Unique Vehicles

The TxDMV is required to title off-highway vehicles (ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and Sand Rails), but these vehicles are not eligible for registration. Off-highway vehicles are eligible to receive an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate, which may be obtained from your county tax assessor-collector’s office. For Driver License requirements to operate any of these vehicles, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety. A Texas Use Tax will apply to vehicles purchased in other states. Find details on paying use tax visit the Texas Comptroller website..

An All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is a motor vehicle that:

• Has a seat or seats for the rider and one passenger
• Has three or more tires
• Is not more than 50 inches wide
• Is designed for off-highway use
• Is not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn care.

A Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV) is a motor vehicle that:

• Has a seat or seats for the rider and one or more passengers
• Has four or more tires
• Is designed for off-highway use
• Is not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn care.

A Utility Vehicle (UTV) is a motor vehicle that:

• Has side by side seating for the operator and passenger
• Has four or more tires
• Is designed for off-highway use
• Is designed by the manufacturer for utility work and not for recreational purposes.

A Sand Rail is a motor vehicle that:

• Is designed or built for off-highway use in sandy terrains
• Has a tubular frame
• Has an integrated roll cage
• Has an engine that is rear-mounted or placed midway between the front and rear axles
• Has a gross vehicle weight between 700 and 2,000 pounds.

An off-highway vehicle operated on public off-highway vehicle land must have:

• A brake system
• A muffler system
• U.S. Forest Service qualified spark arrester
• A head light and tail light
• An Off-Highway Vehicle decal issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

ATVs, ROVs, UTVs and Sand Rails with an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate may be operated on roads in the following situations:

• In a master planned community with a uniform set of restrictive covenants and a county or municipality-approved plat
• On a road with a posted speed limit of not more than 35 mph, during the daytime and not more than two miles from the location where it is usually parked for transportation to and from a golf course
• To cross intersections, including a road or street that has a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph.

Additionally, cities and certain counties may authorize operation of ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and Sand Rails on roads within the boundaries of the city or within unincorporated areas of certain counties. The ATV, ROV, UTV and Sand Rail must display an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate when operated on roads authorized by the city or county. Operation may be authorized only on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. If operated on the roads at a speed of 25 mph or less, an ATV, ROV, UTV and Sand Rail is required to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem.

ATVs, ROVs, UTVs and Sand Rails may be operated on roads without the issuance of a license plate if the vehicle is:

• Owned by a state, county, or municipality and operated on a public beach or highway to maintain public safety and welfare
• Operated by a farmer or a rancher during the daytime and traveling no more than 25 miles from the point of origin to the destination and used in connection with the production, cultivation, harvesting, etc., of agricultural products*
• Operated by a public utility worker during the daytime for utility work and traveling no more than 25 miles from the point of origin to the destination*
• Operated by a law enforcement officer, or other person who provides firefighting, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services, and traveling no more than 10 miles from the point of origin to the destination*.

*ATVs, ROVs, UTVs and Sand Rails operated on a road without an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate require a triangular orange flag (slow moving emblem) mounted to the back of the vehicle at least six feet above ground level and the vehicle’s headlights and taillights to be illuminated.