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Is Your UTV Street-Legal? Understanding Kentucky’s New Safety and Insurance Requirements.
English Lucas Priest and Owsley, LLP
Kentucky recently introduced new legislation to regulate street-legal special purpose vehicles, which include certain utility task vehicles and side-by-sides that people increasingly operate on public roads. The law creates a new section within KRS Chapter 186 that defines what these vehicles are and establishes mandatory safety equipment, including a roll bar or roll cage and seat belts that meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. Vehicles used primarily for farm or agricultural work are excluded from these requirements. The legislation allows street-legal special purpose vehicles to operate on public highways but places limits on their use, including a prohibition on driving more than twenty miles on highways with centerline pavement markings. It also gives local governments the authority to decide whether to allow these vehicles within their jurisdiction meaning, if your city or county has not passed an ordinance, the vehicles remain illegal to operate there.
To legally operate on public roads, these vehicles must be registered under KRS Chapter 186, and owners must certify that all safety requirements have been met. Beyond roll cages and seat belts mentioned above, vehicles must have:
- Headlamps, tail lamps, and brake lamps.
- Front and rear turn signals.
- A red reflector on the rear.
- A white light illuminating the license plate.
- A horn, muffler, and mirrors on both sides.
- A speedometer that is illuminated for night use.
- Windshield or eye protection.
The vehicles must also undergo an inspection by a certified inspector before the owner can apply for a title. The law sets the registration fee at $10 and the inspection fee at $25. One of the most significant changes concerns insurance: the owner or operator of a street-legal special purpose vehicle must insure the vehicle in the same form and minimum liability amounts required for motorcycles. This creates clear financial responsibility standards and closes prior gaps where many of these vehicles operated without appropriate insurance coverage. For insurance companies, the new law introduces a distinct category of risk that functions similarly to motorcycle coverage. Carriers will now have predictable underwriting standards for these vehicles, which historically have been involved in serious rollovers or visibility-related collisions due to their design and limited safety features compared to passenger cars. Insurers will need to adjust policy forms, rating guidelines, and communication with agents to ensure that motorcycle-level coverage is consistently applied. Because local governments can choose whether to permit these vehicles, regional differences in risk exposure may develop, especially between rural counties that allow them widely and urban areas that may prohibit them completely.
For people injured by one of these vehicles, the law significantly strengthens the ability to recover damages. Mandatory liability insurance means that someone hit by a street-legal special purpose vehicle is far more likely to have access to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Identification of the owner and verification of coverage also become easier because the vehicles must now be registered and titled. Although motorcycle-style policies do not typically include personal injury protection benefits, drivers of traditional motor vehicles involved in a collision will still have access to their own PIP coverage under Kentucky’s no-fault system.
For owners of these vehicles, the new legislation means additional responsibilities. They must ensure their vehicles meet all safety requirements, maintain proper insurance, comply with local ordinances, and undergo inspections and registration before operating on public highways. Failure to comply could result in fines, insurance coverage disputes, or significant liability exposure if an accident occurs. Overall, the law represents Kentucky’s effort to increase safety, reduce uninsured collisions, and provide a consistent framework for the growing number of non-traditional vehicles operating on public roads.
In summary, before pulling out of your driveway make sure to check these items off your list:
- Safety upgrade: Ensure your vehicle has the full required list of safety items.
- Inspection: You have scheduled your inspection with your local Sheriff’s Office.
- Insurance: Contact your agent to secure a policy that meets the same minimums required for motorcycles.
- Registration: Visit the County Clerk to pay your fees and receive your license plate.
Be safe on the roads, accidents can happen in an instant. If you have been injured in an UTV/ATV accident or need help navigating these changes, contact Bob Young at ELPO Law at 270-781-6500 or byoung@elpolaw.com.
