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One of the few states in the US that allows ATVs and UTVs to be registered and be street-legal, Montana is quite famous among ATV enthusiasts who wish to drive their toys on public roads. How is this possible, you ask? Before we get to the specifics about making an ATV or UTV street legal in Montana, there are some important things that you must know, such as:
- Is there any law in Montana that allows for ATVs or UTVs to be street legal?
- How does Montana’s law formally classify an ATV or UTV?
- Can an ATV or UTV be street-legal in Montana?
- What are the requirements to make an ATV or UTV street-legal?
- What are the operational and safety requirements when driving a street-legal ATV or UTV in Montana?
- Where can I drive my street-legal ATV or UTV in Montana?
- I am not a resident of Montana, can I still register my vehicle in this state?
Montana Legal Classification of ATVs and UTVs
As with most other states in the US, ATVs and UTVs are also called “off-highway vehicles” in Montana. Under the Montana Code Annotated 2021, these are defined as “self-propelled vehicles used for recreation or cross-country travel on public lands, trails, easements, lakes, rivers, or streams.” It encompasses land transportation that are powered by anything besides wind or human muscle, and includes, but is not limited to:
- motorcycles
- quadricycles
- dune buggies
- amphibious vehicles, or
- air cushion vehicles
It, however, does not include the following types:
- vehicles designed primarily for travel on, over, or in the water,
- snowmobiles, or
- motor vehicles designed to transport persons or property on the highways unless the vehicle is used for off-road recreation on public lands.
Motorcycles and 3-wheel OHV’s
By now you might be asking why there was no mention of ATVs and UTVs in the definitions. This is where Montana differs from other states: the definitions of the vehicles, as provided by the same code we mentioned above. In this state, a motorcycle is a motor vehicle with a seat or saddle used by an operator with no more than three wheels on the ground. It may also transport a passenger, provided there is an attachment or seat for said passenger.
Does this definition ring any bells? It should! This is how your three-wheeled ATV is classified in this state. And as with any other typical motorcycle you may think of, it can be driven on highways, but if designed for off-road use, as with most ATVs, it must be modified to meet the state’s equipment standards and be registered for highway use.
Quadricycles: 4-Wheel OVHs (Most ATVs & UTV)
Unlike a three-wheel vehicle, a four-wheeler does not meet the definition of a motorcycle according to Montana law as outlined above. Instead, Montana uses the term quadricycles, or four-wheeled motor vehicles with a seat or a saddle for the driver that are designed both for on-road and off-road use. This therefore applies to most ATVs and UTVs. It’s worth noting that this does not apply to golf carts.
Can an ATV or UTV be street-legal in Montana?
With the legal definitions out of the way, the short answer for the question above is YES. An ATV or a UTV, classified as a quadricycle, may be street-legal in Montana if it meets certain requirements (see below). Note that the requirements differ slightly for ATVs compared to UTVs (aka Side-By-Sides).
ATVs: What are the requirements to make an ATV street-legal in Montana?
In order to drive your ATV legally on public roads in the state of Montana, you must comply with the following requirements:
1. Paperwork
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of Title
- Registration
- License plate
2. Parts
- Headlamp
- must have at least one but not more than two
- Taillamps
- Rear reflectors
- must have at least one red rear reflector that is visible at night from distances within 300 feet to 50 feet
- Stop lamps
- must have at least one but not more than two
- Signal lamps
- two red or amber signal lamps each to the front and rear of the vehicle
- Brakes
- Horns
- must be audible from a distance of not less than 200 feet
- Mufflers
- Spark arrester
- Mirrors
- Tires
- must be solid rubber or pneumatic
The requirements listed above are almost the same as the requirements that any vehicle must satisfy in order to be considered legal for use on public streets. So if your ATV is missing an electric horn or exhaust muffler, then you must add these parts in order to make the ATV street legal in Montana.
Before taking your vehicle out on the road, it is essential to check that it satisfies each of these requirements to the best of your ability. Infractions of these regulations can result in monetary fines or even legal trouble if they are not followed. Always make sure that your vehicle is kept in good condition and that it has undergone all of the required inspections and registrations at the appropriate times.
UTVs: What are the requirements to make a UTV street-legal in Montana?
In Montana, you will need to comply with the requirements below for your UTV be registered as street-legal.
