Man killed riding off-road vehicle on SR 9. See rules for ATVs on WA highways
Riding all-terrain vehicles is a popular past-time in Washington state — but the activity has its risks.
A Deming man died May 3 after his Kymco off-road vehicle was struck by a car on State Route 9, McClatchy Media previously reported.
Can you take your ATV on the open road in Washington state? What are the rules for riders?
Here’s what to know:
What is a wheeled all-terrain vehicle?
“You can ride your ATV on many city and county roads in Washington state as long as it is licensed as a wheeled all-terrain vehicle and meets certain safety criteria,” digital mapping platform Northwest Portal said on its website.
Wheeled ATVs are four-wheeled motorized non-highway vehicles or utility-type vehicles that meet certain requirements for height and weight as well as seat height and tire size.
What makes an ATV street legal in Washington state?
If you are planning on taking your wheeled ATV on the road, you first have to register it with the Washington Department of Licensing.
Your vehicle must have the following safety equipment installed:
- Headlamp, tail lamp, trail lamps and stop lamp
- Reflectors
- Turn signals
- Brakes that are in working order
- Mirrors
- Horn or warning device
- Spark arrester and muffling device
- Windshield, unless the driver wears glasses, goggles or a face shield
- Seatbelts
You’ll also need to have a licensed dealer or repair shop inspect the vehicle, and bring proof of the inspection, the vehicle’s title and a road use declaration form to a vehicle licensing office.
It costs $30 to register your ATV for on-road and off-road use, according to the Washington Department of Licensing.
With filing and service fees, the total comes to $47 to $71.50.
Where am I allowed to ride ATVs on the road?
In Washington state, you can “operate a wheeled all-terrain vehicle upon any public roadway of this state, not including non-highway roads and trails” with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, according to the Revised Code of Washington.
However, it’s illegal to operate a wheeled ATV on a state highway unless you’re on a segment that’s “within the limits of a city or town,” state law says.
The county can also adopt an ordinance “approving the operation of wheeled all-terrain vehicles on that segment,” the Revised Code of Washington says.
In both cases, the speed limit of that section of road must be 35 mph or less.
Washington state also has rules about wheeled ATVs at intersections.
A county, city or town can legally enact an ordinance prohibiting wheeled ATV riders “from crossing a public roadway with a speed limit of 60 mph or less “at specific intersections or along the entirety of the route within the jurisdiction,” the Revised Code of Washington says.
Which counties allow off-road vehicles on streets?
According to Northwest Portal, these cities and counties allow wheeled ATVs on the street:
- Clallam
- Grays Harbor
- Pacific
- Mason
- Thurston
- Lewis
- Cowiltz
- Skamania
- Snohomish
- Okanogan
- Chelan
- Kittias
- Douglas
- Grant
- Benton
- Walla Walla
- Lincoln
- Ferry
- Stevens
- Pend Oreille
- Spokane
- Columbia
- Garfield
- Asotin
Where are wheeled ATVs banned on roads?
Northwest Portal said these cities and counties in Washington state do not allow wheeled ATVS on roads:
- Whatcom
- Skagit
- King
- Jefferson
- Wahkiakum
- Clark
- Yakima
- Klickitat
- Adams
- Fraklin
- Whitman
- San Juan
- Island
What is the penalty for not registering your ATV?
If you’re caught riding an ATV on the road without proper registration, you could face a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of $87, according to the state Monetary Penalty Schedule for Infractions.