Continuing in our series of articles analyzing the ATV laws in every state, which stemmed from this article, we are addressing the ATV laws in Utah in this article. It should also be noted that, while I am an attorney, I am not your attorney and am not giving legal advice. If you have questions, you should consult a local attorney.
How does Utah Define an ATV?
Utah splits ATVs into two classes, one of which encompasses UTVs. Utah defines a Type I ATV as any motor vehicle capable of travel over unimproved terrain that is 52 inches or less in width that weighs 1500 pounds or less, and that has 3 or more low-pressure tires, and having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator.
Utah defines a Type II ATV as anything that is not a Type I ATV, snowmobile or motorcycle that is designed for travel over unimproved terrain. So, basically a Type II ATV is a UTV.
Are you Required to Register your ATV or UTV in Utah?
If you are operating your ATV or UTV on any public land, trail, street or highway in Utah, it must be registered.
To register an ATV or UTV in Utah, you must present the following:
- evidence of ownership, a title, or a manufacturer’s certificate of origin;
- a bill of sale showing ownership, make, model, horsepower or displacement, and serial number;
- a certificate from the county assessor that states the property tax on the ATV/UTV for the current year has been paid, the tax is a lien on real property or the ATV/UTV is exempt from payment of property tax for the current year (note, this is not required if the ATV/UTV has an implement of husbandry sticker); and
- the past registration card or the fee for a duplicate.
The registration sticker must be affixed to the rear of your ATV or UTV in a plainly visible position. It must be maintained free of foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
The registration card must be kept with the ATV or UTV and available for inspection by a law enforcement officer.
The following vehicles are exempt from OHV registration:
- Street-legal vehicles that are currently registered;
- Non-resident ATVs and UTVs displaying a current off-highway decal;
- ATVs and UTVs sold by a dealer to a non-resident;
- ATVs and UTVs used as implements of husbandry; and
- New ATVs and UTVs being transported to a dealer.
Non-resident owned ATVs and UTVs must be issued a decal that is displayed on the rear left side of the body plastic. The non-resident decal is valid for 12 months. Non-residents from a state offering reciprocity to Utah are not required to obtain the decal.
If you are not intending to use your ATV or UTV recreationally, but only for agricultural purposes, you may obtain a one-time $10 registration as an implement of husbandry.
What are the Youth Requirements for ATVs and UTVs in Utah?
Youth, ages 8-15, are permitted to ride an ATV or UTV in Utah, but only if they are in possession of an OHV education certificate issued by the Utah State Parks and Recreation or the equivalent for a non-resident. The certificate is obtained online at stateparks.utah.gov/ohv.
Youth riders aged 16 or older must have an Education Certificate unless they possess a valid driver’s license.
Riders under 8 may only operate an ATV if they are participating in a sanctioned race or organized practice under the direct supervision of an adult with emergency medical service personnel on site.
Direct supervision, as required, means oversight at a distance of no more than 300 feet, with visual contact, and where advice and assistance can be given.
Youth riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. If you want a great value on a good quality helmet, check out our Recommended Gear.
What Equipment is Required in Utah?
- If you are operating an ATV or UTV in sand dune areas, you are required to attach a red or orange whip flag. The whip flag must be at least 8 feet off the ground. Alternatively, you can attach a safety flag may be attached to your helmet at least 18 inches above your head.
- If you are operating an ATV or UTV between sunset and sunrise, it must be equipped with lights.
- An ATV or UTV must be equipped with operational brakes.
- An ATV or UTV must be equipped with a muffler.
- An ATV or UTV must be equipped with a spark arrestor.
Where can you Operate an ATV and UTV in Utah?
Registered off-highway ATVs and UTVs in Utah may be operated on public land, trails, streets or highways that are posted by sign or designated by map or description as open to off-highway vehicle use.
An off-highway ATV or UTV may not be operated on a street or highway except when crossing the street or highway after coming to a complete stop and yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic. The street must be crossed at a 90 degree angle.
