(1) The governing body of a municipality may regulate in any way the operation of off-road vehicles on a street, street or avenue within municipal boundaries or prohibit it by a legally binding order. Recent changes to state law in 2020 legalized ATV riding on certain public roads, as long as the person driving that vehicle follows certain rules and restrictions. West Virginia`s traffic laws regarding ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides have changed. Under Senate Bill 690, passed in March 2020, drivers can now drive their vehicles on certain public roads with certain restrictions. If you only drive your vehicle on private land, the vehicle only needs to have a title and the following traffic law requirements do not apply. (b) Any parent, guardian or person who has actual responsibility for a child under eighteen years of age and who knows or ought to have known that the child is driving or is an all-terrain vehicle without a helmet, in accordance with the provisions of the first section of this article, is guilty of an offence and, if convicted, the following penalties shall be imposed: ATVs are only legal on roads without a yellow line, and in some areas you can drive up to ten miles from the starting point on any road. West Virginia allows UTVs and certain other off-road vehicles to register as authorized special purpose vehicles (SPVs) on the road. It`s a great option for connecting local hiking trails, but it`s not enough to allow for UTV route approval at all levels. SPV driving distance is limited to just 20 miles, highways and controlled access highways are prohibited, and SPV registration does not provide road legality outside West Virginia. As of February 4, 2020, it will now be possible to make your ATV or UTV street legal in West Virginia. Thanks to Chad Freeman for providing us with the updated legislation! In addition to the requirements described below, you must register and register your ATV or UTV in the same way as registering a motorcycle.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, and in addition to any other remedy for violation of the civil or penal provisions of this Code, any person who contravenes the provisions of this section or of the municipal or district ordinance made under the provisions of the third section of this section, or who knowingly owns or controls and registers an off-highway vehicle; that it is used in violation of it. of the provisions of this article is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding US$ 100 if convicted. West Virginia ATV riders who are injured in driving accidents may legally be entitled to compensation if their accidents are due to another person`s reckless or reckless actions. Once you have installed all the necessary equipment, you will need to have your ATV inspected to ensure that it meets all legal requirements. A new law in West Virginia, Senate Bill 690, states that you must equip your ATV or side-by-side to make it road legal so it can pass inspection. To pass the inspection, ATVs need headlights, turn signals, and even a windshield or pair of goggles, as well as other specifications. For some, these restrictions lead them to seek more traffic legality in West Virginia and beyond, such as registration as a regular passenger vehicle or registration out of state. Let`s look at those options now. (2) On any highway or highway that has a centre line or more than two lanes, except for the purpose of crossing the road, highway or highway, if, In general, you are not allowed to operate an ATV or UTV on a highway in West Virginia. This includes all highways and any road with a centre line or more than two lanes. So basically, you can ride an ATV or UTV on a one- or two-lane road with no center axis. It got to the point where Gravely Polaris started stockpiling turn signal kits and road-approved tires so they wouldn`t have to order them all the time.

Smalley said the typical upgrade to make a side-by-side road legal is $1,000 to $1,500. You are allowed to cross a public road on an ATV or UTV in West Virginia under the following circumstances: ATVs are popular in West Virginia and across the country, but their use can also lead to dangerous accidents. If you own one of these vehicles, you should familiarize yourself with the laws that apply to its use. Compliance with the law will help you avoid ATV accidents as well as the legal penalties that come with non-compliance. The law states that to operate on the road, ATVs and SxS must have certain safety equipment to be legal. Out-of-State Registered Vehicles: West Virginia does not have specific helmet laws for street-approved UTVs registered in other states. Since helmets are mandatory for occupants under the age of 18 in all other circumstances, we recommend that you do the same, as local law enforcement is more familiar with them. On March 7, 2020, the West Virginia State Legislature passed a new law allowing ATVs allowed on the street. This new bill (Senate Bill 690) “came into force” 90 days after its passage. A legal UTV for the West Virginia highway means having the freedom to travel the Hatfield-McCoy trail system without worrying about the roads you can use to connect the segments. You can drive to Blue Ridge Drive, explore a new ORV area, or drive a new HMT segment without taking out the truck and trailer.

It is best to always wear a helmet to protect yourself from head trauma in the event of an accident, even if this is not required by the law on private property. Registration as a special purpose vehicle is a great option for local driving in West Virginia, especially for connecting hiking trails, but SPVs are far from allowed on the road. If you plan to drive your ATV or UTV on the road, you must register it as a “special purpose vehicle legal for the road” under the new law passed in March 2020. For your ATV or UTV to be road legal in West Virginia, it must first be equipped with all of the following devices: j) The owner of a special purpose vehicle operated as a special purpose vehicle approved for the road must ensure that the vehicle is equipped with: Keep in mind that not all SUVs are designed for passengers and it is illegal to carry an additional driver on a Single-driver ATV. (b) An all-terrain vehicle may travel on the emergency lane or as far as practicable to the right of the roadway if the roadway is insufficient for safe travel on any road, highway or highway not exceeding ten miles in subsection (2) (a) of this section, except an interstate highway other than an interstate highway; to travel between a place of residence or accommodation and off-road trails. Fields and areas of operation, including stops for food, fuel, supplies and washrooms, when: BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – ATV DRIVERS CAN NOW HIT THE ROADS WITHOUT FEAR OF A TICKET.