Can A Side-By-Side Be Street-Legal?

Side-by-sides, also known as utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), are popular for recreational and utility purposes, such as hunting, farming, and exploring trails.

But can a side-by-side be street-legal? The answer depends on where you live and what modifications you make to your vehicle.

This short answer just scratches the surface. In this blog post, we will explain what a side-by-side is, how it differs from other off-road vehicles, state laws for side-by-sides, methods to make your SxS street-legal, and more.

Read on and explore now！

Understanding Side-By-Sides

To begin with, let's first define what a side-by-side is and how it compares to other types of off-road vehicles.

A side-by-side vehicle is a type of off-highway vehicle (OHV) that has four or more low-pressure tires, a steering wheel, non-straddle seating, and a rollover protective structure. SxSs are also known as utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), or multipurpose off-highway utility vehicles (MOHUVs).

Common Uses for Side-By-Sides

You can use a side-by-side for various purposes, such as:

Recreation: Many riders enjoy riding their SxSs on trails, dunes, mountains, and other off-road terrains. SxSs can offer a fun and exhilarating experience for you, regardless of your age and skill level.

Utility: SxSs are also excellent for work-related tasks, such as farming, ranching, landscaping, construction, and emergency services. They can carry heavy loads, tow trailers, and navigate rough terrain.

Hunting: SxSs are ideal for you if you need to transport your gear across long distances. They can also access remote areas that are otherwise inaccessible by conventional vehicles.

Differences Between Side-By-Sides and Other Off-Road Vehicles

Side-by-sides are completely different from all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, or dirt bikes. Here are some key differences:

Seating: SxSs have non-straddle seating, meaning that the riders sit side by side in a cockpit-like cabin. In comparison, ATVs, motorcycles, and dirt bikes have straddle seating, meaning that the riders sit on top of the vehicle with their legs on either side.

Steering: SxSs have a steering wheel, similar to a car or truck. ATVs, motorcycles, and dirt bikes have handlebars that the riders use to steer the vehicle.

Capacity: SxSs can seat two or more people. Some SxSs can even accommodate up to six passengers. ATVs, motorcycles, and dirt bikes typically seat one or two people at most.

Safety: SxSs have a rollover protective structure (ROPS), which is a metal frame that surrounds the cabin and protects the riders in case of a rollover. SxSs may also have seat belts, windshields, doors, roofs, and mirrors. ATVs, motorcycles, and dirt bikes do not have any of these features and expose the riders to more risks.

Street-Legal SxSs

Street-legal side-by-sides (SxSs) are off-road vehicles modified to comply with on-road regulations. They feature additions like proper lighting systems, turn signals, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, horns, license plates, and proper tires.

Each state has varying requirements for street legality, and these adaptations allow you to drive your SxS on public roads alongside regular traffic, offering a blend of off-road fun and on-road convenience.