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Are side-by-sides street legal in Georgia?

Georgia'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 Georgia

Side-by-side (UTV): On some roads. Georgia allows a side-by-side on certain public roads, under the conditions below.
"Once an MPOHV has been registered and issued either a license plate or a temporary operating permit, a driver with a valid driver’s license will be able to operate the registered vehicle on county roads. HB 121 provides that such vehicles “shall be operated only on highways that are part of a county road system and shall be authorized to cross highways that are part of a municipal street system or part of the state highway system.” MPOHVs are not permitted to be driven on interstates, state highways, or city streets."
ATV (quad): Georgia publishes no road rule for an ATV that we could find. Ask the county sheriff before riding a public road.
Dirt bike: No. Georgia does not allow a dirt bike on public roads.
"(1) "Unconventional" motor vehicle or "Unconventional" motorcycle is any motor vehicle or motorcycle that is manufactured and not in compliance with: ... (b) Applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards ... (2) An Unconventional motor vehicle or Unconventional motorcycle shall not be issued a certificate of title or registered by the State of Georgia."

Georgia Department of Revenue: Registering a Multipurpose Off-Highway Vehicle, checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Georgia

Some roads

On some roads. Georgia allows a side-by-side on certain public roads, under the conditions below.

"Once an MPOHV has been registered and issued either a license plate or a temporary operating permit, a driver with a valid driver’s license will be able to operate the registered vehicle on county roads. HB 121 provides that such vehicles “shall be operated only on highways that are part of a county road system and shall be authorized to cross highways that are part of a municipal street system or part of the state highway system.” MPOHVs are not permitted to be driven on interstates, state highways, or city streets."

Conditions

"MPOHVs must also have features specifically intended for utility use. Generally, this means that MPOHVs must be vehicles designed and manufactured primarily for performing off-road tasks in agricultural, construction or industrial settings."
"Only MPOHVs manufactured after January 1, 2000 may be registered."
"Minimum cargo (payload) capacity of 350 lbs."
"Must have the ability to operate between 25-65 mph"
"MPOHVs are not permitted to be driven on interstates, state highways, or city streets."

Registration and plates

"Effective December 1, 2023, owners of multipurpose off-highway vehicles (MPOHVs) may voluntarily register their vehicles so they may be driven on county roads. For vehicles that qualify as MPOHVs, owners will be able to register their vehicles and receive a certificate of registration and a license plate. MPOHVs will not be titled."

Required equipment (5)

Headlights
Brake lights
Taillights
Rearview mirror
Safety belts

Driver's license

"a driver with a valid driver’s license will be able to operate the registered vehicle on county roads."

Riding in Georgia

38 off-road parks listed in Georgia. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

See Georgia off-road parks

Other states

Side-by-side and ATV road laws in other states

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Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

On some roads. Georgia allows a side-by-side on certain public roads, under the conditions below. Source: Georgia Department of Revenue: Registering a Multipurpose Off-Highway Vehicle.

Georgia publishes no road rule for an ATV that we could find. Ask the county sheriff before riding a public road. Source: Georgia Department of Revenue: Registering a Multipurpose Off-Highway Vehicle.

Georgia's law says: "Effective December 1, 2023, owners of multipurpose off-highway vehicles (MPOHVs) may voluntarily register their vehicles so they may be driven on county roads. For vehicles that qualify as MPOHVs, owners will be able to register their vehicles and receive a certificate of registration and a license plate. MPOHVs will not be titled."

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