Observing OHV Laws in Utah
Avoiding Prohibited Uses
It is illegal for anyone to operate an OHV to:
- Commit acts of vandalism.
- Harass wildlife or domestic animals.
- Commit burglary or another crime.
- Damage the environment, including causing excessive pollution of the air, land, or water.
- Abuse the watershed.
- Impair plant or animal life.
- Create excessive noise.
Operating Your OHV Legally
Most federal and state agencies provide travel maps that indicate where OHV use is allowed. Before riding your OHV, always contact the local land managing authority for current trail maps and riding information. A list of various land managing agencies can be found at stateparks.utah.gov/stateparks/ohv/where-to-ride.html.
- Currently registered OHVs may be operated only on public lands, roads, or trails that are signed or designated for OHV use. Exceptions exist if you are:
- Crossing a public road at a right angle after coming to a complete stop and yielding to oncoming traffic or …
- Loading or unloading the OHV from a trailer or vehicle or …
- Experiencing an emergency.
- OHVs may be operated on private property with the consent of the owner or person in charge. Always obtain permission before entering any private property.
- The U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and other federal and state land managing agencies determine where OHV use is permitted on their lands. The operator is responsible for knowing which routes are open to OHVs.
- Designated wilderness areas are off-limits to all mechanized travel.
- A person may not operate a wheeled vehicle with a gross weight of 800 pounds or
more on any trail that the Utah State Parks has marked, posted,
designated, or maintained as a snowmobile trail.
- Snowmobiles may be operated on streets or highways which have been officially
closed for the season to conventional motor vehicle traffic because snow removal is
no longer provided for the season by the public authority having jurisdiction.
Obtaining Riding Maps
A free CD showing statewide riding maps is available from:
For maps showing where snowmobiling is allowed:
Organized OHV Events
To hold an organized OHV race or other event, you must obtain a permit from the agency or landowner with jurisdiction over the land or road where the event is to be held.
Driving Under the Influence
OHVs are motor vehicles. As such, drug and alcohol restrictions apply to OHV operation. Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Utah will result in:
- Fines from $1,300 to $2,000 and …
- Driver’s license restrictions, suspensions, or penalties and …
- Impoundment of the OHV.
Obeying Law Enforcement Officers
All Utah peace officers enforce the OHV laws and regulations.
Responding After an Accident
If you are involved in an accident, you must:
- Stop and render aid.
- Give the other party your name, address, and the registration number and owner’s
name of the snowmobile you’re riding.
- Immediately notify a law enforcement officer and file a report within 15 days with
the Utah State Parks Department if the injury or damage is significant.
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