Des Moines, IA – As summer recreation ramps up, Iowa authorities are reminding residents about updated requirements for driving ATVs and UTVs on public roads.
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, drivers must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license, and vehicles must not exceed 35 mph. Headlights are required to be on at all times, and impaired driving remains strictly prohibited.
In addition to driver regulations, all vehicles must be properly registered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, show proof of insurance, and display a slow-moving vehicle sign on the rear. Out-of-state riders must purchase a nonresident user permit sticker for legal road access.
Vehicle classification also matters: ATVs typically feature handlebars and are straddled by 1–2 riders, while UTVs and ORVs include steering wheels and can carry up to six riders on bench or bucket seats. All must be equipped with functioning horns, mirrors, signal lamps, rear lamps, and brake lights.
The law permits operation at any time of day or night, but roadway access is limited to two-lane or county highways for the purpose of reaching a residence, park, or trail. Interstate and four-lane highway usage is prohibited. Multi-lane highway crossings are allowed only at authorized intersections.
Farm use remains an exception. Vehicles used exclusively for agricultural purposes within a two-mile radius are exempt from licensing and registration, though they must still follow time-of-day restrictions and speed limits.
The Iowa State Patrol emphasized the importance of these regulations in a recent social media post, citing a continued rise in off-road vehicle traffic on rural highways.
“Driving an ATV or UTV is not the same as driving a truck,” the post read. “Safety and visibility are critical.”
More information, including full legal requirements, is available at iowadot.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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