Ordinance passes on Street Legal ATV’s during Lawrence County Fiscal Court meeting
By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor
Lawrence County Fiscal Court heard the second reading of an ordinance that will allow people to obtain license and insurance to make their all-terrain vehicles street-legal, during their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
The ordinance passed unanimously with Mike Halcomb making the motion and John Skaggs seconding.
The Act became a state law March 26 and was effective June 27, allowing local governments to adopt it.
According to the ordinance, the Lawrence County Fiscal Court has determined that it is appropriate to allow the operation of street-legal special purpose vehicles on specified highways within the jurisdictional boundaries of Lawrence County in accordance with the Act and this ordinance.
The law states that street-legal special purpose vehicles shall be allowed to the extent permitted by the ACT on all highways that are located within the jurisdictional limits of the counties.
Exceptions: Street-legal special purpose vehicles shall not be allowed to operate: (a) On any highway, or portion thereof, located within the jurisdictional limits of the counties unless allowed by this ordinance. (b) On any highway, or portion thereof, that is a controlled access system, including but not limited to an interstate or parkway; or (c) On any highway, or portion thereof, where the United States Department of Agriculture prohibits special purpose vehicles.
According to the new Kentucky State Law the vehicle must be equipped with essential safety features, be registered, insured and pass an inspection.
SB 63 requires a $10 annual registration fee and a $25 fee for the certified inspection to be paid to the sheriff’s office before titling.
The ATV’s will be subject to taxes like any other motor vehicle possibly including back taxes and sales tax.
Street-Legal Special Purpose Vehicles (SLSPVs) will be capped at 20 miles per trip on highways with centerline markings.
“Special purpose vehicle” covers all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), minitrucks, pneumatic-tired military vehicles and full-size, purpose-built vehicles. Street-legal vehicles exclude vehicles primarily used for farm or agricultural activities or low-speed vehicles. To qualify as a Street Legal Special Purpose Vehicle (SLSPV), your ATV must be outfitted with specific safety equipment: one headlamp, tail lamp and brake lamp; a license plate light and one rear red reflector; rear turn signals (red or amber) and a braking system beyond a parking brake; rearview mirrors on both sides and a working muffler; a horn or warning device; either a windshield or protective eyewear for the operator; a speedometer with illumination; a roll bar or roll cage; federally approved seatbelts for all passengers; tires with a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch.
Lawrence County Clerk Chris Jobe said the inspections and insurance must be taken care of before coming to his office to get license and stickers.
“Proof must be shown that the ATV has passed inspection by the sheriff’s office and the vehicle has been insured before we can issue a license and sticker,” said Jobe.
The ordinance will have to be published in The Big Sandy News before it will be in effect.