The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced on May 12 that residents and visitors should be aware of Nevada’s laws and safety regulations regarding utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) and off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
Officials say the reminder comes as use of off-highway vehicles continues to rise across Northern Nevada. The department outlined key requirements, including registration for all UTVs over 70cc with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Non-residents must have either an OHV decal or a street-legal registration from their home state to operate in Nevada.
According to the announcement, helmets are required for both drivers and passengers when operating on roads or trails open to street-legal vehicles. UTVs may be operated on general or minor county roads and some city streets only for accessing public lands, but not for general transportation within city limits such as traveling to stores or businesses.
Operators must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. When using paved roads, UTVs must meet specific equipment requirements. All operators are required to obey posted speed limits and other traffic laws while driving on roadways.
While helmets are not legally required when operating strictly off-highway, they are strongly recommended by authorities for safety reasons. The sheriff’s office also said that UTVs cannot be converted into fully street-legal plated vehicles in Nevada, unlike certain two-wheeled motorcycles. Additionally, it is advised never to leave a UTV running unattended.
For more detailed information about these rules, officials recommend reviewing Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 490.
