Van Buren County judge issues executive order allowing limited UTV use on county roads

County Judge Dale James on June 18 signed an executive order authorizing the operation of utility task vehicles (UTVs) on designated public streets and qualifying state highways within unincorporated Van Buren County, citing authority granted by Act 922 of 2025.

In a reading of the order by Clerk Carol Cruise, the judge invoked the state statute and laid out definitions and limits: a UTV is a vehicle 80 inches or less in width that travels on four or more low-pressure tires, has a steering wheel, non-straddle seating and rollover protection. The order excludes golf carts, riding lawn mowers, garden tractors and certain all-terrain vehicles as defined by Arkansas Code Annotated 27-21-102.

The order permits UTV operation on county roads and qualifying state highways except where posted speed limits exceed 54 miles per hour, on divided four-lane highways, or within state parks. It requires functional equipment (two headlamps, at least one brake light and seat belts); a valid driver’s license; vehicle registration under Arkansas Code Annotated 27-14-701 et seq.; display of a registration decal on the driver-side roll bar; and liability insurance meeting the standards for private passenger motor vehicles under Arkansas Code Annotated 23-89-201 et seq. The order references enforcement provisions and sets violation as a class C misdemeanor under Act 922 of 2025, Section 5.

Judge James said the order is intended to “attract tourists, bolster recreational opportunities, and stimulate economic growth.” He noted the order will be monitored over the next two to three months for any operational issues and said the county will consider adjustments — including raising the 54 mph threshold to 55 mph — if problems arise.

The judge also addressed a provision that had appeared in an earlier draft: “I until prior to this meeting, I didn't realize that rear-facing turn signals, which were on the draft of the executive order, were an aftermarket product. So, that has been omitted,” he said after signing the order.

When asked whether farmers who use side-by-sides to reach fenced property would be prevented from doing so, the judge answered no and said those uses are allowed when they are within three miles of a trailhead.

The order takes effect June 18, 2026, and will be filed with the county clerk; the exact executive order number will be assigned at filing.

Why it matters: The order creates a new, local authorization for UTV travel where previously local allowance varied; it imposes equipment, registration and insurance requirements and creates a misdemeanor penalty for violations, while leaving enforcement and any future adjustments to county monitoring and review.