Iowa Street Legal Utv

All cities in Iowa can regulate ATV and UTV traffic within their boundaries, including major and secondary road extensions, but cities are not allowed to charge ATV and ATV owners for the use of their roads. These new laws will also repeal all existing county ordinances. We generally recommend wearing a helmet if a state`s motorcycle law requires it, but Iowa is one of the few states that doesn`t have a motorcycle helmet law. This should mean that local law enforcement doesn`t expect you to wear a helmet in a street-approved UTV, but for safety reasons, we recommend wearing one anyway. Iowa classifies most off-road vehicles, including UTVs and side-by-side vehicles, as off-road vehicles. The state defines them as vehicles “designed primarily for off-road recreational use” and, as such, they cannot be registered as normal on-road vehicles by the Iowa MVD. Riding an ATV or UTV under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. Police say ATV or UTV use is not allowed on other Sioux City streets. Those who violate this law could face a fine of $70. Cyclists must take the most direct route to get to ATV parks and trails, county roads, municipal roads approved for ATV/UTV use, or their own home. The use of two-lane state or county highways is permitted only under these circumstances. In addition, at special events throughout the year, access to ATVs and UTVs from county roads may be restricted as needed.

In Iowa, landowners whose property borders a public road other than a highway can legally drive UTVs and other off-road vehicles between their property line and the side of the road. On roads without hard shoulders, the vehicle must remain at least 5 feet from the side of the road. Continuing our series of articles analyzing ATV laws in each state that emerged from this article, this article examines ATV laws in Iowa. 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. If you are legally able to ride an ATV or UTV on a public road, Iowa law requires you to have insurance. “For example, if we went to western Iowa for a vacation destination and we could go through all the counties without worrying about legal areas or not, I can certainly tell you that we would do some research and do it,” Mulherin said. If your UTV has a roadside permit with an out-of-state registration, or if you are not an Iowa resident, you will need a special DNR non-resident user permit, which is available at the same locations. This is necessary even if you already have a valid ORV registration elsewhere, as Iowa does not offer reciprocity for off-road registrations. In general, it is illegal to operate an ATV or UTV on public roads in Iowa. Despite this, counties or cities may designate roads within their territory that are open to ATV or STV operations. It`s also worth noting that Iowa cities are responsible for how ATV and UTV traffic can operate within city limits, but are not allowed to charge drivers for using city streets.

Interested drivers should therefore make a small clarification in advance to see what is allowed where they want to drive. This new law allows local cities to regulate the operation of ATVs and UTVs in their communities. At this time, Sioux City has no ordinances limiting or allowing the use of ATVs or ATVs on city streets beyond what is provided for in the new state law. “As someone who lives in Des Moines, I don`t want ATVs and UTVs on the streets of Des Moines,” Maxwell said. “I understand that it works well in small communities, and we have no problem with that. But there is no one-size-fits-all solution. An ATV or UTV can directly cross a public road with the following conditions: If you want to drive Manawa or Lakeview without needing a truck and trailer to get there, or if you just want to drive around the neighborhood with the wind in your hair, a legal UTV for the street opens up a world of possibilities. If the thought of the DMV makes you feel helpless, let our team of experts record you side-by-side on your behalf and use the extra time to plan your next adventure.

This website is owned and operated by Huntley Law. However, nothing herein shall be construed as legal advice and shall not be construed as creating an attorney-client relationship. It participates in the Amazon Services LLC affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program that offers websites the opportunity to earn advertising fees through advertising and Amazon.com links. This website also participates in other affiliate programs and is paid to direct traffic and business to these companies. Iowa cities regulate ATV/UTV traffic within their municipal boundaries, including major and secondary road extensions. However, Iowa cities are not allowed to charge ATV/UTV owners for the use of city streets. It “would allow ATVs and UTVs to operate on non-interstate major highways on the most direct and accessible route between a park or ATV trail, a county road, and an urban road intended for use by ATVs and UTVs.” One of the most important things about summer is gardening. As heat and humidity increase, so do plants and flowers. The advent of technology has made sowing and fertilizing a task that used to be. In addition, it is illegal to discharge a firearm from an ATV or UTV unless you are a non-ambulatory person pursuing legally and the ATV or ATV is not moving at the time of discharge. If your ATV or UTV is registered in another state, you do not need to register it in Iowa, but you must obtain a DNR non-resident user license.

A non-resident can only obtain a permit for an ATV or UTV. The approval should appear on the back of your ATV or UTV. To drive an ATV or UTV on Iowa roads, the person must be 18 years old, have a valid driver`s license, and have valid proof of insurance. ATV/UTV owners must keep the following operational on the vehicle: The Iowa State County Association and the Iowa State County Supervisors Association also oppose it because they want local governments to retain control over ATV use. The change allows ATV and UTV owners to ride in all 99 counties.