Are Dune Buggies Street Legal?

Are Dune Buggies Street Legal?
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Are dune buggies street legal? What makes a dune buggy street legal? A street-legal dune buggy is fully legal and can be driven on public or privately owned properties as well as portions of the highway designated for off-highway vehicles.

However, for your dune buggy to be street legal, it must meet and comply with certain requirements. Want to know how to register your dune buggy to be street legal?

Keep reading?

Several states in the US do not recognize a street legal dube buggy. In fact, most states prohibit riders from driving dune buggies on public roads. This is largely due to the safety of other road users and dune buggy riders.

As you already know, dune buggies are usually not built like ordinary vehicles. As such, several states prohibit driving one on public roads. One of those states is Florida where you can ride your dune buggy on unpaved roads only and during daylight hours. Also, you must not exceed the legal speed limit of 35 MPH.

Another state where dune buggies are not legal is Massachusetts. The state imposed strict laws on dune buggies and other recreational vehicles. In fact, they prohibit driving them on any town, county, city or state-maintained roads.

Lastly, we have Wisconsin, where it’s also illegal to drive dune buggies on any road. Many other states have also adopted similar laws and prohibit riders from driving dune buggies on public roads because of safety concerns.

However, there are a couple of states where a street legal dune buggy can be driven on public streets and roads as long as they meet certain requirements. 

There are a couple of states where dune buggies are street legal. One of those states is California. The state has some of the most dune buggy and ATV-friendly laws in the country. This is besides regulations about registration, driver safety and more.

In the state of California, dune buggies are usually classified as recreational off-road/highway vehicles. When you’re using your dune buggy on public or privately owned lands, you need an OHV sticker or highway license.

Dune buggies require a Green Sticker to be placed on the left quadrant of the metal frame to ensure it’s clearly visible from the rear. You can purchase your Green Sticker from the local DMV in California.

Children can also operate dune buggies in California. However, they must be at least 16 years of age or older. Additionally, they must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian or another adult authorized by the parent or guardian.

States like South Dakota and Montana also permit the registration of dune buggies as street legal vehicles. So, you could register your dune buggy in one of these states

When you register your dune buggy in another state, there are certain requirements that you’ll need to comply with.

First, you need to install at least one headlight on your dune buggy. This will ensure proper visibility of driving during low light conditions or nighttime. As such, you can avoid accidents.

Second, you need to install tail lights along with the headlights. The taillight helps to indicate your intentions when driving on the road. For example, if you brake to slow down or stop, the taillights will indicate your intention to other road users.

Third, equip your dune buggy with brakes. Make sure the brakes are functioning to ensure reliable stopping power. Next, we have the muffler. Equip your “street legal dune buggy” with a working muffler. Make sure the muffler has no bypasses or cutouts to comply with noise regulations.

Additionally, you need to equip your dune buggy with safety equipment just like an ordinary vehicle. That means installing a windshield with wipers, seat belts and a light to illuminate the license plate.

To register your off-highway vehicle such as a dune buggy, you’ll need an application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form. You’ll also need proof of ownership such as: 

  • A certified copy or original copy of the factory invoice to the non-California licensed dealer
  • Manufacturer’s certificate
  • Out-of-state titling documents
  • Bill of sale. 

The last document will help establish the chain of ownership to you. 

You’ll also need to obtain the verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form that must be completed by an authorized DMV employee, vehicle verifier, peace officer or auto club employee. You might also need the following forms: 

Certificate of Non-Operational/Planned Non-Operation Certificate (REG 102)

An Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (REG 227)

An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers and Documents (REG 156).

Once your registration is approved, you’ll receive a DMV-issued identification. At the time of registration renewal, a new ID plate is usually issued every two years. You’ll receive a Green ID plate to indicate that you comply with California Air Resources Board emission standards. If your dune buggy does not meet these standards, you’ll receive a Red ID plate.

You can renew your OHV ID when it expires in June of the second calendar year after receiving your original OHV ID. To avoid a 50% late fee penalty, you must send or mail and postmark renewal fees on or before June 30th. Remember, fees cannot be prorated even when paid late.

Final Thoughts

Even with an OHV ID, it’s unsafe to drive your dune buggy on the highway. This is because other vehicles travel at a high rate of speed. As such, most states outlaw dune buggy owners from driving on highways even where two or more lanes are travelling in a similar direction.

However, in California, there are instances where dune buggies can go on the highway. For example, you can drive your street legal dune buggy on portions of the highway designed for off-highway vehicles. Additionally, you may also go on the highway when it is at a 90-degree angle to the traffic.

Before you drive your dune buggy on public roads, check your state laws.