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Are side-by-sides street legal in Nevada?

Nevada'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 Nevada

Side-by-side (UTV): On some roads. Nevada allows a side-by-side on certain public roads, under the conditions below.
"1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person may operate a large all-terrain vehicle on any portion of a highway that has been designated in accordance with NRS 403.170 as a general county road or minor county road if the large all-terrain vehicle: (a) Meets the requirements set forth in NRS 490.120 ; and (b) Is registered by the Department in accordance with NRS 490.0825 as a motor vehicle intended to be operated upon the highways of this State."
ATV (quad): On some roads. Nevada allows an ATV on certain public roads, under the conditions below.
"3. A person may operate an off-highway vehicle on any public land, trail, way or unpaved county road unless prohibited by the governmental entity which has jurisdiction over the public land, trail, way or unpaved county road."
Dirt bike: Yes, with a plate. Nevada lets you register a dirt bike for public roads if it meets the state's rules.
"Your off-road motorcycle can be converted for use on public roads and highways in Nevada if it meets the following definition:"

NRS Chapter 490 - Off-Highway Vehicles (NRS 490.090 to 490.130, 490.0825, 490.043), checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Nevada

Some roads

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

"1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person may operate a large all-terrain vehicle on any portion of a highway that has been designated in accordance with NRS 403.170 as a general county road or minor county road if the large all-terrain vehicle: (a) Meets the requirements set forth in NRS 490.120 ; and (b) Is registered by the Department in accordance with NRS 490.0825 as a motor vehicle intended to be operated upon the highways of this State."

Conditions

"Large all-terrain vehicle means any all-terrain vehicle that includes seating capacity for at least two people abreast."
"2. The governing body of a city or county within which is located a highway or portion of a highway that has been designated in accordance with NRS 403.170 as a general county road or minor county road may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of large all-terrain vehicles on any portion of such a road."
"3. A person may operate a large all-terrain vehicle on a city street within a city whose population is less than 25,000 or on a portion of a highway that has been designated as a main county road if: (a) The large all-terrain vehicle satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection 1; and (b) The governing body of the city or the governing body of the county having jurisdiction over the street or highway enacts an ordinance or resolution authorizing the operation of large all-terrain vehicles on any portion of such a street or highway."
"3. A person may operate an off-highway vehicle on any public land, trail, way or unpaved county road unless prohibited by the governmental entity which has jurisdiction over the public land, trail, way or unpaved county road."
"An off-highway vehicle may not be operated pursuant to this section: (a) On an interstate highway;"

Registration and plates

"1. Upon the request of an owner of a large all-terrain vehicle, the Department shall register the large all-terrain vehicle to operate on the roads specified in NRS 490.105 . 2. The owner of a large all-terrain vehicle wishing to apply for registration or renewal of registration pursuant to this section must obtain and maintain insurance on the vehicle that meets the requirements of NRS 485.185 ."

Required equipment (5)

At least one headlamp that illuminates objects at least 500 feet ahead of the vehicle;
At least one tail lamp that is visible from at least 500 feet behind the vehicle;
At least one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle, unless the tail lamp is red and reflective;
A stop lamp on the rear of the vehicle; and
A muffler which is in working order and which is in constant operation when the vehicle is running.

Driver's license

"1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, if an off-highway vehicle meets the requirements of this chapter and the operator holds a valid drivers license and operates the off-highway vehicle in accordance with the requirements of those sections, the off-highway vehicle may be operated on a highway in accordance with NRS 490.090 to 490.130 , inclusive."

Riding in Nevada

46 off-road parks listed in Nevada. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

See Nevada 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. Nevada allows a side-by-side on certain public roads, under the conditions below. Source: NRS Chapter 490 - Off-Highway Vehicles (NRS 490.090 to 490.130, 490.0825, 490.043).

On some roads. Nevada allows an ATV on certain public roads, under the conditions below. Source: NRS Chapter 490 - Off-Highway Vehicles (NRS 490.090 to 490.130, 490.0825, 490.043).

Nevada's law says: "1. Upon the request of an owner of a large all-terrain vehicle, the Department shall register the large all-terrain vehicle to operate on the roads specified in NRS 490.105 . 2. The owner of a large all-terrain vehicle wishing to apply for registration or renewal of registration pursuant to this section must obtain and maintain insurance on the vehicle that meets the requirements of NRS 485.185 ."

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