You can ride your Grizzly 150 miles from your house.If you can prove that it is for farm use, and have a flag.

i have a question about all this.. sorry, i'm new to the site and a few months late in the discussion, but....

ive seen rhinos that have the yamaha r1 motorcycle engines in them with the long travel wide suspension and street tires, do you think there would be anyway to street legalize a rhino by doing this and all the necessary usual safety and  items, but call it a homemade vehicle and register it as such... because i do know that if you register a homemade vehicle you would just need it to be inspected by the dps or whoever does the actual inspescting of homemade vehicles....

Just a wild guess, but I seriously doubt it would work.  Rhinos are designed the manufacturer to be off road vehicles, so you will probably not be able to make it street legal in TX by simply adding some blinkers, mirror, DOT approved tires, and such.  I think you are right about kit cars/home made vehicles...so perhaps you can make a UTV from scratch and design it to be similar to the Rhino, but add all the necessary safety features and DOT approved tires.  That might work.  Of course, you'd need to do some research before going forward.

Happy trails...:)

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I just ran across this in the Texas Transportation Code and thought it was very relevant to this topic.

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Sec. 502.006.  ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person may not register an all-terrain vehicle, with or without design alterations, for operation on a public highway.

(b)  The state, a county, or a municipality may register an all-terrain vehicle for operation on a public beach or highway to maintain public safety and welfare.

(c)  Repealed by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1280, Sec. 6, eff. June 15, 2007.

(d)  Repealed by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1280, Sec. 6, eff. June 15, 2007.

(e)  Section 502.172 does not apply to an all-terrain vehicle.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 311, Sec. 1, eff. May 29, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1280, Sec. 6, eff. June 15, 2007.

The following law applies to the use of an ATV on a public roadway...

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Sec. 663.037.  OPERATION ON PUBLIC ROADWAY PROHIBITED.  (a)  A person may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street, road, or highway except as provided by this section.

(b)  The operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the vehicle across a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway, if the operator:

(1)  brings the vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the roadway;

(2)  yields the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard; and

(3)  makes the crossing:

(A)  at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway;

(B)  at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and

(C)  with the vehicle's headlights and taillights lighted.

(c)  The operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the vehicle across a divided highway other than an interstate or limited access highway only at an intersection of the highway with another public street, road, or highway.

(d) The operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the vehicle on a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway if:

(1)  the transportation is in connection with:

(A)  the production, cultivation, care, harvesting, preserving, drying, processing, canning, storing, handling, shipping, marketing, selling, or use of agricultural products, as defined by Section 52.002, Agriculture Code; or

(B)  utility work performed by a utility;

(2)  the operator attaches to the back of the vehicle on top of an eight-foot-long pole a triangular orange flag;

(3)  the vehicle's headlights and taillights are illuminated;

(4)  the operator holds a driver's license, as defined by Section 521.001;

(5)  the operation of the all-terrain vehicle occurs in the daytime; and

(6)  the operation of the all-terrain vehicle does not exceed a distance of 25 miles from the point of origin to the destination.

(d-1)  Provisions of this code regarding helmet and eye protection use, safety certification, and other vehicular restrictions do not apply to Subsection (d).

(e)  The director of the Department of Public Safety shall adopt standards and specifications that apply to the color, size, and mounting position of the flag required under Subsections (d)(2) and (g)(2).

(f)  Except as provided by Subsection (g), this section does not apply to the operation of an all-terrain vehicle that is owned by the state, a county, or a municipality by a person who is an authorized operator of the vehicle.

(g)  A peace officer may operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway only if:

(1)  the transportation is in connection with the performance of the officer's official duty;

(2)  the officer attaches to the back of the vehicle on top of an eight-foot-long pole a triangular orange flag;

(3)  the vehicle's headlights and taillights are illuminated;

(4)  the officer holds a driver's license, as defined by Section 521.001; and

(5)  the operation of the all-terrain vehicle does not exceed a distance of 25 miles from the point of origin to the destination.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 472, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 483, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 242, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Hello , New to Texas ATV's forum, I wanted to add some new info for thought about this topic.

