Riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on public roads feels like the ultimate freedom, yet it is only legal in a handful of U.S. states – and even there you must meet strict equipment requirements, pay the right registration fees and obey ordinary traffic laws. This guide explains:
- what “street legality” means for an ATV,
- the states that now allow a street-legal ATV on public streets,
- local exceptions, age restrictions and speed limits, and
- the step-by-step registration process that turns an off-highway toy into a bona-fide road vehicle.
Use it as a starting point, then double-check your own county ordinances before you ride.
Table of Contents
What Makes an ATV Street Legal?
State motor-vehicle codes usually treat an ATV as an off-highway vehicle. To share a lane with cars you must retrofit “essential safety features” that mirror what the Department of Motor Vehicles demands of a car or motorcycle:
| Mandatory Modifications* | Why They Matter |
|---|---|
| Headlight, tail light & brake lights | Visibility day and night |
| Horn & two rear-view mirrors | Alert and awareness on a city street |
| Reflectors & license plates (with light) | Identification for law enforcement |
| DOT-approved street tires & spark-arrester muffler | Road grip & wildfire prevention |
| Windshield or certified eye protection | Rider safety at higher miles per hour |
| Safety inspection (some states) | DMV confirms compliance |
*Exact lists vary; see state sections below.
Once the hardware is fitted, owners file registration documents, show proof of proper insurance and pay an annual plate or decal fee. Several states also require an OHV or ATV safety course before plates are issued – Arizona’s 2025 law is the newest example.
States With Full Street-Legal Programs
Below are the states that, as of early 2025, offer statewide plates for ATVs that pass inspection. They allow operation on most public highways except high-speed interstate highways.
Utah
Utah pioneered the “street-legal ATV” plate. You submit a vehicle inspection certificate, pay an age-based fee, and mount a motorcycle-style plate. In return you can use any road posted 65 mph or below, provided you respect local speed limits and keep right on two-lane roads.
Arizona
Arizona issues an OHV decal plus a regular plate through ADOT. Starting in 2025 at least one registered owner must complete a new online OHV safety course before renewal. ATVs may travel on public streets where the posted limit is 45 mph or less and where no local ban exists.
Wyoming
The Department of Transportation lets owners convert an ATV into a “multipurpose vehicle.” You must pass the MPV checklist (lights, mirrors, horn, muffler), affix a plate, and, when you ride designated trails, add a state ORV decal. Plates are valid on all minor county roads and most state highways except interstates.
Idaho, Montana, North Dakota & Oklahoma
These four states appear on nearly every national street-legal list and share common rules: inspection, plate, insurance and 35–45 mph caps inside town limits. Montana is even friendlier: you can register through a Montana LLC and avoid vehicle sales tax, a popular loophole for adventure enthusiasts.
South Dakota (Limited Use)
Until mid-2023 South Dakota issued full on-road plates. That programme ended, but street-legal ATVs from other states may still use many state and federal forest service roads if they display their home-state plate and hold a $50 non-resident permit. Riding on multi-lane highways, however, is now prohibited.
States With Local-Option or Partial Street Legality
Several states leave the decision to counties or small towns. In these places you must check city ordinances before assuming your ATV is welcome on a city street.
| State | Typical Rule |
|---|---|
| Colorado | Counties such as San Juan and Lake City allow plated ATVs on roads posted under 35 mph. Other counties ban them outright. |
| Kansas | ATVs legal inside cities under 15 000 people if you carry plates and stay below 30 mph. |
| Texas & Louisiana | Shoulder-only operation for agricultural purposes or when a slow-moving-vehicle emblem is fitted. |
| Minnesota & Michigan | Plated machines may use gravel public roads outside metro areas; individual townships can add restrictions. |
| Florida | Daytime riding on unpaved county roads with 35 mph or lower limits. |
Because authority shifts county to county, always confirm local bylaws and look for “ATV route” signs before entering a paved road.
States Where ATVs Remain Off-Road Only
Large, densely populated states – California, New York, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Rhode Island – still treat ATVs strictly as off-road vehicles. They may be titled but cannot receive highway plates. Exceptions are rare (parades, farm crossings) and require a temporary permit or law enforcement escort. Fines for illegal road use can top $500 plus impound fees.
Registration Process at a Glance
- Upgrade safety equipment – lights, horn, mirrors, DOT tyres, spark arrester.
- Gather paperwork – title, bill of sale, proof of insurance, completed inspection form.
- Visit the DMV (or county treasurer) – pay registration fees, usually $30-$90, plus any plate or decal charge.
- Affix your plate and carry it where clearly visible; some states specify a rear-facing license plate holder with illumination.
- Display decals for trail systems or national forests if required.
- Obey speed limits and stay off major highways – most states cap ATVs at 45 mph or bar them from multi-lane roads altogether.
Key Rules Riders Often Miss
- Age restrictions – operators under 16 may need a safety course or adult supervision.
- Helmet & seat-belt laws – if your ATV has seats and belts (many side-by-sides do), you must use them.
- Night-time operation – extra reflectors or auxiliary lights may be necessary.
- Private property – plates never override a landowner’s right to keep ATVs out.
- Additional coverage – some insurers exclude road use; ask for an ATV endorsement that includes collision coverage and property damage.
Break any of these rules and you risk fines, loss of registration and higher insurance premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride an ATV on an interstate?
No. Even in the friendliest jurisdictions, interstate highways and high-speed expressways are off-limits.
Are side-by-sides (UTVs) covered by the same laws?
Generally yes. Many states refer to them as street-legal UTVs or multipurpose off-highway vehicles. Requirements mirror those for ATVs but add seat-belts and roll-over protection.
Do I need a motorcycle licence?
Most states treat a street-legal ATV as a motor vehicle but waive the motorcycle endorsement so long as you hold a valid driver’s licence.
What about registration in hopes of avoiding hefty vehicle taxes?
Schemes such as the Montana LLC set-up remain legal but may run afoul of your home-state tax rules. Seek legal advice before trying to save on sales tax policy.
Final Thoughts
Only a dozen U.S. states now provide a truly hassle-free, tax-saving registration benefit for ATVs, and each writes a slightly different rulebook. Equip your machine to meet nationwide safety requirements, complete the proper registration, and keep a laminated copy of the statutes in your cargo box. That way, whether you are exploring Idaho’s pine forests, Utah’s red-rock canyons or Wyoming’s wide-open ranch roads, you can prove your ATV is street legal – and enjoy the ride without an unexpected chat with the sheriff.
Always verify regulations with your local Department of Motor Vehicles and county offices; laws evolve and ignorance is never a defence.