Florida’s UTV Laws Explained
In Florida, the advent of UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles) on roadways other than private property comes with a host of requirements and regulations that vehicle owners should be aware of. Firstly, it is important to understand that UTVs are typically considered as off-road vehicles with limited utility through much of the state. They cannot simply be driven out of the box on public roads in Florida without first being modified in some way.
The Florida laws governing UTVs falls under the general off-road vehicle regulation for ATVs, UTVs and other off-road vehicles that are still dependent on car-like features for their primary propulsion. The Florida statutes define what constitutes an off-road vehicle in two categories: (1) Class I and (2) Class II. Class II vehicles generally require a driver’s license, insurance and other on-road vehicle requirements.
Class II vehicles are defined as: Any four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle that has a capacity for four passengers, has a minimum width of 50 inches and a maximum width of 65 inches and is manufactured for operation primarily on nonroad terrain. The terms does not include golf carts.
A Class II UTV (in Florida it is often called an ATV) can be registered for roadway use if it meets the criteria below:
Registration and Headlights/Brakelights/Turn Signals Requirement In order to operate on Florida roadways , a UTV must be registered with the DMV and pass a mandatory inspection that includes headlights, taillights, turn signals, mirrors and more. The brakelights of a UTV must be "sufficiently brake lighting lamps for the visibility conditions." The exhaust systems must not emit any offensive odors.
Insurance UTV’s must be insured. An OHV needs basic personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and property damage insurance. This is similar to most vehicles licensed in Florida.
Driver’s License Registration and insurance are not the only requirements that UTV owners must be aware of. UTV’s are required to follow all Florida traffic laws, and that includes who is allowed to operate the vehicle. In Florida, drivers must possess a Class E license. Further, anyone who is under the age of 16 must be accompanied by someone over the age of 21 at all times.
Exception for Golf Carts The rules above do have a few exceptions. For example, golf carts are regulated differently in Florida. Golf carts do not need to possess a title and may possess various other exemptions. However, there are still restrictions regarding where the golf cart may be operated. Each municipality or county may pass its own ordinances regulating where golf carts can travel and when.
These regulations are not the only requirements for a UTV in Florida. Vehicle owners should be aware of all of the important elements of operating their vehicle with Florida laws.
Where Is It Legal to Operate a UTV In Florida?
Florida defines a UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) as a small off-road or on-road four wheeled vehicle that can weigh up to 1,200 lbs. or more, have a minimum of 4 wheels or a maximum of 8 wheels, and must be able to travel at speeds of no less than 20 MPH. Florida UTV laws permit a UTV to operate on paved and unpaved roads, common land, and trails. The state of Florida also allows local authority to designate streets, roads, highways, and public lands for UTV operation. Currently, there are designated areas in the following counties: Charlotte, Collier, Flagler, Franklin, Hendry, Hernando, Lake, Lee, Marien, Orange, Polk, Summter, and Volusia counties. In cases where there is a conflict between statutes, local ordinances shall prevail.
Florida UTV Equipment Requirements
These safety and equipment standards are critical for those who wish to comply with the law.
-119.065(3)(c) Any LSV must meet or exceed all applicable Federal Standards for Low Speed Vehicles.
-119.065(5)(a) (I)(3) If the road is unpaved or closed to public vehicles <then the UTV Operator must wear a safety helmet as required by Sec. 316.2085 when operating a UTV.
-119.065(5)(a)(1) Every passenger of a LSV or ATV must wear at all times his or her safety belt as provided in Sec. 316.614.
-119.065(5)(a)(1) No person under the age of 16 years may operate a LSV unless he or she is licensed to drive a motor vehicle in this state.
-119.065(5)(a)(2) No person under the age of 8 years may be a passenger on a LSV unless he or she is secured by a seatbelt or other safety device.
-119.065(5)(b) No passenger shall be seated on any part of an ATV that does not have a seat designed for multiple occupants unless that area of an ATV is secured and protected with a structurally sound Roll Cage.
Florida’s UTV Registration and Insurance Laws
Under Florida state law, UTAVs over 50 inches must have a regular driver’s license to operate. For those with a spouse or children under the age of 14 years, they must have a driver’s license with endorsement of driver as provided in Section 322.17(1).
A vehicle identification number (VIN) and Certificate of Title are required through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Each county’s tax collector’s office can provide this service online. An application is required for the UTAV title and identification number, as well as a $48.25 tax and administrative fee, and an additional $3 for each transaction.
The UTAV must also be registered and insured in order to be driven in Florida. The cost of registration is $7, with an additional value tax according to weight.