 As of January 2009 (Rhino's gators, razors,rangers,"side by sides")  are no longer considered ATV's they are considered OHV's  and are required by the USFS and BLM to be licensed and insured to ride on "ANY" USFS or BLM property.

I unfortunatley found this out while plannignfor a new trip with my Rhino next month. The problem is that TXDOT and TTC dont make any refrence to these style of vehicles but when I called inquired they said they are considered ATV's but when I brought up the fact that "side by sides" DO NOT meet the rquirements/definitions of ATV's as published int both TXDOT and TTC theey were stopped cold and scratched there heads.  All they could say is we used to plate them but that was overturned in 2007. But when they did thatthey failed to create definitions for "Sideby sides"  as a result anyone that owns one is up a creek as they will not issue plates so all the national parks and forest roads,  are now offlimits to them until Texas gets back up to speed.

If you are waiting for Texas to get their act together on atvs you can just keep waiting.  They could take in a lot of money if they would allow them to become street legal like some other states.   They would make money on registrations and inspection fees.  I dont see it happening in any kind of future until we get off our lazy asses and push for it.

 I joined this forum to respond to this issue.

I bought a Rhino 660.  I bought it specifically with the intent of registering it as a LSV (Low Speed Vehicle) and using it in our rurual neighborhood for minor hauling and travel to a lake easement.

 In September 2008, the DMV no longer allowed registration of UTVs (Utility Vehicles) and in fact sent notification to approximately 1500 owners of registered and plated UTVs in the state of Texas notifing them that they would no longer be allowed to register them.

 The DMV is trying to get UTVs classified as ATVs - which is incorrect, as the ATV is described as a 4-wheeled vehicle with a "saddle" type seat.  ATVs may *not* be registered for road use, which is clearly the DMV's intent here.

 Note, no LAWs have changed, the DMV's policy change in regard to allowing registration. Prior to Sept 2008, utility vehicles like the Rhino, RZR, Mule, etc could be registered for use on public roads as long as the speed limit on that road was less than 35mph.  Insurance was required.

 The DMV is still allowing Golf Carts to be registered by have issued instructions indicating that Utility vehicles should be considered as ATVs.

 If you have an opinion on this issue - the person to email at the DMV is:

rdavio@dot.state.tx.us  (Rebecca Davio, Director)

 I'd like to point out also that classifing a UTV as an ATV will have serious "use" consequences on Federal land:

As of 1/2009 both the United States Forest Service and Bureau Of Land Management considers the Rhino (and other Side-by-Side configured utility vehicles) to be OHV's.

 OHVs must be registered and insured to be used on Federal land. 

 Because the DMV is trying to classify UTVs as ATVs - they're preventing legal registration - as such, these vehicle cannot be used on federal land.  

Again, if you think this is problematic, I encourage you to contact Rebecca Davio at the above address - I believe she sets DMV policy on this issue.

Thank you cb1000rider,

I just sent Ms. Davio the following email to express my concerns.   I hope this helps.

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Dear Rebecca Davio,
 
I am writing you to express my concern about the DMV's recent policy changes regarding vehicle registration rules as they apply to UTVS (e.g., Yamaha Rhino, Polaris RZR, Kawasaki Teryx, etc.).  It has come to my attention that the DMV recently changed its pre-existing policy of allowing owners to register their UTVs for use as a slow moving vehicle on certain public roads in the State of Texas.  I understand that the DMV has decided to change this policy and no longer allows owners to register such vehicles as slow moving vehicles based on the DMV's position that UTVs should be treated like ATVs. 
 
