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Are side-by-sides street legal in Kentucky?

Kentucky'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 Kentucky

Side-by-side (UTV): Only where it is allowed locally. In Kentucky, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(2) (a) The legislative body of a local government that is currently or formerly located within the boundaries of a regional authority, or which currently operates a public OHV trail system, may establish a pilot program, by ordinance, to authorize and reg ulate the operation of an OHV on any public roadway or any section of city or county roadway for which it bears responsibility."
ATV (quad): Only where it is allowed locally. In Kentucky, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(2) Except for vehicles authorized to operate on a public highway as of July 15, 1998, and except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, a person shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle upon any public highway or roadway or upon the right-of-way of any public highway or roadway. ... (c) The Transportation Cabinet may designate, and a city or county government may designate, those public highways, segments of public highways, and adjoining rights -of-way of public highways under its jurisdiction where all - terrain vehicles that are prohibited may be operated."
Dirt bike: Only where it is allowed locally. In Kentucky, a dirt bike may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(2) Except for vehicles authorized to operate on a public highway as of July 15, 1998, and except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, a person shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle upon any public highway or roadway or upon the right-of-way of any public highway or roadway. ... (c) The Transportation Cabinet may designate, and a city or county government may designate, those public highways, segments of public highways, and adjoining rights-of-way of public highways under its jurisdiction where all-terrain vehicles that are prohibited may be operated."

KRS 189.281 Definitions for section: Local government pilot program for off-highway vehicles., checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Kentucky

Where locally allowed

Only where it is allowed locally. In Kentucky, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.

"(2) (a) The legislative body of a local government that is currently or formerly located within the boundaries of a regional authority, or which currently operates a public OHV trail system, may establish a pilot program, by ordinance, to authorize and reg ulate the operation of an OHV on any public roadway or any section of city or county roadway for which it bears responsibility."

Conditions

"After June 29, 2021, and until July 1, 2027:"
"Operator is eighteen (18) years of age or older;"
"OHV is insured by the owner or operator, for the payme nt of tort liabilities in the same form and amounts as set forth in KRS 304.39-110 for motorcycles;"
"(3) A fully controlled access highway shall not be designated for OHV use under this section."
""Off-highway vehicle" or "OHV" means a motorized vehicle that: 1. Is designed to be primarily used for recreational purposes; 2. Has a maximum speed that is greater than thirty -five (35) miles per hour;"

Required equipment (11)

Four (4) to six (6) highway or nonhighway tires;
A steering wheel or steering mechanism;
Brakes;
Headlamps;
Tail lamps;
Brake lights;
One (1) red reflex reflector on each side as far to the rear as practicable and one (1) red reflex reflector on the rear;
A working muffler;
A parking brake;
A spark arrestor; and
For multi -passenger vehicles, an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle, either an interior mirror or an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle, and for each designated seating position, a seatbelt assembly that conforms to the federal motor vehicle safety standard provided in 49 C.F.R. sec. 571.209;

Driver's license

"(d) A person operating an all -terrain vehicle on a public highway under this subsection shall possess a valid operator's license. ... Operator has a valid operator's license in his or her possession;"

Riding in Kentucky

35 off-road parks listed in Kentucky. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

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Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

Only where it is allowed locally. In Kentucky, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: KRS 189.281 Definitions for section: Local government pilot program for off-highway vehicles..

Only where it is allowed locally. In Kentucky, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: KRS 189.281 Definitions for section: Local government pilot program for off-highway vehicles..

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