IT PASSED!
Last summer Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’ set out to attempt to get legislation passed that would allow us to register our trail rigs as “fullsized ATV’s”. We hired Mike Swenson (with Swenson Strategies and USA-All) to help with our efforts. Yesterday, our bill (House Bill 148) passed the House,and today it passed the Senate. Both votes were un-apposed! Now the bill will go to the Governor for signing, which we expect in the next few weeks. The Utah State Patrol will then revise the inspection manual. Hopefully, this will all be completed in the next few months.
Once this all happens, we will be able to register our rigs for highway use. Weather you have a “semi-street legal” jeep or a tube buggy,you will be able to register it as an ATV. There are some restrictions of course, but this law should allow most of us to drive from our home or hotel to the trail head without fear of being pulled over. It will also help the inspection stations, as it provides a legal avenue for passing inspection. And it should help reduce congestion at many trailheads, which can quickly become clogged up from tow rigs and trailers.
Without writing down the entire law, here are some of the basic requirements that must be met to register your rig as a full-sized ATV:
· Headlights with hi-low beams, turn signals,brake lights, back-up lights, side marker lights, and all other lights as outlined in the general safety manual.
· Basic safety requirements as outlined in the safety manual, such as working brakes, mirrors, horn, seatbelts, speedometer,muffler, etc.
· A windshield is not required (you must wear goggles or glasses if no windshield) but if you do have one, it must be glass or poly (no plexiglass) and have wipers.
· The frame height requirements as outlined in the safety manual apply.
· 92 inches maximum width (outside of tires).
· Maximum seat height of 50 inches.
· Maximum tire size of 44”. (Non-DOT stickies will be allowed, as will beadlocks).
· Fenders are not required.
· Mudflaps are not required.
· Full-hydro steering is allowed.
· Safety inspection required first year, and there after as outlined in the general inspection manual.
· Insurance is required.
· Maximum speed limit is 45 mph. Vehicles cannot operate on Interstate freeways.
I’m sure I’m forgetting something,but this is the basic stuff. If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to find the answers for you.
This would not have been possible without the help of many people, and I’d like to give special thanks to the following: All the members of Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’, who supported this idea from the beginning and provided the majority of financial backing to make this happen. Mike Swenson for helping to write the bill and pushing it throughthe system. Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association and Red Rock 4-Wheelers for their generous donations, as well as many individuals (you know who you are!) for your financial help. Without your donations, we never would have been able to pull this off.
I will do my best to provide updates as the law becomes official, but we can expect to be able to take advantage of this hopefully by summer.
This may be a small victory of 4-wheeldrive enthusiasts, but it just goes to show that we can make good things happen if we try hard enough!
Last summer Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’ set out to attempt to get legislation passed that would allow us to register our trail rigs as “fullsized ATV’s”. We hired Mike Swenson (with Swenson Strategies and USA-All) to help with our efforts. Yesterday, our bill (House Bill 148) passed the House,and today it passed the Senate. Both votes were un-apposed! Now the bill will go to the Governor for signing, which we expect in the next few weeks. The Utah State Patrol will then revise the inspection manual. Hopefully, this will all be completed in the next few months.
Once this all happens, we will be able to register our rigs for highway use. Weather you have a “semi-street legal” jeep or a tube buggy,you will be able to register it as an ATV. There are some restrictions of course, but this law should allow most of us to drive from our home or hotel to the trail head without fear of being pulled over. It will also help the inspection stations, as it provides a legal avenue for passing inspection. And it should help reduce congestion at many trailheads, which can quickly become clogged up from tow rigs and trailers.
Without writing down the entire law, here are some of the basic requirements that must be met to register your rig as a full-sized ATV:
· Headlights with hi-low beams, turn signals,brake lights, back-up lights, side marker lights, and all other lights as outlined in the general safety manual.
· Basic safety requirements as outlined in the safety manual, such as working brakes, mirrors, horn, seatbelts, speedometer,muffler, etc.
· A windshield is not required (you must wear goggles or glasses if no windshield) but if you do have one, it must be glass or poly (no plexiglass) and have wipers.
· The frame height requirements as outlined in the safety manual apply.
· 92 inches maximum width (outside of tires).
· Maximum seat height of 50 inches.
· Maximum tire size of 44”. (Non-DOT stickies will be allowed, as will beadlocks).
· Fenders are not required.
· Mudflaps are not required.
· Full-hydro steering is allowed.
· Safety inspection required first year, and there after as outlined in the general inspection manual.
· Insurance is required.
· Maximum speed limit is 45 mph. Vehicles cannot operate on Interstate freeways.
I’m sure I’m forgetting something,but this is the basic stuff. If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to find the answers for you.
This would not have been possible without the help of many people, and I’d like to give special thanks to the following: All the members of Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’, who supported this idea from the beginning and provided the majority of financial backing to make this happen. Mike Swenson for helping to write the bill and pushing it throughthe system. Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association and Red Rock 4-Wheelers for their generous donations, as well as many individuals (you know who you are!) for your financial help. Without your donations, we never would have been able to pull this off.
I will do my best to provide updates as the law becomes official, but we can expect to be able to take advantage of this hopefully by summer.
This may be a small victory of 4-wheeldrive enthusiasts, but it just goes to show that we can make good things happen if we try hard enough!
