Utility Task Vehicles, more colloquially known as side-by-sides, are designed to handle varied terrain, typically off-road. This may be the reason why they’re rather popular in a place with wide-open spaces like Texas.
However, taking your UTV into an urban area might not be the best of ideas. There are particular rules when it comes to these versatile vehicles.
So, are side-by-sides street legal in Texas? In this article, we’ll find out about the legal requirements in driving these vehicles on public roads. Plus, whether or not you can use them for your daily commute.
Texas Laws Concerning Utility Task Vehicles
The general rule is that UTVs aren’t allowed on public roads. This means that side-by-sides aren’t street legal in Texas unless you fall into certain exceptions. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has a special category for these vehicles and rather strict rules on when a side-by-sides can be driven on a public street.
UTVs with off-highway license plates can be used only in these situations:
- Inside master-planned communities with uniform Homeowner’s Association rules that had their cadastral maps approved by the county or municipality.
- Transit to and from a golf course, but only during the daytime on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, and within two miles of where these vehicles are usually parked.
- Crossing intersections, even on roads with a speed limit of over 35 mph.
- Cities and certain counties may authorize UTVs on public roads. But only those with speed limits of 35 mph or less. In addition, the UTVs must display their off-highway vehicle license when operating on authorized roads.
- If the side-by-sides can’t reach a speed higher than 25 mph, it must have a triangular orange flag clearly displayed to warn others that it’s a slow-moving vehicle.
- UTVs that don’t have off-highway license plates can only be driven on public roads if owned and operated by the state, farmers, public utility workers, or law enforcement.
Discussing the Exceptions to the Rules
The lack of license plate requirements for state, public utility, and law enforcement exceptions are rather obvious, as they aid the government in enforcing rules or maintaining public utilities.
However, the farmer exception doesn’t mean that anyone who owns a farm can use a side-by-side on all roads. There are requirements to these as well. These are:
- The UTV can only be on the road during the daytime.
- The reason for operating the side-by-sides must be in direct connection with the cultivation, production, or harvest of agricultural products.
- The origin and destination of the side-by-side must be within 25 miles of each other.
- The side-by-side must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in the form of a triangular orange flag. This flag should be tied to an eight-foot pole mounted at the back of the vehicle.
- Both the side-by-side’s headlights and taillights should be lit at all times.
Even side-by-sides that government and public officers operate have to comply with their own rules. These rules are as follows:
- UTVs owned and operated by the state, county, or municipality must be used to promote public safety and welfare.
- If operated by a public utility, it must be used only during the daytime and no more than 25 miles from its point of origin.
- When in use by law enforcement or emergency services, it must be within 10 miles from the point of origin.
- A slow-moving vehicle emblem mounted on an eight-foot pole at the back of the vehicle is required even for vehicles traveling above 25 mph.
What About Texas House Bill 1548?
On June 14, 2019, legislation from the Texas House of Representatives came into effect to allow side-by-sides beyond the previously stated exceptions. The law, House Bill 1548, gives municipalities and counties the power to authorize non-agricultural UTV use.
However, the law never lifted the restrictions as it isn’t self-executing. This means that the law gave cities and municipalities the ability to make side-by-sides street-legal, but cities and municipalities must expressly say that they’re doing so.
Only after authorization by the municipality would side-by-sides be required to be titled and obtain secure licenses for limited use in public roads. If you’re unsure if your city has UTV laws already in place, contact your local DMV.
Where Can I Get an Off-Highway License Plate?
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, side-by-sides fall under the Unique Vehicles category. Although they aren’t eligible for registration, they’re required to issue titles to them. Off-Highway Vehicle license plates can be acquired from your local county tax assessor/collector’s office.
If the vehicle was purchased out of state, you must pay a Texas Use Tax to obtain an Off-Highway license plate.
If you wish to obtain a driver’s license to operate a side-by-sides, refer to the list of requirements as given on the Texas Department of Public Safety license page.
Where Can I Legally Use My Side-by-Side?
UTV owners are free to operate their vehicles on private property, whether they have OHV plates or even meet Texas DMV requirements. However, using your side-by-sides on public land has its own set of requirements that need to be followed.
They’re not as restrictive as the rules for using the UTV on a public road but must still be kept in mind if you don’t want to be fined.
Requirements to Operate Side-by-Sides on Public Land
The side-by-side was meant to go off-road, and many public areas allow UTVs for recreational use. However, when driving a UTV on public property, you must abide by the following:
- You must have a Texas Parks and Wildlife Off-Highway Decal displayed on the vehicle.
- You must have completed a duly approved ATV safety course. After presenting the Completion Certificate, you’ll be given a Department of Public Safety certificate within two and a half months.
- While riding, you must wear both a helmet and eye protection.
- You must keep the safety certificate on your person or be with an adult who has a safety certificate with them.
- If the driver is less than 14 years old, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Both headlights and taillights must be operational and lit after dark.
- The vehicle must have a functional brake and muffler system.
- The side-by-side cannot carry a passenger unless the vehicle was designed to carry passengers.
- The vehicle must have a US Forest Service-qualified spark arrester.
Failure to follow these rules may cause the driver to be liable for a Class C misdemeanor and fined up to $200.
Do I Need to Register My Side-by-Side at the DMV?
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles doesn’t require registration of UTVs. In fact, these vehicles aren’t even eligible for registration in the first place because they generally can’t operate on public roads.
On the other hand, obtaining a title for your side-by-sides is mandatory. Newly bought UTVs come with a Certificate of Origin. It’s up to the owner to get a certificate of title. Certificate of titles for vehicles purchased from out of state must still be presented to the local county tax office for the proper Texas Use Tax.
Although many people may think that getting a title for their side-by-sides isn’t worthwhile, this is actually a good idea in the long run. UTVs are relatively easier to steal than cars, which is one of the few ways to present proof of ownership.
Titles also help people avoid purchasing stolen vehicles when buying second-hand UTVs. The lack of a title, among others, is a red flag that the vehicle you’re planning to buy may be stolen.
Will Side-by-Sides Ever Be Street Legal?
Although side-by-sides aren’t currently street-legal in Texas, a movement is slowly growing to have this versatile vehicle be approved for use on public roads.
With the wide-open spaces in the state and the popularity of UTVs in general, this may come sooner rather than later.
The passing of Texas House Bill 1548 is a step in the right direction. The power to give these vehicles access to public roads now falls on city and county governments.
If enough people push their local representatives to enact these rules, having street-legal side-by-sides may not be far off.
Following the Current Rules
Until changes to the current rules, UTVs will remain prohibited on public roads with a few exceptions stated above. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to follow these laws, as disobeying them can lead to fines and penalties.
It may take a while before side-by-sides become street legal in Texas. But until then, you can take advantage of the places where they’re actually allowed.