Parts Required to Be Street-Legal in Alaska
Because the only way to make a UTV street-legal in Alaska is to register in another state, getting registered does not involve any parts specific to Alaska.
Thanks to reciprocity agreements between states, a vehicle only needs to have the parts required by the state where it is registered. That means a UTV with an out-of-state registration can be driven on Alaska roads without needing any equipment required by Alaska and without needing to pass an Alaska inspection.
Driving a Street-Legal UTV on Public Roads in Alaska
Because street-legal UTVs are a small niche, local law enforcement may not know that a UTV can be made street-legal in Alaska. While we are not attorneys, we always suggest carrying physical copies of your UTV’s registration and insurance proofs, and being knowledgeable about the ways your vehicle is ready for road use.
Vehicles licensed in other states can be driven in Alaska thanks to registration reciprocity agreements between states. Alaska’s registration reciprocity statute is linked in the resources below. You should not need to worry about title transfer windows if you maintain residency in another state or your UTV is registered to an LLC in another state. In some cases, it might not be possible to transfer your registration to Alaska from another state because of vehicle type mismatches between states.
Keep in mind that street-legal UTVs in Alaska need to observe all laws and rules of the road just as a car would.
Helmet laws in Alaska
Alaska does not have specific helmet laws for UTVs, street-legal or not. Motorcycle riders younger than 18 do need to wear helmets, and while a street-legal UTV does not fit Alaska’s definition of a motorcycle, we would suggest wearing one if you are younger than 18 as this is what local authorities will be most familiar with.
Keep in mind that helmet laws need to be followed on a state-by-state basis. Before you travel, learn the helmet situation in any state you plan to drive in.
Driving a Street-Legal UTV in Alaska’s OHV Areas
Whether your UTV is street-legal or not, if you plan to operate as an off-highway vehicle in Alaska (in OHV areas, public lands, etc.), you should know about the following requirements for OHV use in Alaska.
Registration
OHVs used exclusively on private property in Alaska do not need to be registered with the state, but all others will need to obtain an Alaska Off-Highway Vehicle Registration. Alaska OHV registrations must be obtained in person from a DMV office (see locations). Some OHV areas might have their own permit requirements, so be sure to check ahead before you travel.
Equipment
The following equipment is required for all OHVs operated in Alaska:
Spark arrester
Strong brakes
SAE reflectors on both sides
Mud or snow flap(s) at the rear
Exhaust with no cutouts or bypasses
Throttle with self-closing mechanism
Body panels over moving parts must be intact
Additionally, OHVs must have the following equipment if operated at night:
At least one headlight
At least one red rear taillight
At least one red rear reflector
At least one rear stoplight
Headlight(s) must illuminate at least 100 feet ahead of the vehicle. Rear lights must be visible from at least 1000 feet behind the vehicle. Rear reflector(s) must be visible from at least 600 feet behind the vehicle.
Many OHV areas in the United States require a maximum exhaust volume of about 80-90 decibels. OHV areas within Alaska may have their own requirements regarding equipment, helmet use, engine size restrictions by rider age, or other factors, so be sure to check ahead when you plan to travel.
Alaska does not require helmets for off-highway vehicles.
Learn more
When a Normal UTV Can Be Driven on Alaskan Roads
Hey! This section is about UTVs that have not been made street-legal through the means described above.
For UTVs that have not been made street-legal, using public roads is not allowed in Alaska except when a section of road is designated for OHV use by a local jurisdiction or when snow, ice, or other natural conditions render the road unusable by other vehicles. OHVs may also be driven next to any road (within the maintained right-of-way) except controlled-access highways and where local laws prohibit doing so.
OHVs must always stay more than three feet from the edge of the roadway and cannot enter the shoulder except for crossing purposes.
OHVs can travel in either direction on either side of the road during daylight hours, but at night, OHVs must travel the same direction as traffic in the nearest lane.
Driving on sidewalks, alleys, medians, or the center of a divided highway is never allowed except for crossing purposes.
Crossing Roads
Alaska allows OHVs to cross public roads wherever there is ample visibility to not interfere with traffic. The vehicle must cross at a right angle to the road after coming to a complete stop and must yield to any present traffic. When crossing a bridge or culvert, the vehicle must be kept at the extreme right-hand edge and must not interfere with traffic.
Local Jurisdictions
Towns, cities, boroughs, and other local jurisdictions in Alaska can designate certain roads as open to OHV travel. For example, the city of Nome allows OHVs on streets citywide. Local areas also determine every other aspect of OHV rules which may include prohibiting crossings on certain roads, requiring different equipment than the state does, or by restricting OHV use during certain hours. Be sure to check the local resources of the areas you plan to operate in.
Required Registration
Off-highway vehicles must be registered with the state of Alaska before driving on or across public roads. Registrations can only be obtained from physical DMV offices (see locations). Learn more at Alaska DMV: Snowmachines, ATVs, & Other Off-Highway Vehicles. Local jurisdictions may also require registration for driving next to roads.
Required Equipment
Local jurisdictions decide what equipment is required to use OHVs on their roads, so be sure to check the resources of the areas you plan to drive in. As a baseline, plan on having the equipment listed in the previous section on OHV areas.
Helmet Use
The state of Alaska does not require helmets for occupants of off-highway vehicles.
Passenger Seating
All passengers are required to ride in permanent seats attached to the vehicle.
Laws, Codes, and Other Resources
For questions outside the scope of this guide, try contacting:
