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Department of Safety previews statewide ATV/UTV consolidation in upcoming bill
Summary
The Department of Safety told the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 18 it will present legislation to create a uniform "utility terrain vehicle" category and standardize where off-highway vehicles may be driven across Tennessee.
The Department of Safety told the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 18 it will present legislation (House Bill 810) to make state law consistent on where all-terrain and utility vehicles may be operated.
Elizabeth Stroker, legislative director for the Department of Safety, said the bill “creates a what is called a utility terrain vehicle, which will encapsulate your 4 wheelers, side by sides, off high highway vehicles, all of those things that you consider an ATV or off highway vehicle to be the exact same thing.” She said the measure would allow those vehicles to operate on county and state roads that are not posted above 45 miles per hour and would set a speed limit for the vehicles of 35 mph on such roads.
Stroker said existing requirements remain in place: operators must be at least 16 years old, possess insurance, register the vehicle, and wear a helmet unless the vehicle is exempt from that requirement. She said exceptions for park and farming vehicles would be preserved and that the current penalty structure — a Class C misdemeanor and a $50 fine (fine only) — would remain.
Nut graf: Sponsors and department staff said the bill is intended to replace a patchwork of one- and two-mile authorizations and to create a single, statewide standard governing off-highway vehicle operation on public roads rather than the piecemeal approach used in recent years.
Committee members asked for clarifications about nighttime operation and insurance requirements. Stroker replied that time-of-day restrictions remain — vehicles may not be operated at night (30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after dusk) when many lack lights — and confirmed operators must carry insurance.
Ending: Stroker urged members to familiarize themselves with the text of House Bill 810, which the committee will see next week, saying the measure is intended to simplify and standardize rules across counties and to maintain existing safety and registration requirements.
