- Boone County Commissioner Chet Hand asked staff to evaluate how the county could implement Kentucky’s new street-legal UTV law and review ordinances adopted by neighboring jurisdictions.
- State law allows counties and cities to authorize street-legal UTVs, ATVs and other special-purpose vehicles through local ordinances, but does not automatically permit them on public roads.
- Supporters argue legalizing UTVs could improve local transportation options and boost tourism, while county officials emphasized that safety considerations would guide any future recommendations.
Boone County Commissioner Chet Hand asked fiscal court staff to formally evaluate the possibility of allowing street-legal utility terrain vehicles on certain county roads.
Hand, who made the inquiry during the Boone County Fiscal Court meeting on Tuesday, cited multiple instances of when members of the public advocated for expanded access to such vehicles at prior meetings.
“I wanted to make the suggestion that staff formally review the implications of this new KRS (Kentucky Revised Statute) and what a possible implementation strategy would look like for Boone County, keeping in mind the idea is that obviously, safety on our streets is top priority,” Hand said.
A utility terrain vehicle is a motorized, off-road vehicle designed to traverse rugged terrain while hauling heavy loads or carrying multiple passengers. It differs from an all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, which is designed for a single rider who straddles the vehicle and steers with handlebars.
UTVs are commonly called “side-by-sides’ because of their seating arrangement, while ATVs are often referred to as “quads “or “four-wheelers.”
In 2025, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 63, which established KRS 186.077 and 186.078—regulations governing the use and authorization of street-legal special-purpose vehicles.
KRS 186.077 essentially establishes the qualifications for UTVs, ATVs, minitrucks, pneumatic-tired military vehicles and some custom-built vehicles to become street legal. To qualify, the vehicle must be equipped with features similar to those of a traditional motor vehicle, such as multiple headlights, taillights, brake lamps and turn signals, among other factors.
The law does not automatically permit these vehicles on public roads. Instead, local counties and municipalities have the authority to decide whether to allow these vehicles on roadways within their jurisdiction by passing an ordinance. This is outlined in KRS 186.078. Local governments may pass laws permitting their operation but may also impose restrictions, such as limiting use to certain areas or roadways.
Furthermore, even where local ordinances allow them, state law prohibits them from operating on interstates, parkways and other controlled-access highways. They may also not travel more than 20 miles per hour on roadways with centerline markings.
To legally operate one of these vehicles on a public roadway, a driver must register the vehicle, carry liability insurance, and pass a certified vehicle inspection. Upon registration, the county clerk will issue a motorcycle-style license plate, which owners must continually recertify.
Hand specified that he was not requesting an implementation strategy, but rather is seeking to evaluate other legal frameworks established by neighboring jurisdictions that have passed UTV legalization ordinances. He cited Grant County, which lies directly south of Boone County, as an example.
“We already have issues out there with the electric bikes and scooters and all that stuff going on, so I’m not suggesting that we implement or that we don’t implement … I’m asking if we can have the staff review what it would look like if we were to do it,” Hand said. “Maybe there’s an option A, B or C in terms of strategies. Are there certain roads that we would allow, and certain roads that we wouldn’t? What is the speed limit?”
During the public comment segment of the meeting, Flip Miller, a longtime Boone County resident, supported legalizing UTVs on county roads. He argued that these vehicles could boost tourism and the economy, while also offering greater convenience for some residents to travel locally.
“It shows that many families would like to be able to ride their UTVs to the stores, residences, post office and take a ride through our beautiful county and look at all the historical things that we have to offer,” Miller said. “For example, Big Bone Lake State Park, Rabbit Hash Tradition Museum and to be able to drive to the county fair, and many more places.”
Typically, UTV legalization is more common in rural areas. These vehicles often serve as a mode of transportation for farmers who use them for short farm-to-farm trips.
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore and Boone County Administrator Matthew Webster expressed their willingness to pursue Hand’s request.
“We’ll get on it and report back as soon as we’re completed,” Boone County Administrator Matthew Webster told Hand.
