Although Massachusetts does allow UTVs and OHVs to use public roads for up to 4 miles when traveling to and from off-roading areas, it is not possible to register a UTV in Massachusetts as a regular street legal vehicle for reasons discussed below.

However, it is possible to make a UTV street legal in Massachusetts by registering it in another state. The resulting title, registration, and license plate will allow you to drive your side-by-side on roads, highways, and city streets in Massachusetts and beyond.

This page covers street legal UTVs in Massachusetts from top to bottom including relevant laws, details about OHV areas, and times when a UTV not registered as street legal can be driven on local roads. Review the following resources to learn more.

Ready to register out of state? Let our expert team register your UTV on your behalf, saving you time, trouble, and headaches.

We have made our best effort to include all relevant details, but something we did not cover might apply to your situation. We are enthusiasts, not attorneys. This is not legal advice.

Why Massachusetts Can’t Register UTVs as Street Legal

In order to register a UTV as a regular street legal vehicle through the Massachusetts RMV, it would need to fit Massachusetts’ definition of a street legal vehicle and pass a Massachusetts motor vehicle inspection, however Massachusetts’ laws do not allow for this.

Within Massachusetts law, an Off-Highway Vehicle (sometimes called a Recreational Vehicle) is defined as “any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain for recreation or pleasure.” Similarly, a Recreational Utility Vehicle is defined as having between 4 and 6 tires, an engine displacement below 1500cc, a total dry weight less than 1800 lbs., and a wheel for steering control. Vehicles fitting these categories cannot be registered as roadgoing vehicles through the Massachusetts RMV.

Other vehicle categories are not conducive to registering UTVs. For example, a motorcycle in Massachusetts must have a straddle seat and not more than three wheels. Additional resources used to reach these conclusions are linked in the Laws, Codes, and Other Resources section below.

In states like Montana and South Dakota, the vehicle code allows UTVs to be registered as street legal vehicles. You can register you UTV in those states without ever leaving your home. Once registration is complete and the required equipment is installed, your UTV will be street legal in the state of Massachusetts with an out-of-state registration (see How to Make Your UTV Street Legal).

Whether you ride over at Beartown and Pittsfield, out at the beaches, or up in Vermont, a street legal UTV would allow you to explore the Northeast while leaving your truck and trailer behind. Sound like a dream come true? Our team of experts can do the complicated paperwork for you while you’re planning your next adventure.

Parts Required to Be Street Legal in Massachusetts

Because the only way to make a UTV street legal in Massachusetts is to register in another state, getting legal does not involve any parts specific to Massachusetts.

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 Massachusetts roads without needing any equipment required by Massachusetts and without needing to pass a Massachusetts inspection.

• Here is what is legally required for registrations in Montana and South Dakota (other states)

• These are the minimum parts we suggest having on any street legal UTV

There are also some parts we suggest leaving off which are rarely allowed on street legal vehicles in any state.

Driving a Street Legal UTV on Public Roads in Massachusetts

Because street legal UTVs are a small niche, local law enforcement may not know that a UTV can be made street legal in Massachusetts. While we are not attorneys, we suggest carrying physical copies of your UTV’s registration and insurance proofs and being knowledgeable about the ways your vehicle is legal for road use (see Knowing Your Legality).

Vehicles licensed in other states can be driven legally in Massachusetts thanks to registration reciprocity agreements between states. Massachusetts’ 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 Massachusetts from another state because of vehicle type mismatches between states.

Keep in mind that street legal UTVs in Massachusetts need to observe all laws and rules of the road just as a car would.

Helmet laws in Massachusetts

• Massachusetts does not have specific helmet laws for street legal UTVs

• We suggest wearing one as explained below

• All occupants are required to wear helmets in OHV areas in Massachusetts

In considering whether or not to wear a helmet in a street legal UTV in Massachusetts, the state does have a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle riders to wear helmets and eye protection is also required if the helmet is not full-face. However, a UTV does not fit Massachusetts’ definition of a motorcycle.

Looking to OHVs that have not been made street legal, in the limited circumstances when they can use public roads in Massachusetts all occupants must wear helmets. Additionally, all occupants are required to wear helmets while operating in OHV areas and off-road situations regardless of whether the UTV is street legal.

All things considered, it stands to reason that local law enforcement might expect helmet use for street legal UTVs on public roads in Massachusetts since that is what they will be familiar with. For these reasons and for safety reasons, we suggest wearing a helmet whenever you operate a UTV on public roads in Massachusetts.

