Mississippi Street Legal Laws
Off-road vehicles (ATVs) are a part of the lives of many Mississippians. Whether used for work or play, riding an ATV can be dangerous. The state of Mississippi has recognized this fact and has passed regulations to reduce ATV-related injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, many people – including law enforcement officials – are unaware of the applicable laws and mistakenly believe that there is a “grey area” regarding ATV use. This publication explains the rules and laws regarding ATVs and their use. Continuing our series of articles analyzing ATV laws in each state that emerged from this article, this article examines ATV laws in Mississippi. It should also be noted that although I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer and do not give legal advice. If you have any questions, you should consult a local lawyer. You must be of legal age to drive an LSV in Mississippi. You must be of legal age to drive a golf cart in the state of Mississippi.
If you are not yet of legal driving age, you can only drive under the direct supervision of your legal guardian or parent. In Mississippi, cities and counties determine on which, if any, off-road vehicles can be driven. Local ordinances determine which roads are open to ORVs, as well as additional requirements such as helmets, special equipment, intersection policies, and authorized hours of operation. Contact your local VDM or local law enforcement to find out what`s legal in your area. That`s the big question everyone wants the answer to. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer, as it is not addressed by any Mississippi law. It seems to depend on where you live, as in some places you can register your ATV or UTV as a motor vehicle while others don`t, and in some areas, police don`t care where police quickly write tickets in other areas. While there are no clear laws in Mississippi about how golf carts operate under the influence, driving a golf cart while intoxicated is never recommended. As mentioned above, LSV and golf cart laws are different across the country. In addition, the same laws are often amended and updated over time.
Contact local transportation authorities for more information on all updated and updated regulations. (c) “off-highway motorcycle” means a motor vehicle equipped with two (2) or more inflatable tires designed to operate on any terrain and capable of off-highway driving, whether or not the vehicle is legally authorized to operate on a highway. Golf carts, as the name suggests, are built for recreational use on golf courses and for travel on private property. Conversely, an LSV or low-speed vehicle is a vehicle that can be used in neighborhoods and on roads. In fact, an LSV is sometimes referred to as a legal golf cart on the street. Road approval depends on the possibility of registering your ATV or UTV as a motor vehicle. As a starting point, you need to make sure you get a certificate of title, as described above. You`ll also need to make some modifications to ensure you have, if possible, DOT-approved seat belts and headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, horn, and tires. If you are interested, read this tire guide and this guide to road homologation modifications. Imagine driving to Mudslangers or Rattlesnake Bay without needing a truck and trailer to get there. You can head to Tennessee and drive to Windrock Park, or head to Arkansas to explore the winding roads of the Ozarks, all in your street-legal UTV.
Best of all, our team of experts can complete the registration on your behalf, giving you more time to determine where you`re going to drive it first. Any minor driving an LSV in the state of Mississippi is subject to the same motor vehicle accident laws as adult drivers. In this case, however, the adult supervising and accompanying the minor driver assumes full responsibility for any damage caused. All street-legal LSVs must be registered with the Mississippi DMV. For a time, there were no official laws governing the use of golf carts on Mississippi public roads.