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Are side-by-sides street legal in New Mexico?

New Mexico'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 New Mexico

Side-by-side (UTV): Only where it is allowed locally. In New Mexico, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"Only ATVs and ROVs (side-by-sides, SxS) can be operated on specific paved roads within communities only as authorized by passage of a local ordinance or State Transportation Commission resolution allowing such use."
ATV (quad): Only where it is allowed locally. In New Mexico, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"Only ATVs and ROVs (side-by-sides, SxS) can be operated on specific paved roads within communities only as authorized by passage of a local ordinance or State Transportation Commission resolution allowing such use."

New Mexico Department of Wildlife: OHV Laws and Rules, checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · New Mexico

Where locally allowed

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

"Only ATVs and ROVs (side-by-sides, SxS) can be operated on specific paved roads within communities only as authorized by passage of a local ordinance or State Transportation Commission resolution allowing such use."

Conditions

"Unless there is an ordinance or resolution in place, it remains illegal to operate an ATV or ROV on paved roads and highways!"
"Interstates, US Highways & State Highways within municipalities and counties with an ordinance/resolution are not open to OHV travel."
"A. A person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle on any: (1) limited access highway or freeway at any time; or (2) paved street or highway except as provided in Subsection B, C, D or E of this section."
"(5) the operator of the vehicle is wearing eye protection that complies with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act; and (6) if the operator is under eighteen years of age, the operator is wearing a safety helmet that complies with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act."
"These resolutions can open a specific portion of a State Highway for ROVs only (no ATVs, OHMs or Snowmobiles) and must have signage indicating where the ROV route begins and ends."

Registration and plates

"On paved roads, unless authorized by a local ordinance or resolution, with a New Mexico Paved Road Permit ($7) or out-of-state street registration plate or decal."

Required equipment (2)

(1) the vehicle has one or more headlights and one or more taillights that comply with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act;
(2) the vehicle has brakes, mirrors and mufflers;

Driver's license

"(3) the operator has a valid driver's licenses or permits as required under the Motor Vehicle Code and off-highway motor vehicle safety permits as required under the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act;"

Riding in New Mexico

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Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

Only where it is allowed locally. In New Mexico, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: New Mexico Department of Wildlife: OHV Laws and Rules.

Only where it is allowed locally. In New Mexico, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: New Mexico Department of Wildlife: OHV Laws and Rules.

New Mexico's law says: "On paved roads, unless authorized by a local ordinance or resolution, with a New Mexico Paved Road Permit ($7) or out-of-state street registration plate or decal."

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