Bill > SF2382

Introduced Session

Under current law, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), including off-road utility vehicles, are generally prohibited from being operated on a highway. Exceptions to this general prohibition exist, including under Code section 321.234A, for ATVs operated incidental to the ATV’s use for agricultural purposes, incidental to the ATV’s use for the purpose of surveying by a licensed engineer or land surveyor, by an employee or agent of a political subdivision or public utility for the purpose of construction or maintenance on or adjacent to the highway, by an employee or agent of a public agency for the purpose of providing emergency services or rescue, for the purpose of mowing, installing approved trail signs, or providing maintenance on a snowmobile or ATV trail designated by the department of natural resources (DNR), in accordance with Code section 321I.10, and to cross a highway. A person operating an ATV on a highway must have a valid driver’s license and cannot exceed 35 miles per hour (MPH). In addition, unless a person is operating the ATV incidental to the ATV’s use for agricultural purposes, the person must be at least 18 years old, have financial liability coverage (insurance) for the ATV, and carry proof of the insurance. Code section 321I.10 also provides certain exceptions and authorizes a person to operate an ATV, so long as it is registered under Code chapter 321I, on undivided two-lane primary highways that are not part of the interstate road system and paved secondary roads, but only between locations where ATVs are otherwise authorized to be operated, on state park road systems, unpaved secondary roads, and paved, undivided secondary roads if authorized by the county board of supervisors. A city may regulate the operation of registered ATVs and may designate streets under the jurisdiction of the city within its corporate limits, and two-lane primary and secondary road extensions in the city, which may be used for the operation of such ATVs. Because an ATV is limited to highway speeds not greater than 35 MPH, when operated on a highway, an ATV must be identified with a reflective device in accordance with the standards of the American society of agricultural engineers pursuant to Code section 321.383(2). This bill strikes provisions relating to the operation of ATVs on highways, other than provisions regulating the operation of ATVs on state park road systems, from Code section 321I.10 and moves the provisions to Code section 321.234A. The bill strikes the requirement that an unregistered ATV may be operated incidental to the ATV’s use for agricultural purposes only from sunrise to sunset. In accordance with current law, an ATV is a motor vehicle and therefore must be equipped with the parts, lamps, and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required under Code chapter 321 for motor vehicles. Current law specifies certain Code sections for which this applies, including Code sections 321.386, 321.387, 321.404, 321.432, and 321.437. The bill strikes these specific Code section references. Striking these references does not eliminate the requirement for an ATV to be properly equipped by law. However, the bill provides an exception for requirements which by their nature cannot apply to ATVs. Similar exceptions exist under current law for bicycles and animal-drawn vehicles. Under current law, a city is prohibited from charging a fee to operate a registered ATV within the city. The bill retains this prohibition and also prohibits counties from charging a fee to operate a registered ATV within the county. A person who operates an ATV on a highway in violation of the bill commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $70 scheduled fine. The bill modifies the current prohibition against operating an ATV on snowmobile trails under Code section 321I.10 by expanding the prohibition to off-road utility vehicles and modifying the exception for snowmobile trails designated by the controlling authority and the primary snowmobile sponsor, rather than designated by the controlling authority and the primary snowmobile trail sponsor. The bill makes conforming changes. The bill does not amend provisions requiring a person to register an ATV with the DNR through a country recorder to operate on certain highways, and on public land, public ice, and designated riding trails.

AI Summary

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 340. (on 02/19/2026)

Official Document