  
• Special rules - In some states it is only legal to ride an ATV on the road at an angle of aproximately 90 degrees to the direction of the highway. In such places you may hear it is legal to ride an ATV on the road but the specifics may not be what you think they are. Crossing the road doesn’t mean street legal.
  

Edited April 5, 2010 by oldogy

[Mike.357]

It is pretty much foolishness to ride your trail ready quad on pavement. They are not made for it and it is fairly dangerous.