It is not possible to register a UTV in Nebraska as street legal for reasons discussed below.

However, it is possible to make a UTV street legal in Nebraska 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 Nebraska and beyond.

This page covers street legal UTVs in Nebraska 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 get on the road? Take the first step toward street legality with the help of our expert team.

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 Nebraska Can’t Register UTVs as Street Legal

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

According to the Nebraska DMV:

“UTVs are off-road vehicles. They are not registered and any on-road use is limited to the restrictions set by state statutes. […] UTVs which have been modified or retrofitted with after-market parts to include additional equipment other than headlights, taillights, brake systems, muffler systems, or a spark arrester shall not be registered, nor shall such modified or retrofitted vehicles be eligible for registration in any other category of vehicle.”

This is confirmed by Nebraska Statute 60-6,355 and the vehicle categories found throughout the Nebraska vehicle code. The definitions of All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility-Type Vehicles cover anything commonly referred to as a UTV, and Nebraska’s definition of a passenger vehicle specifically excludes “off-road designed vehicles not authorized by law for use on a highway, including, but not limited to, […] all-terrain vehicles [and] utility-type vehicles.”

Autocycles in Nebraska are defined as having three wheels and motorcycles cannot have more than three wheels. Finally, for UTVs sold new or later titled as off-road vehicles in Nebraska, the title should bear the words “not to be registered for road use,” placing the final nail in the already tightly closed coffin of registering a UTV as street legal through Nebraska.

Want to see the laws for yourself? The resources we used to reach these conclusions are linked in the Laws, Codes, and Other Resources section below.

How to get street legal

In states like Montana and South Dakota, the vehicle code allows UTVs to be registered as street legal vehicles. You can register your 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 Nebraska with an out-of-state registration (see How to Make Your UTV Street Legal).

Imagine driving your UTV to any trail or OHV area, whether it’s up the street or up in the Rockies, all without needing a truck and trailer to get you there. Better yet, imagine not having to do all that pesky DMV paperwork to get legal. Our team of experts can register your UTV as street legal on your behalf, giving you more time to plan adventures that don’t revolve around your tow rig.

Parts Required to Be Street Legal in Nebraska

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

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 Nebraska roads without needing any equipment required by Nebraska and without needing to pass a Nebraska 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 Nebraska

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

Because street legal UTVs are a small niche, local law enforcement may not know that a UTV can be made street legal in Nebraska. 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).

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

Decibel limits

Nebraska requires all roadgoing vehicles to adhere to sound limits of 86dB(A) where the speed limit is 35 MPH or less and 90dB(A) where speed limits are higher. Vehicles registered out of state may or may not be subject to this noise limit.

Helmet laws

Nebraska does not have specific helmet laws for street legal UTVs. The state does require all occupants of autocycles and motorcycles to wear helmets, and although mainstream UTVs do not fit into either of these categories, it follows that local law enforcement might expect occupants of street legal UTVs to wear helmets in Nebraska. For these reasons and for safety reasons, we suggest wearing a helmet whenever you operate a street legal UTV on public roads in Nebraska as this is what local authorities are most likely to be familiar with.

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 Nebraska’s OHV Areas

Registration

In Nebraska, UTVs operated as off-highway vehicles (in OHV areas, public lands, and other off-road situations) are not required to register with the state.

Equipment

Any UTV operated as an OHV in Nebraska must have a Forest Service-qualified spark arrester and a good working muffler with no cutouts, bypasses, or other similar modifications. Other basic equipment is required, like working brakes and lights, as detailed in the resources below. Some OHV areas may have their own rules regarding helmet use, decibel limits, additional equipment, or other factors, so be sure to check ahead when you plan to travel.

This section is about vehicles that do not have street legal registrations.

Nebraska only allows UTVs and other off-highway vehicles to be driven on public roads for crossing purposes except in special circumstances like farming and agriculture.

The following restrictions apply to all OHVs driven on or across public roads:

• Vehicle must only be operated between sunrise and sunset

• Driver must have valid Class O driver’s license or farm permit

• Vehicle must have liability insurance

• Vehicle speed cannot exceed 30 MPH

• Headlight and taillight must be on

Crossing roads

When crossing controlled-access highways, Nebraska law states that OHVs must cross at an intersection with another road, specifically an intersection controlled by a signal for crossings made within city limits and one with a stop sign for crossings made elsewhere. When crossing divided highways, Nebraska law states that OHVs must cross at an intersection with another highway. When crossing other roads with more than two lanes, OHVs may cross at approximately a 90-degree angle to traffic after stopping and yielding to traffic. All crossings must be made in a manner adherent to local laws and regulations.

Required equipment

To drive on or across public roads in Nevada, OHVs must have working lights and brakes, an adequate muffler, and a Forest Service qualified spark arrester. Additionally, a bicycle safety flag must be attached to rear of vehicle. It must be 5 feet or higher above the ground, 30 square inches in area or larger, triangular in shape, and day-glow in color. OHV areas may extend their operational rules to the roads within them.

Local jurisdictions

In Nebraska, towns, cities, and other local jurisdictions can make their own rules regarding OHVs. They can choose to allow OHVs on certain roads, restrict them from others, or prevent them from crossing certain roads. Other aspects of the statewide laws may be changed on a local basis, so be sure to check the resources of the areas you plan to operate in.

Special exceptions

Road use exceptions in Nebraska primarily focus on agricultural and industrial use cases. Contact your local DMV or local law enforcement to learn how and when your UTV may qualify for road use exceptions.

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

• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles

• Nebraska Department of Natural Resources

• Nebraska Game and Parks

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.

Nebraska DMV ATVs, Minibikes, and UTVs (Discusses titling and street legality)

Nebraska Game and Parks OHV Trail Guide

USFS Nebraska Motor Vehicle Use Map

Operating as an OHV

Nebraska Statute 60-6,358 (Spark arrester required)

Nebraska Statute 60-6,370 (Vehicle noise limits)

Road use of OHVs not registered as street legal

Nebraska Statute 60-6,355 (Definitions of ATV and UTV, shall not be registered)

Nebraska Statute 60-6,356 (Road use exceptions, road crossings, farm use)

Other resources

Nebraska Statute 60-103 (Definition of autocycle)

Nebraska Statute 60-153 (UTV titles not to be registered for road use)

Nebraska Statute 60-366 (Nebraska vehicle registration reciprocity)

Nebraska Statute 60-6,279 (Nebraska motorcycle and autocycle helmet law)

Nebraska Statutes Chapter 60 (Definitions of autocycle, motorcycle, motor vehicle, highway, etc.)

Nebraska Statutes