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Are dirt bikes street legal in Maryland?

Maryland's law on plating and riding a dirt bike on public roads, quoted from its own page, with the equipment and license rule.

The law in Maryland

Only where it is allowed locally. In Maryland, a dirt bike may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.

Only Allegany and Garrett Counties can open roads this way. Elsewhere, expect no road use.

"(i) In this paragraph, “all–terrain vehicle” includes an off–highway motorcycle. ... (iii) In Allegany County and Garrett County: 1. Authorizing a person to: A. Cross a highway on an all–terrain vehicle or a snowmobile at a right angle at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour; or B. Operate an all–terrain vehicle or a snowmobile on not more than 5 miles of highway at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour; and 2. Designating a certain portion of highways upon which all–terrain vehicles and snowmobiles may travel at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour for the sole purpose of gaining access to: A. Trails on which the operation of an all–terrain vehicle or a snowmobile is authorized;"

Maryland Transportation 25-102, checked November 2026.

Street Legal Dirt Bike CheckMaryland

Which state?

Dirt bike · Maryland

Where locally allowed

Only where it is allowed locally. In Maryland, a dirt bike may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.

Only Allegany and Garrett Counties can open roads this way. Elsewhere, expect no road use.

"(i) In this paragraph, “all–terrain vehicle” includes an off–highway motorcycle. ... (iii) In Allegany County and Garrett County: 1. Authorizing a person to: A. Cross a highway on an all–terrain vehicle or a snowmobile at a right angle at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour; or B. Operate an all–terrain vehicle or a snowmobile on not more than 5 miles of highway at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour; and 2. Designating a certain portion of highways upon which all–terrain vehicles and snowmobiles may travel at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour for the sole purpose of gaining access to: A. Trails on which the operation of an all–terrain vehicle or a snowmobile is authorized;"

Conditions

"(c) In Allegany County and Garrett County a person may not operate an all–terrain vehicle or a snowmobile on a controlled access highway."
"OHRVs are not required to be registered with MVA and, thus, may not be driven on any highway in the State."
"(b) Each county and Baltimore City may regulate the operation of off-the-road motorcycles, require them to be registered, and impose a registration fee for them."

Riding in Maryland

12 off-road parks listed in Maryland. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

See Maryland off-road parks

Common questions

Street legal dirt bike questions

Only where it is allowed locally. In Maryland, a dirt bike may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Only Allegany and Garrett Counties can open roads this way. Elsewhere, expect no road use. Source: Maryland Transportation 25-102.

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