J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
1/23/25 2:40 p.m.
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Right now, street-legal, special-purpose vehicles need to be trailered if transversing roads in Kentucky–even if it’s for just a few feet. Kentucky seeks to change that with the proposed Senate Bill 63.

What type of vehicles does this bill cover? ATVs and UTVs, for sure, but it also extends to things such as kei trucks, home-built cars and any …

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buzzboy
buzzboy UltraDork
1/23/25 4:17 p.m.

Street Legal Special Purpose Vehicles are currently illegal. I wonder what that encompasses. NCM wouldn't let us leave their property in our racecar that is plated, insured and street legal. I wonder if it would have been illegal?

theruleslawyer
theruleslawyer HalfDork
1/23/25 4:59 p.m.

It looks like this is more for vehicles that would be ineligible for standard plates, or do not want standard plates. Kentucky does seem to have a process for kit cars, etc so while home built vehicles are mentioned, its probably talking about building your own dune buggy or something.

Here's their current page on odd car registration

https://www.dmv.org/ky-kentucky/other-types-of-vehicles.php

Here's more info from sema

https://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_KY.pdf

Weird that NCM wouldn't let you out with street plates.

J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
1/23/25 5:04 p.m.
theruleslawyer said:

It looks like this is more for vehicles that would be ineligible for standard plates, or do not want standard plates. Kentucky does seem to have a process for kit cars, etc so while home built vehicles are mentioned, its probably talking about building your own dune buggy or something.

Here's their current page on odd car registration

https://www.dmv.org/ky-kentucky/other-types-of-vehicles.php

Here's more info from sema

https://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_KY.pdf

Weird that NCM wouldn't let you out with street plates.

Correct on the type of vehicles that this is geared toward. ATVs and UTVs especially benefit.

irish44j (Forum Supporter)
irish44j (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
1/23/25 8:13 p.m.

mildly interested in how that's going to work with insurance. Is the state going to cover  the massive liabilities  when a UTV or track car gets in an accident on a public road with a "regular" vehicle? I'm guessing standard automobile insurance companies aren't going to, or at least not at a cost anyone can afford due to the high likelihood of liability. Or will it be like motorcycle insurance (no idea what that costs, as I don't own one)?

 

buzzboy
buzzboy UltraDork
1/24/25 7:52 a.m.

In NC we are allowed plated UTVs on 35mph roads. No major insurance headaches yet

J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
1/24/25 7:53 a.m.
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:

mildly interested in how that's going to work with insurance. Is the state going to cover  the massive liabilities  when a UTV or track car gets in an accident on a public road with a "regular" vehicle? I'm guessing standard automobile insurance companies aren't going to, or at least not at a cost anyone can afford due to the high likelihood of liability. Or will it be like motorcycle insurance (no idea what that costs, as I don't own one)?

 

All those who register a special-purpose vehicle will be required to carry their own liability insurance on that vehicle.

Ben
Ben GRM+ Memberand New Reader
1/24/25 10:19 a.m.

Reading this makes me feel a bit Lucky to live in Louisiana.
ATV/UTVs are all registered and can travel on public roads up to 55mph, non divided roads.
Kei trucks register as UTV
There is a legal process to title and register homemade cars and trailers.
Cars over 25yo qualify for Antique plates as long as unmodified or owner belongs to a car club (SCCA anyone?)
Special License plates for HotRods and Historic that basically allow you to build a period correct car and not need to comply with modern licensing specs.. 

DavyZ
DavyZ Reader
1/24/25 8:57 p.m.

The possible drawbacks as I see them are the 20 mile limit (does this mean you can pull off the road for a minute and then begin driving for another 20 miles?  Seems silly) and the tire tread depth, although that pretty much means no slicks--why not just state that?  At least this bill is a step in the right direction.  The lights, signals, mirrors, etc., are fine and make sense.  

Robbie (Forum Supporter)
Robbie (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/24/25 9:46 p.m.

Yes, UTVs are a serious gray area for many places. People drive them on the streets legal or not, and enforcement is a crap shoot. I've seen kids (under 16) driving them on roads too.

id be surprised if states that don't already have utv registration processes stay that way long.

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