Kentucky counties and towns can begin licensing ATVs for street use

As of today, a recently passed Kentucky bill makes it legal for residents to drive specifically equipped ATVs, UTVs and other special purpose vehicles on Kentucky's roads.

But first, these SLSPVs (street-legal special purpose vehicles) must meet certain safety requirements, and local governments must decide to opt in and how to implement this law in their communities.  

For example, the Lyon County Sheriff's office posts that the Lyon County Fiscal Court has not yet passed an ordinance to allow this within the county. Even though the state law is in effect, it is still illegal to operate them on the roadway until an ordinance is passed by the Lyon County Fiscal Court. They added that Eddyville and Kuttawa will also have to pass an ordinance to operate them on city streets.

The Lyon County Fiscal Court will present a first reading of such an ordinance on July 10 at the Fiscal Court meeting. Check with your county and city officials to see if and when they may address the new law.

The same actions will have to take place in other counties and communities for those vehicles to be allowed on local roads.

There are several things your vehicle will need in order to pass inspection according to Kentucky Senate Bill 63:

a. One or more headlamps;
b. One or more tail lamps;
c. One or more brake lamps;
d. A trail lamp or other lamp constructed and placed to illuminate the registration plate with a white light;
e. One or more red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle;
f. An amber electric turn system, one on each side of the front of the vehicle;
g. Amber or red electric turn signals on the rear of the vehicle;
h. A braking system, other than a parking brake;
i. A horn or other warning device;
j. A working muffler;
k. Rear view mirrors on the right and left side of the driver;
l. A windshield, unless the operator of the vehicle wears eye protection while operating the vehicle;
m. A speedometer, illuminated for nighttime operation;
n. A roll bar or roll cage;
o. For multi-passenger vehicles a seatbelt assembly that conforms to the federal motor vehicle safety standard provided in 49 C.F.R. sec. 571.209 for each designated seating position; and
p. Tires that have at least two thirty-seconds (2/32) of an inch or greater tire tread.

All of these safety requirements will be verified by a certified inspector. The cost of inspection is $25. 

To read more on the bill and for other important restrictions click here.