Special Vehicles in Kentucky

Off-Road Vehicles

When it comes to off-road vehicles in Kentucky, i.e., vehicles you aren't supposed to have on the road, you don't need to worry about registering them. Depending on the vehicle, however, you may still need to title it.

Take all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), for example: Whether you purchase your ATV from a dealer or from an individual, you should make sure to get a title. However, you don't need to register it since Kentucky doesn't allow you to operate it on public roads.

Snowmobiles, on the other hand, don't need to be registered or titled. Of course, it's best to get a title from the dealer or individual if you ever plan to sell the snowmobile. In other words, it's best to make sure you can prove the snowmobile is yours.

Guidelines for ATV Riders

You must be 16 years old or older to operate an ATV with more than 90 ccs. If you're under 16, you can only operate an ATV under 90 ccs, and even then you must have parental supervision.

You must be 12 years old or older to operate an ATV with more than 70 ccs. If you're under 12, you can only operate an ATV under 70 ccs, and you must also have parental supervision.

You can find more rules and regulations regarding ATVs on page 63 in the Kentucky Drivers Manual.

Trailers

Trailers are a different story.

In Kentucky, you don't have to register your utility trailer if you only plan to use it within the state. However, since not all states recognize Kentucky's laws, you will need to register your trailer if you plan to take it outside KY.

You can't register anything without a title, so make sure you have one for your utility trailer.

Then, simply head to your local County Clerk's office with the title and apply to register it. Your registration fee will vary depending on the size of your trailer, so you may want to call ahead for details.

And don't worry―the process to register a trailer is similar to that of registering a regular passenger vehicle, so there won't be any surprises. Well, none out of the norm.

For more information about trailer regulations, check out our cleverly titled How to Pull a Trailer.

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