It is not possible to register a UTV in Washington, D.C. as street legal for reasons discussed below.

It is possible to make a UTV fully street legal by registering in another state. With that said, given that there is nowhere to legally operate a non-street-legal UTV in D.C. and that the District generally has a strict approach to off-highway vehicles as explained below, it might not be a good idea to drive in D.C. even with a valid out-of-state registration.

Driving any UTV or other off-highway vehicle on public roads in Washington, D.C. is done at the operator’s discretion regardless of how and where it is registered.

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. This guide is about Washington, D.C. – click here for the State of Washington.

The District’s Unique Situation

It is illegal to drive off-highway vehicles on public roads in Washington, D.C. or to “park, stand, or stop” them on any public space or property except briefly during loading or unloading of the vehicle.

It is unclear how that applies to vehicles registered as street legal elsewhere, so let’s explore the circumstances.

Washington, D.C. classifies UTVs, ATVs, and other off-highway vehicles with 4-6 wheels as All-Terrain Vehicles. In a 2017 PDF, the Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation said the following about All-Terrain Vehicles:

“It is a criminal offense to operate an ATV or a dirt bike on any public property in the District. ATVs and dirt bikes are not permitted to be registered in the District.”

Furthermore, D.C. Statute 50–2201.04b states that “No person shall operate, […] park, stand, or stop an all-terrain vehicle or dirt bike on public property, including any public space in the District.” These statements not only apply to roadgoing OHVs but to off-road vehicles as well – there are no off-road registrations in D.C. because there are no OHV areas to ride in.

The only exception is for a brief time during loading or unloading of the vehicle.

What’s the risk?

If an off-highway vehicle is used on public roads in Washington, D.C., the first violation results in fines and the possibility of jail time. The second violation results in a 1-year driver’s license suspension and/or operating privileges within the District, and any violation, especially subsequent ones, could result in vehicle forfeiture.

Additionally, there is an incentive for people to call in illegal vehicles being driven in the District. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department encourages the public to report illegal vehicles through the Bonus to Phone Us program which offers a $250 reward to anyone whose tip leads to “the successful recovery of a vehicle […] and the identity of the driver.”

To be clear, we aren’t saying you can or cannot drive a street legal UTV in Washington, D.C. You would need to consult an attorney for that. What we do know is that the District frowns on UTVs and other OHVs driving on local streets and it’s unclear whether that applies to vehicles registered as street legal elsewhere.

Becoming street legal

Thankfully, D.C. is one of very few places in the country where street legal UTVs are at odds with local laws.

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 can be driven elsewhere with an out-of-state registration (see How to Make Your UTV Street Legal). And although D.C. might not be the best place to drive a street legal UTV, there are many places when a street legal registration would come in handy.

Washingtonians know there is no shortage of incredible trails within a day’s drive of the District. From the Garrett and Green Ridge State Forests of Maryland to Anthracite and Pohopoco in Pennsylvania, whether you’re a solo off-roader or a family expeditioner, there are plenty of options to choose from. Of course, they all involve loading up the tow rig and hauling your UTV around at your destination. What if there was another way?

Imagine driving from your campground to the OHV area in your street legal UTV. Imagine driving to town for breakfast without a truck and trailer holding you back. Imaging taking 50 to Ocean City and cruising Highway 1 with the wind in your hair. It’s all possible in a street legal UTV.

If the only thing holding you back is the complexity of it all, consider letting our team of experts register your UTV as street legal on your behalf while you spend your time on something far more exciting than DMV paperwork – which is basically anything. Just know that driving any UTV or other off-highway vehicle on public roads in the District is done at the operator’s discretion regardless of how and where it is registered.

Why UTVs can’t be registered as street legal in D.C.

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

None of the vehicle categories found in the Washington, D.C. Motor Vehicle Code can be used to register a UTV for street legal use. Of the possible candidates:

• Motorcycles must have 2 or 3 wheels

• Autocycles must have 3 wheels and adhere to federal motorcycle safety standards

• Low-Speed Vehicles cannot be capable of exceeding 25 MPH

• Mini-Trucks are not defined in D.C. laws

Additional resources used to reach these conclusions are linked in the Laws, Codes, and Other Resources section below.

Driving a Street Legal UTV on Public Roads in the District

The public has been encouraged to report any off-highway vehicles seen driving in the District, often resulting in vehicle confiscation. This means there will be a greater chance of being pulled over and having your vehicle’s legality questioned in D.C. than in other places.

While we are not attorneys, if you do decide to drive in D.C. 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). Washington, D.C.’s vehicle registration reciprocity statute is linked in the resources below.

Keep in mind that street legal UTVs need to observe all laws and rules of the road just as a car would. Driving any UTV or other off-highway vehicle on public roads in D.C. is done at the operator’s discretion regardless of how and where it is registered.

Helmet laws in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. does not have specific helmet laws regarding street legal UTVs, but all motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets and eye protection. Notably, autocycles (including three-wheeled vehicles like the Polaris Slingshot) are exempt from the helmet requirement if the vehicle has “a non-removable roof and windshield and is fully enclosed.”

Although a street legal UTV does not fit D.C.’s definition of an autocycle or a motorcycle, this is the closest vehicle type mentioned in the helmet law and is likely what local authorities will be most familiar with. For safety reasons, we suggest wearing a helmet and eye protection whenever you drive a street legal UTV on public roads.

Keep in mind that helmet laws need to be followed on a state-by-state basis. Before you travel, learn the helmet situation wherever you plan to drive.

Driving a Street Legal UTV in D.C.’s OHV Areas

We are not currently aware of any OHV areas within D.C. proper. Please let us know if this changes. Because of this, D.C. does not have a registration system for UTVs and other off-highway vehicles.

When you travel, keep in mind that special permits and equipment are usually required by OHV areas and public lands, and those requirements almost always apply to street legal UTVs as well. Start by finding your destination in our Nationwide Street Legal UTV Guide – it covers all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and 5 US territories.

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

• Washington, D.C. Department of Energy & Environment

• Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles

• Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation

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: D.C. refers to many off-highway vehicles including UTVs using the term All-Terrain Vehicle.

UTVs and other off-highway vehicles

D.C. DOT: Synopsis of Non-Traditional Vehicle Laws (PDF)

D.C. Metropolitan Police: Riding OHVs on public roads and the Bonus to Phone Us program

D.C. Statute 50-2201.02 (Definition of All-Terrain Vehicle)

D.C. Statute 50-2201.04b (Operation of All-Terrain Vehicles)

Other resources

D.C. Municipal Regulation 18-2215 (Washington D.C. motorcycle helmet law)

D.C. Municipal Regulation 18-2501 (Vehicle width and height limits)

D.C. Municipal Regulation 18-2502 (Vehicle length limits)

D.C. Municipal Regulation 18-9901 (Definitions of Autocycle, Low-Speed Vehicle, Motorcycle, others)

D.C. Statute 50-1401.02 (Washington, D.C. vehicle registration reciprocity)

Code of the District of Columbia

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR)