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Are side-by-sides street legal in Nebraska?

Nebraska'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 Nebraska

Side-by-side (UTV): Only where it is allowed locally. In Nebraska, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(2) An all-terrain vehicle or a utility-type vehicle may be operated in accordance with the operating requirements of subsection (3) of this section: ... (b) Within the corporate limits of a city or village if authorized by the city or village by ordinance adopted in accordance with this section; or (c) Within an unincorporated village if authorized by the county board of the county in which the unincorporated village is located by resolution in accordance with this section."
ATV (quad): Only where it is allowed locally. In Nebraska, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(2) An all-terrain vehicle or a utility-type vehicle may be operated in accordance with the operating requirements of subsection (3) of this section: ... (b) Within the corporate limits of a city or village if authorized by the city or village by ordinance adopted in accordance with this section; or (c) Within an unincorporated village if authorized by the county board of the county in which the unincorporated village is located by resolution in accordance with this section."

Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,356, checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Nebraska

Where locally allowed

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

"(2) An all-terrain vehicle or a utility-type vehicle may be operated in accordance with the operating requirements of subsection (3) of this section: ... (b) Within the corporate limits of a city or village if authorized by the city or village by ordinance adopted in accordance with this section; or (c) Within an unincorporated village if authorized by the county board of the county in which the unincorporated village is located by resolution in accordance with this section."

Conditions

"(a) Outside the corporate limits of a city, village, or unincorporated village if incidental to the vehicle's use for agricultural purposes;"
"(1) An all-terrain vehicle or a utility-type vehicle shall not be operated on any controlled-access highway with more than two marked traffic lanes."
"(iii) Not operate the all-terrain or utility-type vehicle at a speed in excess of thirty miles per hour."
"(ii) Have liability insurance coverage for the all-terrain vehicle or a utility-type vehicle while operating such all-terrain vehicle or utility-type vehicle on a highway; and"
"(i) Between the hours of sunrise and sunset;"

Registration and plates

"All-terrain vehicles and utility-type vehicles which have been modified or retrofitted with after-market parts to include additional equipment not required by sections 60-6,357 and 60-6,358 shall not be registered under the Motor Vehicle Registration Act, nor shall such modified or retrofitted vehicles be eligible for registration in any other category of vehicle defined in the act."

Required equipment (4)

the headlight and taillight of the vehicle shall be on and the vehicle shall be equipped with a bicycle safety flag which extends not less than five feet above ground attached to the rear of such vehicle.
(1) A brake system maintained in good operating condition;
(2) An adequate muffler system in good working condition;
(3) A United States Forest Service qualified spark arrester.

Driver's license

"(i) Have a valid Class O operator's license or a farm permit as provided in section 60-4,126"

Riding in Nebraska

15 off-road parks listed in Nebraska. 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 Nebraska, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,356.

Only where it is allowed locally. In Nebraska, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,356.

Nebraska's law says: "All-terrain vehicles and utility-type vehicles which have been modified or retrofitted with after-market parts to include additional equipment not required by sections 60-6,357 and 60-6,358 shall not be registered under the Motor Vehicle Registration Act, nor shall such modified or retrofitted vehicles be eligible for registration in any other category of vehicle defined in the act."

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