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Are dirt bikes street legal?
Pick your state. Get the state's own law on plating and riding a dirt bike on public roads, quoted and linked, with its equipment and license rule.
Dirt bike · Ohio. Only where it is allowed locally. In Ohio, a dirt bike may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
Dirt bike · Ohio
Where locally allowedOnly where it is allowed locally. In Ohio, a dirt bike may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"Snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all-purpose vehicles may be operated as follows: ... (B) On highways in the county or township road systems whenever the local authority having jurisdiction over such highways so permits;"
Conditions
"no person shall operate a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle as follows: (1) On any state highway, including a limited access highway or freeway or the right-of-way thereof, except for emergency travel during such time and in such manner as the director of public safety designates or except as authorized by division (F) of section 4519.41 of the Revised Code;"
"(E) On the berm or shoulder of a county or township road, while traveling from one area of operation of the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle to another such area;"
"(7) During the time from sunset to sunrise, unless displaying lighted lights as required by section 4519.20 of the Revised Code."
Driver's license
"(A) No person who does not hold a valid, current motor vehicle driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's endorsement, or probationary license, issued under Chapter 4506. or 4507. of the Revised Code or a valid, current driver's license issued by another jurisdiction, shall operate a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle on any street or highway in this state, on any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or on any public land or waters."
More from Ohio's law
"(I) "Off-highway motorcycle" means every motorcycle, as defined in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code, that is designed to be operated primarily on lands other than a street or highway."
"The owner of a motor vehicle, other than a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle, that is not designed and constructed by the manufacturer for operation on a street or highway may not register it under this chapter except upon certification of inspection pursuant to section 4513.02 of the Revised Code by the sheriff, or the chief of police of the municipal corporation or township, with jurisdiction over the political subdivision in which the owner of the motor vehicle resides."
Source: Section 4519.41: Operation of vehicle on or near highway, street or road., checked November 2026.
Also read on: Section 4519.40: Prohibited acts. · Section 4519.44: Driver's license requirement · Section 4519.01: Snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, and all-purpose vehicle definitions · Section 4503.10: Application for annual license tax / registration
Find off-road parks to ride without the road questionRiding a side-by-side or an ATV? Check its road law
A guide to each state's published law, not legal advice. City and county ordinances and posted signs decide which roads are open; the linked law is the authority.
- Each state's own law, quoted
- Plate, equipment and license
- Free, no account
By state
Dirt bike road laws by state
Each state's own law, read for public roads. City and county ordinances decide which roads are open where the law leaves it to them.
| State | Dirt bike |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No state rule found |
| Arizona | Can be plated |
| Arkansas | No state rule found |
| California | Where a city or county allows |
| Colorado | Can be plated |
| Florida | Where a city or county allows |
| Georgia | Not allowed |
| Idaho | Can be plated |
| Kentucky | Where a city or county allows |
| Michigan | Can be plated |
| Minnesota | Can be plated |
| Missouri | Can be plated |
| Montana | Can be plated |
| Nevada | Can be plated |
| North Carolina | No state rule found |
| Ohio | Where a city or county allows |
| Oregon | Some roads |
| Pennsylvania | Not allowed |
| South Dakota | Can be plated |
| Tennessee | No state rule found |
| Texas | Not allowed |
| Utah | Can be plated |
| Washington | Can be plated |
| West Virginia | Some roads |
| Wisconsin | Some roads |
Common questions
Street legal dirt bike questions
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