Do UTV have titles? The titling law is different in many states. While some states mandate titling UTV, others do not classify them as vehicles you need to title. Generally, however, a title is paperwork that proves ownership. If your state recognizes UTV titles, then you’ll need it to legally operate it on public roads or transfer owner in the event of a sale.
Do UTV have titles?
A title is proof of ownership of a vehicle. However, not all states require you to get UTV titles. The law may be complex, for example, some states that do not mandate UTV title will if you operate on public roads. Whatever the law in your state, this updated article answers the question per state.
1. Alabama
In Alabama, you are not needed to title or register your UTV. In reality, you are only allowed to register a UTV and are not even allowed to give it a title.
UTVs can only be registered once a license plate issuing authority inspects them, together with the ownership documentation. More UTV Alabama information can be found here https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/atvutv-registration.
2. Alaska
Off-highway vehicles such as UTVs, dirt motorcycles, moose buggies, snowmobiles, and other types may be registered but not titled in Alaska. These vehicles must be registered with the DMV if they are driven on public grounds, per Alaska laws.
3. Arizona
The obligatory OHV Decal regulation requires a UTV to have a certificate of title to be compliant. Since 1985, most OHVs in Arizona have needed titles; however, in 2009, the legislation was changed to require titles for all OHVs
4. Arkansas
UTVs are not permitted in the state of Arkansas on public streets or highways, however, riders are permitted to use the roadways in unusual and extraordinary situations.
5. California
A registration certificate and a state-issued identifying plate or device must be shown while operating a UTV in California.
6. Colorado
To be used or even owned in Colorado, all off-highway vehicles, including UTVs, must be registered and given a number.
You need to be able to provide ownership documentation to register your UTV. You should have at least a receipt or bill of sale, but it is not necessary to have a certificate of title as such are not always accessible.
7. Connecticut
UTV title use is not permitted on any public streets in Connecticut. The single exemption is that, if the street is not a limited-access highway, an operator with a current driver’s license may cross it on a UTV. You must stop completely and yield to oncoming traffic before making a 90-degree turn.
8. Delaware
In Delaware, it is illegal to drive a UTV on a public street unless with a title or authorization. Only the UTV in neutral may be pushed alongside the road.
9. Florida
A certificate of title must be requested from the county tax collector by the owner of an off-highway vehicle that has to be titled like the UTV. The application must include the owner’s legal name, home or place of business address, and an exhaustive description of the off-highway vehicle. Find out more information here https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/off-highway-all-terrain-vehicles/.
10. Georgia
In Georgia, it is illegal to drive a UTV on a public street unless you have a title or are authorized to do so.
11. Hawaii
UTV usage on public roadways is typically forbidden, hence UTV use in Hawaii is restricted to off-road use. There are a few instances when it’s acceptable to operate a UTV during the daytime on a public roadway.
12. Idaho
In contrast to the majority of states, Idaho has opted to treat all roads as available to ATV or UTV use, unless they are federal or state highways or have been shut down by local authorities. The largest illustration is the ban on UTV usage on all city streets in Boise.
A valid restricted license plate, a valid IDPR OHV registration, a valid driver’s license, and liability insurance are required in Idaho to operate a UTV on a public road.
13. Illinois
In Illinois, you are not allowed to drive a UTV on public roadways unless the local government has authorized it or you have gotten a title for it.
14. Indiana
According to Indiana law, it is typically prohibited to drive a UTV on public roadways. However, there are several exceptions to this rule.
For instance, as long as there is enough space to do so without putting life or property at risk, you may operate on the right-of-way next to a public roadway, except on a restricted access highway.
To travel from one riding area to another, you may also cross a public highway—other than a restricted access highway—at a 90-degree angle.
15. Iowa
To use a UTV on public lands in Iowa, one must first register the vehicle with the DNR. You can submit your registration application to the County Recorder.
You must submit an application for a certificate of title to the County Recorder if you purchased your UTV on or after January 1, 2000. After the UTV, the application must be submitted within 30 days.
16. Kansas
In Kansas, if you have a driver’s license and the vehicle is registered, you are allowed to drive a UTV on certain public roadways.
County, township, and city highways in Kansas with less than 15,000 inhabitants are among the types of roadways you may lawfully ride on. If your UTV has lights, you can ride during the day or at night.
17. Kentucky
Any motor vehicle used for off-road fun is a UTV. Every UTV must have a title in Kentucky. On the other hand, they are not mandated to be registered.
