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Are side-by-sides street legal in South Carolina?
South Carolina'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 South Carolina
Side-by-side (UTV): No. South Carolina does not allow a side-by-side on public roads.
A new law opens some secondary roads to registered side-by-sides on November 18, 2026.
"The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles reminds residents to tap their brakes with Utility Terrain Vehicle operations on public roads, which is not permitted until November 18 under the newly enacted Act 164."
ATV (quad): South Carolina publishes no road rule for an ATV that we could find. Ask the state DMV or local police before riding a public road.
SCDMV: Registrations for street-legal UTVs starts November (August 17, 2026), checked November 2026.
What do you ride?
Side-by-side (UTV) · South Carolina. No. South Carolina does not allow a side-by-side on public roads.
Side-by-side (UTV) · South Carolina
Not allowedNo. South Carolina does not allow a side-by-side on public roads.
A new law opens some secondary roads to registered side-by-sides on November 18, 2026.
"The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles reminds residents to tap their brakes with Utility Terrain Vehicle operations on public roads, which is not permitted until November 18 under the newly enacted Act 164."
More from South Carolina's law
"Until this law takes effect, I encourage owners to get their vehicles road ready with proper insurance and safety equipment, so we are able to register them come November."
Source: SCDMV: Registrations for street-legal UTVs starts November (August 17, 2026), checked November 2026.
Also read on: South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 2, Article 5 (UTVs), effective November 18, 2026
Find off-road parks to ride without the road questionRiding a dirt bike? Check its road law
A guide to each state's published law, not legal advice. City and county ordinances and posted signs decide which roads are open; the linked law is the authority.
- Each state's own law, quoted
- Side-by-side or ATV
- Conditions, equipment and plates
Riding in South Carolina
29 off-road parks listed in South Carolina. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.
Other states
Side-by-side and ATV road laws in other states
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Common questions
Street legal UTV questions
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