For the following four reasons, I believe this policy change is incorrect and inequitable to UTV owners who legitimately use their UTVs for tasks normally required of a slow moving vehicle.   First, I'd like to point out that such a broad-reaching policy change is inequitable without giving the public an opportunity to review such policy and submit their comments.  Second, this policy change is inequitable to current UTV owners who already have their UTVs registered as a slow moving vehicle in the State of Texas.  Third, this policy change severely restricts the available options of vehicle owners who need a registered slow moving vehicle to perform tasks (namely, they are limited to a golf-cart or similar vehicle, which may or may not be rugged enough to complete the tasks needed).  Last, I fail to understand why the DMV would change this policy without a corresponding change in the legal definition of ATV or slow moving vehicle under Texas state law.  Accordingly, I respectfully request that you reverse this new DMV policy change by allowing responsible UTV owners to register their UTVs as a slow moving vehicle on Texas public roadways.
 
Respectfully,
 
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I wish you a great deal of luck with this endeavor.  For some reason Texas is just dead set against atv utv usage on public roadways.  You can ride a 50cc moped on the highways but I cant ride my 700 cc Grizzly.  i can even understand them restricting them from freeways.  When I pull up to a red light my atv doesnt fall over if I dont put my foot down.  If I hit a slick spot I dont fall over and slide down the road.  And just like a motorcycle if I go too fast around a corner I will loose control.  I'll say it again, if we dont get off our dead asses ( mine included ) things will never change.  I would like to hear the response you get from your letter.

 Keithm,

 I'll be glad to post any reply I get from my email.  Not holding my breath tho! lol

About 4 years ago or so, a few of us from this atv forum tried to organize the local ATV community in the greater Houston area.  We started an online and paper petition to repeal Senate Bill 155 (the law that now bans ATVs and other motorized vehicles from most riverbotton areas in Texas...including about 1 million acres of publicly owned land) and to encourage ATVers to write letters to their local and state reps to ask for more public funding of atv riding areas.  We held a big meeting in kingwood, made phone calls to local officials and TX state reps and generally got things stirred up for a few months, but that was just a low-budget grass roots effort that kinda fizzled out without much fan-fair.  It was a difficult effort to say the least... It was similar to hearding cats! lol   I learned alot (like the fact that many offroaders battle amongst themselves - for example, I found that dirt bikers often dont get along with ATVers and ATVers often don't get along with Jeeps/trucks even tho all 3 groups have the same basic goals...we want MORE LAND to ride on!   After that effort died, I lost alot of hope for ever seeing a strong organization of ATVers in Texas.  One person who impressed me the most is Carol Smith...she is a VERY active person in theTexas ATV community....she is very active in seeking public funding of offroad parks like the one in Gilmer, TX and the newer park located on the other side of San Antonio (cant recall the town its in right now).  If you ever want to push for more ATV rights in Texas, I highly recommend that you contact her.  She is well-connected with the TX parks and wildlife dept and very well-versed regarding how to pass legislation in Texas.  If you need her phone number, I can find it for you.

Happy trails...:)

In response to my email that I previously sent to Ms. Rebecca Davio of Tx Dept of Motor Vehicles regarding Registering UTVs for Texas roadways, I received the following email response today:

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On behalf of Rebecca Davio, I would like to apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry, and thank you for expressing your concerns.

Utility-Type Vehicles (UTVs) are small vehicles generally used for maintenance, hunting or recreation. State law classifies these as All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), which prohibits them from being driven on any public roadway.

According to House Bill 2553, effective September 1, 2009, a new definition of Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROV) was added to statute which covers OHVs and all other utility type vehicles that do not fit the definition of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV).

Additionally, the law specifies that neither ATVs nor ROVs may be registered in Texas, although they are required to be titled. House Bill 2553 also eliminates the titling and registration of golf carts.

House Bill 2553 amended the Parks & Wildlife Code to allow for the use of ROVs on public lands provided they display the proper equipment and a registration decal to be in compliance with Federal law. However, this registration decal only provides for operation of these vehicles on public lands. There are no provisions in the federal or state law that allows for use of ROVs on public roadways.

Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) are street legal vehicles manufactured to meet the standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Yamaha Rhino does not meet these standards.

I would like to thank you again for your inquiry and your patience in allowing us to provide you with the most current information. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.


Susie Watson
Correspondence Services
(512)465-7520

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