If you own a side by side (SxS or UTV), you’ve probably wondered: Can I drive this thing on the street? It’s a question we hear all the time, and the truth is—it depends. Some states make the process relatively simple, others make it nearly impossible, and many leave the decision to counties or municipalities.
In this article, we’ll answer this question directly for four states where people ask us the most: Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. We’ll also cover the general rules across the U.S., the modifications required to make a UTV street legal, and how using a registered agent or specialized service can save you time, money, and frustration at the DMV.
The Big Picture: Street-Legal Side by Sides in the U.S.
Across the United States, the laws governing street-legal side by sides are anything but consistent.
- States that allow it: Places like Arizona, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah permit UTVs to be registered as street legal if they meet certain safety and equipment standards.
- States that prohibit it: California, New York, and several others outright ban side by sides from public road use, except in narrow cases like agriculture or crossing roads.
- States with mixed laws: Some allow counties or municipalities to decide. Others restrict UTVs to specific types of roads, often with speed caps.
For a deeper dive, World Population Review breaks down UTV and ATV laws state by state.
Regardless of location, most states that allow street-legal UTVs require extensive modifications, such as lights, mirrors, a horn, seat belts, and insurance coverage. And even when legal, UTVs are almost always banned on interstate highways.
And here’s where Dirt Legal comes in: even in states that appear the strictest, we have solutions to help owners make their side by sides legal.
| State | Street Legal Status | Requirements | Restrictions | Dirt Legal Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Limited, depends on local ordinances | Registration, insurance, lights, mirrors, signals, safety equipment | No state highways; county-level approval only | We provide compliance and registration support even where rules are restrictive |
| Virginia | Extremely restrictive | Agricultural exemptions or local authorization only | No general road use; almost impossible without special approval | Dirt Legal specializes in solutions for strict states where most owners hit dead ends |
| North Carolina | Mixed, county-level ordinances | Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, seat belts, windshield, insurance | Limited to local or low-speed roads; no interstate highways | We guide owners through county-specific rules and registration pathways |
| Oklahoma | Generally permissive | Street-legal kit (lights, mirrors, horn, seat belts, plate) + registration & insurance | No interstate highways; restricted to county or lower-speed roads | We streamline the process, ensuring paperwork and compliance are done right |
How to Make a Side by Side Street Legal
If your state allows it—or if you choose to register in a state that does—the steps are usually the same.
- Add Required Equipment
- Headlights and taillights
- Brake lights and turn signals
- Side mirrors and rearview mirror
- Horn
- Windshield
- Seat belts
- License plate bracket and light
- Headlights and taillights
- Get the Proper Documentation
- Registration and license plate
- Proof of liability insurance
- Driver’s license (sometimes a safety course is required)
- Registration and license plate
- Understand the Restrictions
- No interstate highways
- Road use often limited to local or lower-speed routes
- Extra documentation may be required for kit-built or heavily modified vehicles
- No interstate highways
Why Many Owners Use a Registered Agent or Specialized Service
Even if you know the law, making a side by side street legal can be complicated. That’s where a registered agent or specialized vehicle registration service comes in.
- They handle the paperwork with the DMV.
- They ensure compliance with equipment and documentation requirements.
- They save time and hassle, eliminating the need for you to navigate confusing state rules.
Montana-based registration services have become especially popular nationwide. Montana law allows flexibility in registering vehicles—including UTVs—for street use, and owners across the U.S. rely on this system to make their machines road-ready.
Yes, you can call a registered agent or a specialized vehicle registration service, and they will handle everything required to make your side by side street legal and submit your paperwork to the DMV.
Final Verdict
So, can a side by side be street legal? Yes—but it depends.
- In Ohio, you’re limited to narrow local approvals.
- In Virginia, it’s almost impossible.
- In North Carolina, it depends on your county.
- In Oklahoma, it’s comparatively easy.
The bigger picture? With the right modifications, documentation, and registration service, you can drive your UTV legally on the street in many parts of the U.S.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start driving, let us handle it for you. At Dirt Legal, we take care of the red tape, the paperwork, and the DMV so you can enjoy your side by side where it belongs—on the open road.
Ready to make your side by side street legal?
Stop worrying about county rules and DMV roadblocks. At Dirt Legal, we handle the modifications, documentation, and registration so you don’t have to.
Start your street-legal process today with Dirt Legal.