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. See other states

Driving a Street Legal UTV in Massachusetts’ OHV Areas

Registration

Whether your UTV is street legal or not, if you plan to operate as an off-highway vehicle in Massachusetts (in OHV areas, public lands, etc.) you must obtain an OHV registration through Massachusetts and display the corresponding decal of it on your UTV.

If your UTV is street legal with an out-of-state registration, or if you are not a resident of Massachusetts, you will need a nonresident OHV registration from Massachusetts as the state does not offer reciprocity for OHV registrations from other states.

• Registrations can be obtained through the Massachusetts OHV Registration Portal

• Unlike many states, OHVs operated in Massachusetts must register even if they are only used on private property

• Learn more with the Massachusetts OHV Registration FAQ and Mass.gov Summary of Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Laws

Equipment

Any UTV operated as an OHV in Massachusetts is required to have a Forest Service-qualified spark arrester and a good working muffler with a maximum volume of 96 dB (for vehicles newer than 1998; 101 dB for older vehicles). Other basic equipment is required, like working lights, as detailed in the resources below. Individual OHV areas may have other requirements, so be sure to check ahead when you plan to travel.

Helmets

Massachusetts requires all occupants to wear helmets when operating in OHV areas. You will be required to wear a helmet in OHV areas even if your UTV is street legal.

This section is about vehicles that have not been made street legal.

In Massachusetts, UTVs and other off-highway vehicles can be driven or pushed along the rightmost part of a public road for up to 4 miles when traveling to, from, or between OHV areas including off-road trails. The vehicle must move with the flow of traffic without interfering with it.

It is also permitted to unload a UTV and drive from the loading site to the operation site. Local laws may expand these rules to allow for travel between the operation site and food, fuel, or lodging, though the state requires the total distance to be “the minimum distance necessary to permit such travel or access but shall not exceed 4 miles.”

Crossing roads

Massachusetts law states that OHVs may be driven or pushed across public roads, except controlled access highways, after coming to a complete stop and yielding to traffic. The crossing must be done “as directly as possible” in a safe location without interfering with traffic. Some official OHV trails have incorporated crossing points and some local jurisdictions have designated official crossing zones in areas with heavy OHV traffic. Check your local resources for more information.

Local jurisdictions

Towns, cities, and other local jurisdictions in Massachusetts can make their own rules regarding OHVs. They can choose to allow OHVs on certain roads for necessary trips during emergency weather conditions or to expand or reduce the statewide OHV laws including those related to road crossings. Be sure to check the local resources of the areas you plan to operate in. You can also call the DMV or local law enforcement for more information.

Required helmet use

All occupants are required to wear helmets when driving on or across public roads in an OHV.

Required registration

UTVs and other OHVs operated on public roads in Massachusetts must be registered with the state as described in the previous section on OHV areas.

Required equipment

OHVs must have the following equipment to drive on public roads in Massachusetts:

• At least one headlight

• At least one taillight

• At least one red rear reflector

• An “adequate” muffler

• Maximum volume of 96 dB (for UTVs after 1998; 101 dB for older models)

Special exceptions

UTVs and other off-highway vehicles used for special purposes including official government use, agriculture, and other industries can qualify for a different set of regulations as detailed in the resources linked below. Contact your local DMV or law enforcement to learn more.

Age restrictions

Age restrictions apply to drivers younger than 18 as described in the Mass.gov Summary of Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Laws along with other aspects of Massachusetts’ OHV laws not covered in this guide.

For questions outside the scope of this guide, try contacting:

• Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

• Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game

These are the sources we used to create this guide. If you find any inaccurate or outdated information, please contact us and we will be happy to address it.

Note: Massachusetts sometimes refers to all OHVs as ATVs.

Start here

Mass.gov Summary of Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Laws

Massachusetts OHV Pamphlet (PDF) (Most recent version; let us know if this changes)

Massachusetts OHV Program Overview

Massachusetts OHV Registration Portal and Registration FAQ

Operating as an OHV

Massachusetts Statute 1-7-48-21 (Spark arrester required)

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90B-22 (OHV registration requirements and decal placement)

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90B-24 (OHV equipment requirements)

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90B-30 (Nonresident OHV registration reciprocity)

Road use of OHVs not registered as street legal

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90B-25 (Road use and crossings)

Other resources

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90B-20 (Definitions of All-Terrain Vehicle, Recreational Utility Vehicle, etc.)

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90-1 (Definitions of other vehicle categories)

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90-3 (Massachusetts vehicle registration reciprocity)

Massachusetts Statute 1-14-90-7 (Massachusetts motorcycle helmet law)

Massachusetts Statutes