Consequences of Florida UTV Law Violations
Most of the time, financial penalties for violating the laws of Florida regarding UTVs are limited to the costs/fees associated with the citation/violation. However, repeat offenders could face additional penalties such as revoked driving privileges. The fees associated with violations of UTV regulations in Florida are relatively minimal, and sited in the following statutes: Whereas some other states have statewide programs that are a little more rigid in the fines issued for violations of motorized vehicle laws, Florida is a bit more lenient in this regard. Furthermore, local municipalities often have a wider range of cost/penalties to choose from. For instance, whereas a minor infraction for not wearing a seat belt is a $20 fine in some states, in Florida, it is only slightly higher at $30. Motorized vehicle violations on unpaved roads outside of established right-of-ways carries a much higher fine at $1,000 or more in many counties throughout Florida. Ultimately , the fines/costs associated with failure to comply with the regulations for UTV operation are relatively minor and very community specific, as opposed to being centrally governed by the state. Whereas a failure to correct the issue after being cited could have far steeper legal consequences in some communities. Already dealing with several tickets from these violations? Already broke a few UTV regulations? Depending on the severity, it’s possible that you could have your driving privileges suspended. Driving on unpaved roads is a major problem in these situations. You don’t want to be the one who loses their privilege to drive because you allowed yourself to get too many tickets. Most traffic violations deal with these types of penalties for the most part in Florida, but if you are caught repeatedly breaking the law in regards to UTVs or ATVs in Florida, you could be facing a suspension of your motor vehicle operator’s license.
Recent Amendments to UTV Laws in Florida
In recent years, the growth of the UTV industry in Florida has led to changes in the legislation governing their use both within the state and while crossing state lines. Until the summer of 2022, Florida law allowed UTVs to be registered and used on most public roads, but riders were required to abide by various safety requirements to do so. Furthermore, each county was granted the authority to determine what roads within their jurisdiction UTVs could be legally operated. In mid-summer, advocates for the change in UTV regulations were able to successfully coordinate efforts with legislators and present a compelling case for the new regulations. As of July 1, 2022, the law dictating where and how UTVs may be used in Florida was amended in favor of safety reform.
The most significant change to Florida’s UTV regulations is permission to drive UTVs on public roads without a specific county permit. The Florida House Bill 1097 which went into effect this summer, allows UTVs and ATVs to be operated on all public roads under the following conditions:
In addition to expanding the places where UTVs may be operated, the law also makes it easier to transport them from one county to another for recreational use. The amendment, however, does not allow for registration of UTVs for on-road use in Florida cities within counties that do not have a dedicated network of off-road roads, such as Miami-Dade County. UTVs not permitted for on-road use in those counties must still be hauled by trailer from one location to another.
For out-of-state motor-vehicle owners, the revised legislation also extends the temporary use for out-of-state UTVs. Commonly, licenses plates are the primary identification of motor vehicles; therefore an out-of-state plate is easy to identify. Starting July 1, 2022, out-of-state individuals who cross into Florida with their UTVs can use these vehicles for leisure and recreation for up to 90 consecutive days.
Safety Tips for Operating a UTV
Operating a UTV in Florida is not much different than operating any other type of motor vehicle. There are additional precautions that one must take when operating a UTV, due to the potential dangers that are presented while utilizing these vehicles. When used correctly, and within the scope of the law, UTVs can be an enjoyable experience. The dangers are present as a result of common misuse of these vehicles, when they are not operated in accordance with the safety measures outlined below.
Buckle up. When operating any vehicle, it is important that all passengers be properly secured to prevent serious injury or death in the event of sudden stops, swerving, or collision with obstacles. By properly securing the seat belts on a UTV, the risk of serious injury or death is diminished.
Wear proper eye protection. UTVs are operated typically outdoors for extended periods of time . When operating a UTV, it is important to keep your eyes protected from harm. Dust, branches, dirt, and other various debris could all pose a serious threat to your eyesight. To protect your eyes, you should consider wearing safety glasses or goggles whenever operating a UTV.
Wear proper protective gear. When operating a UTV, it is important that the operator exercise common sense and wear proper protective gear. Wearing a helmet, gloves, and boots can help minimize injury and damage to the operator if the vehicle is involved in a serious accident or collision.
Stay on designated trails. When riding a UTV, it is also important to use common sense and to remain on the designated trails. Most accidents and injuries occur as a result of riding a UTV off of designated trails. Occupying the space of the trail with others can create serious hazards if proper precautions are not taken.