THE BILL ITSELF
HB 101
Utility Terrain Vehicles
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to utility terrain vehicles; creating
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s. 316.21275, F.S.; defining terms; authorizing a
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utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to be operated during
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all hours; authorizing the operation of UTVs on
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certain roadways; authorizing the operation of UTVs on
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certain parts of the State Highway System; authorizing
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the Department of Transportation to prohibit the use
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of UTVs under certain circumstances; authorizing
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persons possessing certain licenses to operate a UTV;
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requiring owners or operators of a UTV to comply with
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certain requirements and regulations; authorizing a
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county or municipality to restrict the operation of
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UTVs under certain circumstances; providing civil
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penalties; amending s. 320.0847, F.S.; requiring the
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Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to
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issue a license plate to the owner or lessee of a
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vehicle registered as a UTV upon payment of certain
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taxes and fees; requiring that license plates for UTVs
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comply with specified provisions; providing an
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effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Section 316.21275, Florida Statutes, is created
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to read:
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316.21275 Operation of a UTV on certain roadways.—
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(1) As used in this section, the term:
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(a) "Direct supervision" means a person is in the adjacent
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front passenger seat of the UTV being operated.
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(b) "Utility terrain vehicle" or "UTV" means a vehicle
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less than 70 inches in width which has at least two seats
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allowing passengers to sit in a side-by-side manner, is operated
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by foot controls and a steering wheel, and is equipped with
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headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, tail lamps, rearview
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mirrors, a windshield, seat belts, and a horn.
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(2) A UTV may be operated during all hours.
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(3) A UTV may be operated only upon:
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(a) A two-lane county road with a posted speed limit of
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less than 55 miles per hour which has been designated for UTV
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use by a county; or
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(b) A two-lane municipal street with a posted speed limit
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of less than 55 miles per hour which has been designated for UTV
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use by a municipality.
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Before making such designation, the responsible county or
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municipality must first determine that a UTV may safely travel
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on or cross the public road or street, considering factors
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including the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle
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traffic using the road or street.
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(4) A person may operate a UTV on the State Highway System
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only when necessary to cross the highway at an angle of
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approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the roadway and at
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a place where a quick and safe crossing can be made. The
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Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of UTVs
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on any road in its jurisdiction if it determines that such
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prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
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(5) A person may operate a UTV only if he or she possesses
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a driver license pursuant to s. 322.18, or the person possesses
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a learner's driver license pursuant to s. 322.1615 and is under
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the direct supervision of a licensed driver.
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(6) The owner or operator of a UTV must comply with all of
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the following requirements and regulations:
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(a) Obey traffic regulations enumerated in this chapter
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and operate his or her UTV with due care.
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(b) Provide proof of ownership under chapter 317 upon
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request of a law enforcement officer.
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(c) Fulfill all insurance requirements pursuant to ss.
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324.022 and 627.736.
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(d) Ensure that the UTV has the proper license plate
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pursuant to s. 320.0847.
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(e) Maintain the registration certificate or a copy
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thereof in the UTV pursuant to s. 320.0605.
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(7) A county or municipality may enact an ordinance
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regarding UTV operation and equipment which is more restrictive
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than those requirements enumerated in this section.
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(8) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of
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a UTV on any road or street under its jurisdiction if the
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governing body of such county or municipality determines that
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such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
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(9) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic
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infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation, as provided in
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chapter 318.
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Section 2. Section 320.0847, Florida Statutes, is amended
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to read:
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320.0847 Mini truck, utility terrain vehicle, and low-
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speed vehicle license plates.—
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(1) The department shall issue a license plate to the
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owner or lessee of any vehicle registered as a low-speed vehicle
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as defined in s. 320.01, or a mini truck as defined in s.
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320.01, or a utility terrain vehicle as defined in s.
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316.21275(1) upon payment of the appropriate license taxes and
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fees prescribed in s. 320.08.
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(2) The license plate for a low-speed vehicle, or mini
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truck, or utility terrain vehicle must shall comply with the
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provisions of s. 320.06.
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Section 3. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.