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Are side-by-sides street legal in Virginia?

Virginia'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 Virginia

Side-by-side (UTV): Only where it is allowed locally. In Virginia, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"A. No all-terrain vehicle shall be operated: 1. On any public highway, or other public property, except (i) as authorized by proper authorities, (ii) to the extent necessary to cross a public highway by the most direct route, or (iii) by law-enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel responding to emergencies;"
ATV (quad): Only where it is allowed locally. In Virginia, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"A. No all-terrain vehicle shall be operated: 1. On any public highway, or other public property, except (i) as authorized by proper authorities, (ii) to the extent necessary to cross a public highway by the most direct route, or (iii) by law-enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel responding to emergencies;"

Code of Virginia § 46.2-915.1 All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles; penalty, checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Virginia

Where locally allowed

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

"A. No all-terrain vehicle shall be operated: 1. On any public highway, or other public property, except (i) as authorized by proper authorities, (ii) to the extent necessary to cross a public highway by the most direct route, or (iii) by law-enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel responding to emergencies;"

Conditions

"B. Notwithstanding subsection A, all-terrain vehicles may be operated on the highways in Buchanan County and Tazewell County if the following conditions are met:"
"3. Such all-terrain vehicles are operated during daylight hours on the highway for no more than one mile between one off-road trail and another;"
"7. Such all-terrain vehicles shall operate at speeds of no more than 25 miles per hour."
"3. By any person unless he is wearing a protective helmet of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police for use by motorcycle operators;"
"B. The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance authorize the operation of golf carts and utility vehicles on designated public highways within its boundaries after (i) considering the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using such highways and (ii) determining that golf cart and utility vehicle operation on particular highways is compatible with state and local transportation plans and consistent with the Commonwealth's Statewide Pedestrian Policy provided for in § 33.2-354 ."

Riding in Virginia

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Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

Only where it is allowed locally. In Virginia, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-915.1 All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles; penalty.

Only where it is allowed locally. In Virginia, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: Code of Virginia § 46.2-915.1 All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles; penalty.

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