Title: Utility Terrain Vehicles

Summary: Authorizes operation of utility terrain vehicles on certain roadways; provides applicability of certain operator requirements.

Full Text:
An act relating to utility terrain vehicles; amending s. 316.2123, F.S.; authorizing the operation of utility terrain vehicles on certain roadways; providing applicability of certain operator requirements; amending s. 320.01, F.S.; defining the term "utility terrain vehicle" or "UTV"; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 316.2123, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 316.2123 Operation of an ATV or a UTV on certain roadways.-(1)(a) The operation of an ATV, as defined in s. 317.0003, upon the public roads or streets of this state is prohibited, except that an ATV may be operated during the daytime on an unpaved roadway where the posted speed limit is less than 19 miles per hour. (b) A UTV, as defined in s. 320.01(46), may be operated during all hours, but only on nonfederal roadways where the posted speed limit is le ss than miles per hour. (2) A county is exempt from this section if the governing body of the county, by majority vote, following a noticed public HB 2024 hearing, votes to exempt the county from this section. Alternatively, a county may, by majority vote aft er such a hearing, designate certain unpaved roadways where an ATV may be operated during the daytime as long as each such designated roadway has a posted speed limit of less than miles per hour and is appropriately marked to indicate permissible ATV us e. (3) Any ATV or UTV operation that is permitted under subsection (1) or subsection (2) may be undertaken only by a licensed driver or a minor who is under the direct supervision of a licensed driver. The operator must provide proof of ownership under chapter upon the request of a law enforcement officer. Section 2. Subsection (46) is added to section 320.01, Florida Statutes, to read: 320.01 Definitions, general.-As used in the Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided, the term: (46) "Utility terrain vehicle" or "UTV" means a vehicle less than inches in width which has at least two seats allowing passengers to sit in a side-by-side manner and which is equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, taillamps, rearview mirrors, a windshield, seat belts, and a horn. A UTV must comply with all insurance and license requirements of mini trucks pursuant to ss. 316.2122 and 320.0847. Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.