Of course, your local Johnny Law might have a habit of turning a blind eye to UTVs and side by side. But it`s always best to make sure you`re completely legal when you`re on the go, so you`re protected at worst. A great resource for this topic is UTV Action Magazine`s 2019 article on the topic. Dirt Legal provides you with a title, license plate and registration to enable your UTV road approval in any state. We only need some basic information from you to make this happen. It`s always up to you to make sure your UTV complies with all local laws and regulations regarding blinders, etc., but it`s much easier than dealing with DMV. Trust us. The above information is based on current Florida regulations as of January 2021. Laws and statutes are subject to change depending on location. Please exercise due diligence and check the above information with your local VDD to ensure it is still applicable. If you have any questions about golf carts or LSVs approved for the street, our knowledgeable staff at Performance Golf Carts will be happy to point you in the right direction and make sure you ride happy! Here are the basic parts you need to make UTV roadside approval anywhere in the United States. Many of these mods will also be useful on trails, so check out this list and see which parts you need to do your UTV route approval. Safety is the main reason why UTVs are rarely allowed ex works on the road.
In addition to emissions, it is the lack of occupant safety that keeps these vehicles in dirt, sand and mud. It is illegal to tamper, remove or prevent a pollution control device from working on your vehicle. Those who do so are guilty of a first- or second-degree offense, depending on the offense. There are replacement mirrors that attach to the frame of a UTV and give the driver a side mirror. These mirrors create a blind spot just behind the vehicle, so it`s always a good idea to install a mirror in the cab. Although Florida`s NEV and LSV electric vehicles are not allowed to ride on roads with speed limits greater than 35 miles per hour, they are allowed to cross roads with higher speed limits. However, if you want to legally drive your golf cart on roads where the indicated speed limit is 35 miles per hour, you must ensure that your car meets the standards of a low-speed vehicle (LSV). An LSV is a vehicle with a maximum speed greater than 20 mph but less than 25 mph. There are certain basic requirements for a LSV to comply with the rules of the road.
Low-speed vehicles must have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), be registered and eligible. LSVs must also be insured with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance. Low-speed vehicles may only operate on roads where the specified speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. Just like a motorcycle, a UTV will be a curiosity on the highway. Drivers are always looking for common obstacles such as cars, trucks, and pedestrians. Curiosities like motorcycles and UTVs – with their smaller profiles and generally dim lights – often go unnoticed. If the headlights on your end aren`t bright enough to attract attention, consider upgrading them, even if they already meet your state`s legal standards. Please note that the use of a «golf cart» (standard) on public roads is illegal in the State of Florida. However, if a local government entity chooses to lower national and state standards for manufacturing, performance, and safety, and allow «golf carts» access to public roads, specific issues would necessarily have to be addressed and local ordinances would have to be implemented by the local government unit to ensure the use of «golf carts» on its roads. See summary below for this option: State laws often require that a license plate be no less than 12 inches and no more than 60 inches above the ground.
It shall also not exceed 24 inches on either side of the centreline of the vehicle and shall not rotate or move. This needs to be addressed. Anti-lock brakes prevent skidding and allow the driver to steer in the event of emergency braking. ABS can help improve vehicle stability (avoid swerving), steering ability (steer the vehicle where the driver wants to go) and braking capability (distance required to stop the vehicle). For more information or assistance regarding motor vehicle title and registration, please contact your local tax office. You can be stopped at any time by a law enforcement officer for a vehicle inspection. Car and van owners must have front and rear bumpers mounted at certain height levels. Height restrictions depend on the vehicle`s new shipping weight; not the modified or modified weight. The maximum permitted heights between the roadway and the bottom of the front and rear bumpers, as set out in Section 316.251 of the Laws of Florida, are as follows: (22) «golf cart» means a motor vehicle designed and manufactured for use on a golf course for sports or recreational purposes and that cannot exceed a speed of 20 miles per hour. Many of these racing harnesses also require a seat upgrade, but they`re worth the investment. UTVs are extremely light and prone to rollover collisions compared to most vehicles on the road. A five-point harness gives you the best chance of staying in the safety cage in the event of an accident.
316.212 Driving golf carts on certain roads.-The use of a golf cart on public roads or highways in this state is prohibited, except as provided herein: Florida law treats mopeds, electric scooters, and motorized bicycles differently than motorcycles, so it`s important to know how your vehicle is classified and what rules apply to it. It is the responsibility of people considering a legal road conversion to know the local laws in which they wish to work side by side. It won`t be a small investment, and you shouldn`t do it lightly. Still, a glass windshield offers better protection from the elements and debris, making it a smart investment for your road-legal UTV. There may be alternatives to a glass windshield, make sure everything you choose is approved by the Ministry of Transportation. 2012 Florida Statutes TITLE XXIII – MOTOR VEHICLES Chapter 316 – UNIFORM STATE TRAFFIC CONTROL 316.2126 – Authorized Use of Golf Carts, Low-Speed Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles. You don`t need insurance for a motorized bike in Florida, but as mentioned earlier, you also can`t drive these vehicles on public roads. Most state laws require motor vehicles on public roads to be equipped with a DOT-approved laminated glass windshield. Persons riding bicycles or mopeds on a road have the same rights and obligations as drivers of motor vehicles (with some exceptions). Cyclists are ticketed.
Know and comply with these laws: All vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, must have at least one white light visible forward at a distance of at least 1,000 feet. You must also have two red lights visible at a distance of at least 1,000 feet in the rear, or one red light visible at the rear for a distance of 1,000 feet, and two red reflectors visible from all distances from 600 feet to 1,000 feet. There are still many misconceptions about the legal use of standard «golf carts» as a means of personal transportation on Florida state public roads.