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Are dirt bikes street legal in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin
On some roads. Wisconsin allows a dirt bike on certain public roads, under the conditions below.
"No person may operate a limited use off-highway motorcycle on the roadway portion of any highway unless one of the following applies: ... Operation is on a roadway which is not maintained, or is only minimally maintained, on a seasonal basis for motor vehicle traffic. Such operation is authorized only during the seasons when no maintenance occurs and only if the roadway is not officially closed to off-highway motorcycle traffic."
Wisconsin Statutes 23.335(10) Operation on highways; limited use motorcycles., checked November 2026.
Dirt bike · Wisconsin. On some roads. Wisconsin allows a dirt bike on certain public roads, under the conditions below.
Dirt bike · Wisconsin
Some roadsOn some roads. Wisconsin allows a dirt bike on certain public roads, under the conditions below.
"No person may operate a limited use off-highway motorcycle on the roadway portion of any highway unless one of the following applies: ... Operation is on a roadway which is not maintained, or is only minimally maintained, on a seasonal basis for motor vehicle traffic. Such operation is authorized only during the seasons when no maintenance occurs and only if the roadway is not officially closed to off-highway motorcycle traffic."
Conditions
"Operation is on a roadway that is an off-highway motorcycle route. Such operation is authorized only for the extreme right side of the roadway except that left turns may be made from any part of the roadway which is safe given prevailing conditions."
"Operation on the roadway is necessary to cross the roadway. The crossing of a roadway is authorized only if the crossing is done in the most direct manner practicable, if the crossing is made at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing, and if the operator stops the limited use off-highway motorcycle prior to entering the crossing and yields the right-of-way to any other vehicles, pedestrians, electric scooters, or electric personal assistive mobility devices that are using the roadway."
Registration and plates
"The department shall refuse registration of a vehicle under any of the following circumstances: ... The vehicle was manufactured after 1969 and does not meet manufacturer or importer certification label requirements as specified in 49 CFR 567 or the vehicle is a Kei class vehicle."
More from Wisconsin's law
"“Off-highway motorcycle” means a 2-wheeled motor vehicle that is straddled by the operator, that is equipped with handlebars, and that is designed for use off a highway, regardless of whether it is also designed for use on a highway."
"“Limited use off-highway motorcycle” means an off-highway motorcycle that is not registered by the department of transportation for use on highways."
"“Off-highway motorcycle route” means a highway or sidewalk designated for recreational use by operators of off-highway motorcycles by the governmental agency having jurisdiction."
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
Riding in Wisconsin
43 off-road parks listed in Wisconsin. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.
Other states
Dirt bike road laws in other states
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- West Virginia
Common questions
Street legal dirt bike questions
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