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Are side-by-sides street legal in Florida?
Florida's law on side-by-sides and ATVs on public roads, quoted from its own page, with the conditions, equipment and plate rule.
The law in Florida
Side-by-side (UTV): Florida publishes no road rule for a side-by-side that we could find. Ask the county sheriff before riding a public road.
ATV (quad): On some roads. Florida allows an ATV on certain public roads, under the conditions below.
"(1) The operation of an ATV, as defined in s. 317.0003 , upon the public roads or streets of this state is prohibited, except that an ATV may be operated during the daytime on an unpaved roadway where the posted speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour."
Dirt bike: Only where it is allowed locally. In Florida, a dirt bike may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"Off-highway vehicles are not allowed to be operated on Florida roads unless approved by local ordinance; a valid Florida driver license would be required at that time."
Florida Statutes 316.2123 Operation of an ATV on certain roadways., checked November 2026.
Side-by-side (UTV) · Florida. Florida publishes no road rule for a side-by-side that we could find. Ask the county sheriff before riding a public road.
Side-by-side (UTV) · Florida
No state rule foundFlorida publishes no road rule for a side-by-side that we could find. Ask the county sheriff before riding a public road.
What the law does say
"“ROV” means any motorized recreational off-highway vehicle 80 inches or less in width which has a dry weight of 3,500 pounds or less, is designed to travel on four or more nonhighway tires, and is manufactured for recreational use by one or more persons."
"“ATV” means any motorized off-highway or all-terrain vehicle 55 inches or less in width which has a dry weight of 1,500 pounds or less, is designed to travel on three or more nonhighway tires, and is manufactured for recreational use by one or more persons."
Registration and plates
"OHVs or ROVs will NOT be issued a license plate or registration decal; however, a title validation decal will be issued."
More from Florida's law
"Florida law states that all-terrain vehicles (ATV) may only be operated on unpaved roadways where the posted speed limit is less than 35 MPH and only during daylight hours. However, a county may choose to be exempt from this."
"Off-Highway and All-Terrain Vehicles are titled, but not registered, and are not required to be insured with PIP and PDL coverage."
"(5) Except as provided in this section, an all-terrain vehicle may not be operated upon the public roads, streets, or highways of this state, except as otherwise permitted by the managing state or federal agency."
Source: Florida Statutes 316.2123 Operation of an ATV on certain roadways., checked November 2026.
Also read on: FLHSMV: Off-Highway and All-Terrain Vehicles · FLHSMV Procedure TL-44 (off-highway vehicle titles) · Florida Statutes 317.0003 Definitions. · Florida Statutes 316.2074 All-terrain vehicles.
Find off-road parks to ride without the road questionRiding a dirt bike? 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
- Side-by-side or ATV
- Conditions, equipment and plates
Riding in Florida
49 off-road parks listed in Florida. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.
Other states
Side-by-side and ATV road laws in other states
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Common questions
Street legal UTV questions
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