ATV use is permitted in State Parks in designated ice areas where public ice-fishing areas are accessible by boat ramp. These areas include Bear Lake, East Canyon, Escalante, Hyrum, Jordanelle, Millsite, Otter Creek, Palisade, Piute, Red Fleet, Rockport, Scofield, Starvation, Steinaker and Yuba state parks.
Some of the most popular riding areas in Utah include Paiute ATV Trail, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and Little Sahara Recreation Area. There is a lot of Federal land open to riding in Utah, so it would be worthwhile to review this guide to ATV use on federal land.
Can you get a Street-Legal ATV or UTV in Utah?
A street-legal ATV or UTV must comply with motorcycle requirements for titling, odometer statement, vehicle identification, license plates, registration and emissions inspection.
Furthermore, a street-legal ATV or UTV must comply with motor vehicle requirements for driver licensing, insurance, safety inspections.
To become street legal, an ATV must be equipped with the following equipment:
- one or more headlamps;
- a lamp that illuminates the registration plate with a white light;
- a red rear reflector;
- a rear stop lamp;
- amber or red electric turn signals on each side in the front and rear fo the ATV or UTV;
- a braking system;
- a horn or other warning device;
- a muffler;
- rearview mirrors on each side;
- a windshield, unless the operator wears goggles (our favorites!);
- an illuminated speedometer;
- reflective tape on front and rear;
- if the ATV is designed for a passenger, the passenger seat must have a footrest and handhold; and
- tires that are not larger than the tires made available by the manufacturer and that have at least 2/32 inches of tire treat. You should consult this guide to ATV tires before buying new ones.
To become street legal, a UTV must meet the following requirements:
- two headlamps;
- two tail lamps;
- a white light illuminating the registration plate;
- a rear reflector;
- two stop lamps in the rear;
- amber or red electric turn signals on each side of the front and rear;
- a braking system;
- a horn or other warning device
- a muffler;
- rearview mirrors on each side;
- a windshield, unless the operator wears goggles (our favorites!);
- an illuminated speedometer;
- a seatbelt for each occupant;
- wheel covers, mudguards, flaps or splash aprons;
- reflective tape on front and rear;
- seats that are between 20-40 inches high when measured at the forward edge of the seat bottom; and
- tires that do not exceed 44 inches in height and have at least 2/32 inches of tread.
Even with a street-legal ATV or UTV, 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, the ATV must be operated on the extreme right hand side of the street); and
- a highway that has been closed to street-legal ATV use.
You may not operate a street-legal ATV or UTV above 50 mph or the posted speed limit, whichever is less. You must also operate the ATV or UTV on the extreme right of the roadway. Street-legal ATVs and UTVs are governed by requirements for both motorcycles and/or motor vehicles as follow.
Street-legal ATVs and UTVs must meet the requirements of motorcycles for the following:
- traffic rules;
- registration;
- titling;
- odometer statement;
- vehicle identification;
- license plates; and
- emissions.
Street-legal ATVs and UTVs must meet the requirements of motor vehicles for the following:
- driver licensing; and
- insurance.
If you are a non-resident with a street-legal ATV or UTV in your state of residence, you may operate said ATV or UTV on the public streets of Utah, as described above, only if your state of residence offers reciprocal operating privileges to residents of the state of Utah.
What to do if you are in an ATV or UTV Accident in Utah
If you are in an ATV or UTV accident in Utah, and anyone is injured or killed, you must submit a completed and signed OHV Accident Report to the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation within 15 days. The report is available from the Division of Parks and Recreation or any State Park Ranger. The information in the accident report will remain confidential.
Other ATV and UTV Laws
- It is unlawful to operate an ATV or UTV under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- It is unlawful to operate an ATV or UTV in connection with any act of vandalism.
- It is unlawful to operate an ATV or UTV in connection with the harassment of wildlife or domestic animals.
- It is unlawful to operate an ATV or UTV in such a manner as to damage the environment by excessive pollution of air, land or water, or by causing damage to the watershed, plant or animal life.
- It is unlawful to operate an ATV or UTV in such a manner so as to create excessive noise.
