How to Make UTV Street Legal – Your Ultimate Guide 2023

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Owning and driving a UTV on the street can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to make sure that your vehicle is fully legal and street-ready. 

A UTV also known as side by side is a great way to get around on the farm or the ranch, and with the right modifications, it can be street legal, too. In this article, I am going to show you how to make UTV street legal. 

I’ll start with a quick summary of what you’ll need to do, and then I’ll go into more detail on each step.

Is It Possible to Make Side By Side UTV Street Legal?

If you decide to go for a street legal UTV, you’ll also want to make sure that you get a vehicle that’s designed for driving on the road. 

There are a few ways to make your UTV or Side by Side road legal. You can make it street legal by modifying the vehicle to meet the requirements of the state, or you can get a special permit from the state that allows you to drive the vehicle on the road.

Find Out What Your State Requires to Make Your UTV Street Legal

States require different kinds of licenses and registrations to be able to drive an off road vehicle on public roads. Some states even have some specific requirements, such as a waiver or a permit. To find out your state’s requirements, make sure to check the UTV laws of your state.

Here is exactly what you need to make your UTV street legal.

I) Parts Necessary For UTV Street Legal

Your UTV should have the following basic street legal parts. However, keep in mind that every state has different requirements to make UTVs legal, so make sure to check your local laws and modify your UTV according to them.

It’s going to be a lot of work to get the right combination of accessories that will work together to make your UTV street legal, but once you’ve found the right components, it will be well worth it. 

Muffler

The most common thing you’ll need to modify is your muffler. The muffler is going to be the single most important component to have if you’re going to be driving your UTV on public streets.

The muffler is the one component that is going to determine whether or not you can legally drive on public roads. The reason you’ll need to modify your muffler is to meet the current noise regulations. 

Turn Signal Lights

A set of turn signal lights is very important. You can see these lights as soon as your vehicle is in motion, which will give the car in front of you plenty of time to react. Unfortunately, not everyone is looking out for you, so if you don’t have turn signal lights, you should definitely get them installed. They will be useful even in daylight, too.

Rear Reflector

A rear reflector, also known as a rear view mirror, goes hand in hand with mirrors for UTVs. You can find them in a variety of sizes and colors, so you’ll have no problem finding one that fits your needs. While mirrors are mandatory, reflectors are optional, which means that you can do without them if you want. However, if you’re going to ride on the road, you’ll need a reflector.

Horn

There’s no question that a loud horn is a great safety feature to have on a UTV, but it’s not something that you’ll have to add. Most states require it as part of your UTV’s registration.

Headlights

As we mentioned earlier, headlights are mandatory for street legal UTVs. However, the type of lights you’re going to need depends on whether you’re going to be driving on a paved or unpaved road.

If you’re going to be driving on a paved road, you’ll need a regular light, but if you’re going to be driving on an unpaved road, you’ll need turn signals and at least one front and tail light.

Tires

Tires are another essential part of any vehicle. Perhaps, the easiest and most important step in making your UTV street legal vehicle is getting the most suitable tires. If you want to do the installation yourself, you should be able to do it yourself. However, if you don’t have the right tools and/or experience, you should consider getting someone else to do it.

Speedometer

A speedometer is necessary for a street legal UTV. If yours doesn’t, you might consider getting one, as they’re very handy for tracking your speed. The US Department of Transportation requires that UTVs must have a speed limit of 55 for county roads. 

Odometer

An odometer is an extremely important piece of equipment for UTVs. You need to make sure that it’s working properly, or if it’s not, you should check with the manufacturer because it can be illegal to drive a UTV without an odometer.

Windshield

Your UTV should have a windshield. It is also important to make sure that the windshield is clear and clean. If it is dirty, then you should get it cleaned. If you don’t have the time to get it cleaned, then you should buy a windshield washer.

Seat Belt 

There are a few different types of seat belts, a lap belt, shoulder belt, three-point, or airbag. The airbag is the safest option, but it is the most expensive to install. Most importantly, you need to make sure your seat belt is the type that is highway compliant. If you are not on a highway, you can also use the lap belt or the shoulder belt.

License Plate Light

A license plate light is a distinctive feature of all vehicles. The license plate needs to be visible under all conditions. An original plate light increases the visibility of your vehicle to those on the road. It also increases the chance that a police officer will spot your vehicle and check to ensure it is not stolen. 

Mirrors

Mirrors are very important in a UTV. They are required by law, and they are very helpful for spotting cars behind you and for making turns. The mirrors should be mounted high up on the side of the UTV.

II) Registration

After the necessary modifications, you need to do the paperwork to make your UTV or side by side street legal. ATV or UTV also requires a title, registration, license plate, valid driver’s license, and insurance to be street legal. 

Keeping up with your state laws to get your UTV street legal may take a lot of time, and those restrictions might change at any time.

 

If your documentation isn’t right the first time, you’ll have to pay a fee and spend time and energy fixing it. Even then, there are high chances that things may not go as expected.

But No Worries! 5 Star Registration can do this hard part for you. 

5 Star Registration has been in the business of making UTVs street legal for many years, and their procedure is the simplest and most expeditious. There is no risk to you since 5 Star Registration promise a complete refund if they are unable to make your UTV legal for the road.

For a consultation or to learn more about how to make UTV street legal, click here to contact 5 Star Registration.

Conclusion

If you have followed the information above and have done all that you can to make your UTV street legal, then you should be ready to start driving your UTV on the road. Street Legal UTV is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have some fun.

If you need further information about how to make UTV street legal, visit 5starregistration.com.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I Register My Side-By-Side in Montana?

Yes! Few states, including Montana, have a formal governmental procedure for converting a side by side to a street-legal vehicle. UTVs that have been made street legal in Montana can be driven on public roads across the state, and in other states as well. 

What is Required to Make a Street Legal UTV in Utah?

In Utah, a title and registration are required to legally drive a UTV on public roads. To officially register a vehicle, owners must pay a fee both at the time of the first registration and each subsequent year. 

Are UTV Street Legal in Florida?

In Florida, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) can be driven during daylight hours on any unpaved public road as long as the speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour. Unless specifically permitted by law, UTVs are excluded from the scope of this clause. 

ATVs and UTVs are prohibited on all other public roads, streets, and highways. However, if you want to make your ATV or UTV legal in Florida, 5 Star Registration can help you in this regard.

 

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