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County discusses opting in to special-purpose vehicle law for ATVs and UTVs
Summary
Fiscal court discussed SINF Bill 63, which would allow certain ATVs, UTVs and similar vehicles to be made street-legal on designated roads; members debated inspection, registration fees, local control and community impacts but took no final opt-in vote.
Nicholas County fiscal court spent an extended portion of its meeting discussing SINF Bill 63, a special-purpose vehicle statute that counties may opt into. The statute would allow certain off‑road and multi‑purpose vehicles to be street‑legal on roads selected by the county and would impose equipment and inspection standards.
Court counsel and members outlined key provisions: such vehicles must be equipped with specified safety features (headlamps, tail lamps, brake lamps, etc.), are subject to an annual registration fee ($10) and an inspection fee (cited in the transcript as $25), and would still require inspection even if a county chooses not to opt in because riders often travel between counties. Members noted that agricultural vehicles used primarily for farm purposes are exempt.
Discussion focused on local control (counties may allow SPVs on some roads but not countywide), the ability to set stricter standards than the state, potential noise and public‑nuisance concerns, and the impracticality of allowing SPVs on interstates. Several members said they did not intend to make an immediate decision and that sample ordinances exist for further review. No formal opt-in or opt-out vote was recorded during this meeting.
