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Are side-by-sides street legal in Hawaii?

Hawaii'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 Hawaii

Side-by-side (UTV): No. Hawaii does not allow a side-by-side on public roads.
The law opens streets only to farm equipment and government workers on duty.
"(a) All-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles may be operated on a street, as defined in section 291C-1; provided that the all-terrain vehicle or utility-terrain vehicle is: (1) Used as farm equipment, or used by a city, county, or state worker while acting within the scope of that person's official duties;"
ATV (quad): No. Hawaii does not allow an ATV on public roads.
The law opens streets only to farm equipment and government workers on duty.
"(a) All-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles may be operated on a street, as defined in section 291C-1; provided that the all-terrain vehicle or utility-terrain vehicle is: (1) Used as farm equipment, or used by a city, county, or state worker while acting within the scope of that person's official duties;"

Hawaii Revised Statutes § 286-12 All-terrain vehicle; utility-terrain vehicle; permitted use, checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Hawaii

Not allowed

No. Hawaii does not allow a side-by-side on public roads.

The law opens streets only to farm equipment and government workers on duty.

"(a) All-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles may be operated on a street, as defined in section 291C-1; provided that the all-terrain vehicle or utility-terrain vehicle is: (1) Used as farm equipment, or used by a city, county, or state worker while acting within the scope of that person's official duties;"

Conditions

"(3) Driven on streets that are no more than two lanes, with posted speed limits of no more than thirty-five miles per hour;"
"(4) Used to travel between properties zoned for agriculture, or used by a city, county, or state worker while acting within the scope of that person's official duties to travel between properties under the jurisdiction of the city, county, or State;"
"(5) Used in counties with populations of less than five hundred thousand residents; and"
"(6) Driven on streets during daylight hours; provided further that while in operation, any operator and passenger of an all-terrain vehicle or utility-terrain vehicle shall wear a safety helmet with a securely fastened chin strap that meets the specifications and requirements established by rules adopted by the director."
"(c) Any person who violates this section shall be fined $250 for each violation."

Driver's license

"(2) Operated by a person who holds a current category (3) driver's license under section 286-102 or a commercial driver's license under part XIII;"

Riding in Hawaii

22 off-road parks listed in Hawaii. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

See Hawaii off-road parks

Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

No. Hawaii does not allow a side-by-side on public roads. The law opens streets only to farm equipment and government workers on duty. Source: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 286-12 All-terrain vehicle; utility-terrain vehicle; permitted use.

No. Hawaii does not allow an ATV on public roads. The law opens streets only to farm equipment and government workers on duty. Source: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 286-12 All-terrain vehicle; utility-terrain vehicle; permitted use.

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