18. Louisiana
There are a few exceptions to the general rule that UTV usage is not allowed on public roadways. Louisiana has different laws for UTVs than the majority of other states.
You can ride a UTV on the shoulders of any public road or highway during daylight hours, beginning thirty minutes after dawn and ending thirty minutes before sunset, except for interstate routes and those situated in Orleans Parish. As necessary, you may also cross public streets or highways.
19. Maine
In Maine, you must register your UTV. The registration is valid for one year. A resident of Maine must pay $33 toward registration, while a non-resident must pay $68. A seven-day registration is also available to non-residents for $53.
20. Maryland
Unless a route has been designated as an ATV path, usage of UTVs is typically forbidden on all Maryland roadways. Any All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Off-Road Motorcycle, or UTV acquired on or after October 1, 2010, must have a title. Utility vehicles (UTV) that are side by side and were bought on or after October 1, 2017, must also be titled. Refer to Maryland laws here https://mva.maryland.gov/.
21. Massachusetts
To use a UTV on either private or public property in Massachusetts, the vehicle must first be registered. Only UTVs used strictly for agricultural, forestry, logging, or construction work are excluded from the registration requirements.
22. Michigan
A certificate of title for UTV must be obtained from the Secretary of State if they are owned by a resident of Michigan. Even if a UTV owned by a non-resident of Michigan is used in Michigan, this rule does not apply to it.
A certificate of origin must be included if you buy a UTV from a dealer. You can get the details you need on the certificate of origin when you contact the Secretary of State to request a title. Visit Michigan’s website https://www.michigan.gov/ to get more information.
23. Minnesota
In Minnesota, you need to register your UTV, and there is a $60.00 registration cost. You must have a bill of sale showing the serial number of the UTV in Minnesota.
You are exempt from Minnesota registration requirements if you lawfully registered your UTV in another state or nation and won’t be staying in Minnesota for longer than 30 days.
24. Mississippi
Regrettably, Mississippi’s regulations don’t provide much clarification about the permissibility of using a UTV on public roadways. Our research indicates that it is likely governed locally, with some towns or counties allowing you to register your UTV for street use while others do not.
25. Missouri
You are not authorized to own a UTV in Missouri unless you obtain a certificate of ownership or title from the department of revenue. You must apply for a certificate of ownership within 30 days of buying the UTV.
26. Montana
You must purchase a registration decal from your County Treasurer to register your UTV in Montana. Your UTV must have the OHV Registration Decal. If you are riding with authorization, registration is not necessary, and neither is registration for your UTV.
27. Nebraska
In Nebraska, it is illegal to drive a UTV on any road or highway with more than two indicated lanes of traffic. If you must do so, you need to get the vehicle registered and obtain a title as well.
28. Nevada
Nevada is stringent on the usage of UTVs. The state regulation forbids UTV usage on public highways, including gravel roads, unless a municipal government authorizes such use or gets a title.
29. New Hampshire
UTV usage is not allowed on public roads in New Hampshire unless the route has a sign clearly stating that it is acceptable for OHRV use.
Also, UTV usage is authorized on public road crossings and trail connections other than on marked roads, however, you are not allowed to go faster than 10 mph or to stray to the extreme right of the public road.
30. New Jersey
You cannot drive a UTV on a public road in New Jersey, as one would anticipate in such an urban state. The only exception is getting a title.
31. New Mexico
In New Mexico, you may sometimes drive a UTV on a public road, although the spots are not always obvious. This means getting a title is not overly important.
The single regulation that applies to the whole state is that you are not allowed to drive a UTV on any highway or expressway. You are only allowed to ride alongside a roadway to go to or from an OHV area unless usage is authorized on that particular route.
32. New York
If you want to ride a UTV anywhere in New York State, even on your property, you must register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You must register your UTV with the DMV if you purchase it from a person who is not a New York State-registered ATV dealer. You must finish the “Vehicle Registration/Title Application” to accomplish this (MV-82). You can find out more information regarding New York UTV titling.
33. North Carolina
In North Carolina, it is illegal to drive a UTV on any roadway or interstate. Additionally, you are not permitted to ride on any public street, road, or highway unless you need to cross it. https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/blk pdf NorthCarolinaLaw.pdf.
34. North Dakota
Your UTV needs to be registered in North Dakota as a street-legal vehicle. If you register, you are allowed to drive a UTV on a paved street or highway with a stated speed limit of 65 mph or less.