1. Paperwork
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of Title
- Registration
- License plate
2. Parts
- Headlamp
- must have at least one but not more than two
- Taillamps
- Rear reflectors
- must have at least one red rear reflector that is visible at night from distances within 300 feet to 50 feet
- Stop lamps
- must have at least one but not more than two
- Signal lamps
- two red or amber signal lamps each to the front and rear of the vehicle
- Brakes
- Horns
- must be audible from a distance of not less than 200 feet
- Mufflers
- Spark arrester
- Mirrors
- Tires
- must be solid rubber or pneumatic
- Seatbelts
As with the ATV street-legal registration requirements, the above prerequisites are virtually the same for any street-legal vehicle, not just UTVs. Because the vehicle must comply with these requirements, not only is it guaranteed to be safe and visible on the road, but also that it satisfies all the prerequisite regulations for registration and operation. Before taking the vehicle out on the road, it is essential to perform a thorough check to ensure that each of these components has been correctly installed and is operating as intended.
What are the operational and safety requirements when driving a street-legal ATV or UTV in Montana?
When driving an ATV or UTV on public roads in Montana, you are required to adhere to the following operational and safety requirements:
- Driver’s License
- operators of motorcycles must have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license.
- Helmets
- Riders under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets whenever they are on public roads or highways in this state. The headgear must also meet the standards set by the DOJ
- Vehicle capacity
- Unless the vehicle is designed for more than one rider or another seat has been firmly attached to the rear or side, the operator may not carry a passenger.
Where can I drive my street-legal ATV, UTV or other OHV in Montana?
In general, street-legal ATVs, UTVs, and all OHVs are allowed on most public roads in Montana.
However, as the local governments in Montana have been authorized to enact their own regulations governing off-highway vehicles, there may be some municipalities and counties that may not allow off-highway vehicles on some specific roads. It is best to conduct your own research into the rules and regulations in the area in which you intend to operate.
If my ATV or UTV is registered as “street legal” in Montana, can I drive it on the roadways in other states?
In many cases, YES. Many states honor “Registration Reciprocity” meaning that even if a vehicle cannot be registered in their state, they will accept another state’s registration as valid.
Please note though that this is a state-by-state situation as each state has different laws so it’s not possible to give blanket advice here. That said, drivers of OHVs in Montana can generally ride their registered OHV on the roadways in other states too so long as those states accept the Montana registration via reciprocal agreement. Click here to view ATV & UTV laws in other states.
I am not a resident of Montana; can I still register my vehicle in this state?
If you live in a state that does not allow the registration of your ATV or UTV to be street-legal, and if your state honors “Registration Reciprocity” with other states, then registering your vehicle in Montana may be a way to legally register your OHV to effectively make it street legal to drive in your home state, or another state.
Out-of-state registration of UTVs and ATVs is a detailed and nuanced topic though, and requires more specific advisement to your individual situation than we can provide in this article. As such, we have partnered with Dirtlegal.com. DirtLegal.com helps drivers to register their ATVs and UTVs in “street legal” states like Montana, so that they can be driven on roadways in other states that honor Registration Reciprocity.
Get STREET LEGAL with DirtLegal.com
Conclusion
Montana is one of the few states in the US that allows ATVs and UTVs to be registered and driven on public roads. To do so, there are specific requirements and regulations that you as an ATV or UTV operator must fulfill and abide by. While there are operational and safety requirements to follow, such as having a driver’s license and wearing helmets, Montana offers ample opportunities to enjoy street-legal ATVs, UTVs, and other OHVs on most public roads. And for those residing outside Montana, registering an ATV or UTV in the state may provide a legal avenue for street use, depending on registration reciprocity agreements with their home state.
However, keep in mind that even if you were successful in getting your vehicle registered as street-legal, there is still a chance that law enforcement officers will pull you over for an inspection at some point, since most OHVs are not registered for roadway usage. This is something that you should not forget. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you might be stopped by law enforcement, you should always make sure that you have the documentation you need ready to prove that your vehicle is street legal and in compliance with the local laws.
Keep yourself informed about any updates or changes that have been made to the laws, and if you need the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult the Montana Department of Transportation or your local authorities. With the right preparation and compliance, the thrill of off-road adventures can seamlessly transition onto Montana’s streets, allowing enthusiasts to explore the state’s diverse landscapes while remaining in full compliance with the law.
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