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?
Photo by Alec White/SCCA Appalachian HillClimb Series
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 other vehicle that could be considered street legal in the state of Kentucky.
What’s defined as street legal in Kentucky? It has to meet the following requirements:
In addition, the special-purpose vehicle must be registered and insured. Upon registration with the county clerk, Kentucky will issue that vehicle a standard motorcycle registration plate.
Registered special-purpose vehicles cannot travel more than 20 miles at a time on highways with a centerline present, per SB 63. Drivers also cannot use that vehicle on controlled-access roads, such as interstates, or where prohibited by a local municipality.
Backroads of Appalachia’s Erik Hubbard said his organization supports this bill as he feels it will continue to strengthen Kentucky’s reputation as destination for motorsport activities. For 2024 alone, Backroads of Appalachia’s efforts brought an economic impact of $92.4 million to Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Those efforts include helping events such as the Pine Mountain HillClimb and Drift Appalachia.
[Kentucky roads–and more–officially open for motorsports]
“This is allows Backroads of Appalachia and other entities to bring more people in and promote the economy and tourism,” said Hubbard.
One of the sponsors of the bill, newly elected Senator Scott Madon, understands the value of motorsport to Kentucky. He served as mayor of Pineville, home of the Pine Mountain HillClimb, from 2015 to 2025.
“It’s really positive where we are promoting adventure tourism,” Madon said. “We want people to know that Kentucky is a motorsports-friendly state. I’d like to see Kentucky become a destination, where you load up, take your family and stay for the week.”
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?
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.
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.
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)?
In NC we are allowed plated UTVs on 35mph roads. No major insurance headaches yet
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.
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..
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.
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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