A valid driver’s license is required, and your UTV has to be capable of traveling at least 35 mph on a flat surface.
35. Ohio
UTVs cannot be used in Ohio unless they have first been registered and given a number. On forms provided by the registrar for this purpose, you may submit an application for registration together with the required fee to the registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar.
36. Oklahoma
After purchasing your UTV, you have 30 days to register it. The Oklahoma Tax Commission, which will issue you a registration number, a certificate of registration, and a sticker, is where you must register your UTV. Your UTV’s front should have the decal affixed such that it is clearly visible.
37. Oregon
Class I, II, III, and IV UTVs operated just off-road are not required to have titles or be registered with the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV). However, Class II and III UTVs that are operated both on and off-road must be named and registered. The DMV provides optional titles for Class I, II, and III UTVs operated just off-road, without registration.
Although it is not legally necessary in Oregon, we strongly advise having all of your UTVs named. A title not only proves legal ownership and helps law enforcement locate lost or stolen vehicles, but it is also necessary to finance or insure a UTV.
38. Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, unless the UTV is used primarily as a farm or business vehicle, you must title and register the UTV with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
39. Rhode Island
Your UTV must first have a title from the division of motor vehicles to be registered in Rhode Island. You can get a certificate of title from the division of motor vehicles if you don’t already have one.
40. South Carolina
After providing confirmation of ownership and liability insurance for the UTV and paying a $10 biannual fee, an individual or company owner of a UTV may get a license plate or title to be permanently attached to the back of the vehicle and registration from the SC Department of Motor Vehicles.
41. South Dakota
In South Dakota, you need a title for ATV. If you purchased it in South Dakota, your ATV is subject to the 4% motor vehicle excise tax. However, a state business buying an ATV will need to present proof of tax paid to the Department of Revenue office. Refer here https://dor.sd.gov/individuals/motor-vehicle/.
42. Tennessee
You don’t need to register your UTV or get a specific license to drive one in Tennessee if you own one.
However, you are required to affix a unique identifying plate or sticker to your car that demonstrates you have a certificate of title for it. Get more Tennessee UTV title information here https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/vehicle-registration/off-highway-vehicles.html.
43. Texas
Off-highway vehicles (UTVs) must be titled by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), however, they cannot be registered. An Off-Highway Vehicle license plate is available for off-road vehicles and may be ordered through the county tax assessor’s office. Visit https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/unique-vehicles for additional information.
44. Utah
Your UTV must be registered if you want to use it on any public property, trails, streets, or highways in Utah but getting a title is not important.
45. Vermont
Your UTV must be registered in Vermont before you can use it. To ride on the state’s trail networks, you must also get a VASA Trail Access Decal to put on the front and back of your UTV.
46. Virginia
In Virginia, you are not needed to register your UTV. Any new UTV with a motor over 50cc needs a Virginia title. If you need a title to get a loan or otherwise prove your ownership of a used UTV, you may also ask for one.
47. Washington
You must get ORV decals or tags as well as a title and register your UTV in Washington. You must accomplish this within 15 days of buying your UTV by going to a vehicle licensing office. Additional costs will apply if you don’t comply.
48. West Virginia
If you want to use your UTV on any public road in West Virginia, you must have a title for it.
49. Wisconsin
UTVs are usually not given titles in Wisconsin. Decals and certificates are included with new, renewal, and transfer/renewals. If you want to ride on any public property in Wisconsin, you must register your UTV as a UTV.
The registration process must be completed within 10 days of the UTV’s purchase. The dealer has five days to submit the registration if you bought from them. Additionally, small UTVs need to be registered. You will obtain a temporary operating receipt upon registering your ATV or UTV, which you must keep with you when riding until you receive your two registration decals in the mail.
50. Wyoming
If you receive an MPV Permit, you can lawfully drive a UTV on public roads in Wyoming (apart from interstates). A current license plate, a valid driver’s license (or permit) with an M or MR endorsement, and evidence of liability insurance are requirements for getting an MPV permit.
Read also: States that don’t require UTV license plates
Final words
UTV titles are important and it ensures you are the full owner of the vehicle. Titles contain the legal document that certifies that you are the owner of the vehicle. So regarding the question, “do UTV have titles,” you want to follow your state law.
Bernard is the lead driver and force behind his Big Dog Garage Race Team. He is the General Manager and Chief Mechanic of Jay Leno’s Garage. Bernard and his crew of seven are responsible for all repairs, restoration and fabrication of Jay’s incredible automobile and motorcycle collection.
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