Street Legal Vehicles in Alabama
Each state has reciprocal registration laws that allow out-of-state registered vehicles to be driven on their roads without cause for concern. These are the laws that allow you to drive your car across state borders without making any changes, and Alabama`s reciprocal registration law is no different from any other state`s. At the same time, we know that out-of-state registration is a common way to get registration and license plate for a legal UTV for the street. But given that Alabama based its position strictly on the original manufacture of a vehicle as an all-terrain machine, we`re not sure local law enforcement would allow a UTV on their roads, even if it was legally registered in another state. In summary, we would like to emphasize that, both in this opinion and in the previous opinion, we believe that vehicles specifically designated by their manufacturers as off-road vehicles should not be used on the roads and highways of this State. (1) Off-road vehicles (ATVs). Any motor vehicle 50 inches wide or less, dry mass of 1,200 pounds or less, designed to operate with three or more off-road tires and manufactured for off-road use by a single driver or driver and not more than one passenger, according to the manufacturer`s specifications. The noise level must not exceed 80 decibels between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on public roads In plain language, Alabama law states that UTVs and other machines originally manufactured as SUVs are not allowed to use public roads in the state. The law does not focus on the parts that were added to bring the vehicle into compliance, but on what the vehicle was originally designed for.
Alabama Law 32-12A-1 confirms this notion by characterizing off-road recreational vehicles as “designed and manufactured … for off-road use. Low-speed vehicles can be driven on designated roads in Alabama as long as the driver meets certain requirements. Alabama also has laws that cover lighting options and window tint used to modify vehicles. Because golf carts don`t have the safety features to make them legal on the road, they can`t be driven on public roads in Alabama. It is also illegal to drive golf carts on sidewalks. If a person is caught on a road in Alabama in a golf cart that has not been modified to include the necessary safety features, and if it is not registered, the driver can be fined up to $700. In Alabama, it`s optional to register your UTV or OHV with the state for private or public off-road use. The recording of public use also includes private use. While this registration is not mandatory, some ORV regions may require you to have it, so check ahead to see if you plan to travel.
Motorized vehicles are not permitted on Alabama`s public sand dunes or beaches unless otherwise noted. It is these safety features that make slow vehicles DOT and DMV approved, and their absence results in golf carts not being approved. The registration of a UTV as a roadside approval by the State of Alabama would involve both the technical issue of passing a full safety inspection and the practical issue of attempting to allow an off-road vehicle to be roadworthy in a state that has expressly prohibited it from using public roads. In short, it will not work. Due to the wording of Alabama laws, driving UTVs on public roads in Alabama is at the operator`s risk, regardless of how and where they are registered. Alabama registration of a side-by-side road approval is impossible due to the state`s unique way of handling SUVs, and out-of-state registration is possible but not recommended for the reasons described below. The crucial factor in answering your question is that the vehicles in question are specifically designed for off-road use and are not certified by the manufacturers for on-road use. While these views preceded modern and side-by-side UTVs by decades, they have formed the cornerstone of Alabama`s laws and regulations for all off-road vehicles from yesterday to today.
The traffic rules for low-speed vehicles are the same as for cars. It is illegal for the driver to drink and drive his LSV. It is also illegal to drive a vehicle at low speeds under the influence of alcohol. If a person is caught driving while intoxicated, they will be arrested and charged with impaired driving. (2) Off-road vehicles. Any motorized vehicle that is not designed for use on a road and is capable of driving on land, snow, ice, swamps, marshes or other natural terrain. The term includes all off-road vehicles and off-road recreational vehicles. The term excludes any golf cart; any vehicle used for military, fire, emergency or law enforcement purposes; any motorboat; all vehicles used exclusively on airport premises; all agricultural machinery, agricultural tractors and other self-propelled equipment for harvesting and transporting forest products, for grubbing up land intended for planting, supply, maintenance, earthmoving, construction or mining; and self-propelled lawn mowers, snow blowers, and lawn or garden tractors, all of which are used exclusively for their intended purpose.
The term does not cover motor vehicles for which a certificate of ownership is required under Chapter 8. The driver must not only have a valid driver`s license, but also have registered the LSV with the DMV. To legally register a LSV, the driver must take out liability insurance. If the owner drives their LSV, they must always have their driver`s license, registration and proof of insurance with them. If a driver is caught on a public road without the necessary documents, he will be fined. It is illegal to ride an ATV or UTV on public roads in Alabama. Specifically, Alabama prohibits on public roads all “vehicles specifically designed by their manufacturers as off-road vehicles.” Although golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs) look similar, they are different. Unmodified golf carts can reach speeds of 15 to 20 MPH, while slow vehicles can reach speeds of 20 to 25 MPH.
In addition, low-speed vehicles have safety features that golf carts do not have. If you were driving a street-approved UTV in Alabama, all occupants would probably have to wear helmets and shoes. This comes straight from Alabama Law 32-5A-245, which requires helmets and footwear for all motorcyclists except those riding in an enclosed cab. While a legal UTV on the street doesn`t meet the Alabama definition of a motorcycle, as we noted earlier, and while some UTVs have closed taxis, this law is what local authorities are most familiar with. Whether you`ve just bought a new car, recently moved to the state, or are passing through, you need to know if your modifications are legal on Alabama roads. For those who live in the area or are simply visiting, there are laws you should follow in your vehicle modifications to make sure you don`t break the laws when driving on Alabama roads. An autonomous vehicle that is not designed for use on a highway but is explicitly designated by the manufacturer as an “off-road vehicle” should not be equipped with a vehicle licence plate. Such a vehicle is not permitted for use on state roads and highways, and the use of such a vehicle on public roads is prima facie a violation of S32-5A-190 – reckless driving.