Our Blog

This page contains WATV information in WA`s states, counties, and local cities. USFS information can be found on another page of this website. Does the MRSC have an overview of the new state laws from the 2020-21 legislative session affecting local governments? MRSC is a private, non-profit organization that serves local governments in Washington State. Eligible government agencies in Washington State can use our free, personal Ask MRSC service to get answers to legal, policy, or financial questions. If you are a Washington resident and want to ride on public property, your ATV must be registered and have a metal tag. The metal label has tabs that indicate whether the vehicle is approved for off-road use or for off-road and on-road use. Reciprocity of the WA DOL ATV authorization; CLICK HERE. In 2013-2104, Washington State enacted HB 1632 law regulating the use of off-road vehicles in certain areas, which also requires license plates for off-road vehicles and allows their use on county roads under certain conditions. This became known by many people as the “Traffic Law Ordinance”. In fact, most states allow counties and cities to set their own standards, and Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Texas, Minnesota, Wyoming, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, North and South Dakota, Washington, Michigan, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, Vermont, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Colorado (HB15-1054) have laws that the 2013 Washington State Legislature the power of drivers to operate certain all-terrain vehicles (also known as wheeled all-terrain vehicles). or ATV) on public roads.

Since then, ATVs have been increasingly used on public roads across the state. No. The government does not require a public hearing before an order can be issued. If there is a local rule that requires consultation, that rule must be followed, but the only legal requirement of the state is that the governing body approves the use of ATV through an ordinance. Are the roads approved for UTV? You must have a sticker to use your UTV or ATV on public lands, and they are not allowed on public roads, roads and highways. The crossing of these states is the same as in the previous states. Only certain UTVs and ATVs, such as the John Deere Gator and Polaris Ranger, can be allowed on the road, but need to be upgraded and renamed. It is road legal and equipped for use on all public roads.

Are ATV riders and passengers required by law to wear a helmet? Texas prohibits UTV operations on public roads with exceptions, but allows ORVs to cross a road, road, or public highway that is not a restricted highway. PHEVs are intended to intersect another road, road or highway at existing intersections. Road use must not exceed 25 miles. It`s an unfortunate cost of living in California, but if you`re considering registering your RZR or another side-by-side as a CA-certified vehicle, don`t hold your breath. Other states are much more lenient and allow you to register your UTV as a road vehicle. EHB 1251 expands ATV use on state highways in unincorporated areas where a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less applies, and where, after consultation with the Department of Transportation, the county passes a local ordinance authorizing ATV use in those areas. Broadly speaking, this means that county governments can now decide whether to approve the use of ATVs on federal roads in unincorporated areas. The WATV topic can be very complicated and confusing. The following details attempt to give a history of the initiative, dispel misinformation about it, and help people understand where it is legal to drive, and why or why not, with references to prove the accuracy of the information. But if you just want to search for it briefly to find a place or check the legality of a place you have in mind, check out the OHV WA map of Hometown Washington, which is also available in the Android and iOS apps. These resources also include off-road routes as well as WATV routes.

Is a four-wheeled SUV legal in Washington State? Note: No three- or four-wheeler SUVs can be converted for roadside approval in Washington State. A manufacturer must certify that the vehicle complies with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for road traffic in order for a vehicle to be approved for road use in Washington State. The key word here is “highways.” Mopeds and WATVs cannot be used on federal roads and are therefore not required by the state to purchase insurance. Counties and local cities can still require it. It`s the same reason why WATVs don`t need to have DOT approved tires. They don`t expect us to drive them more than 35 miles per hour on the roads, so the tires don`t have to meet the speed and safety requirements of the DOT. To travel on public roads, you must receive a label on and off road when registering your ATV or UTV. You have to be careful; However, since an on-road tag does not allow you to drive on any road.

Probably not. ATV operators are subject to all the rights and obligations of a motorcyclist under section 46.37.530 and chapter 46.61 RCW. RCW 46.61.610 sets out the requirements for the carriage of passengers, and a local government cannot issue an order that is inconsistent with this Act.