Curious Iowa: Where are ATVs and UTVs allowed in Iowa?

Growing up, Dan Kleen enjoyed spending time driving dirt bikes and go-carts on his family's farm.

So when Kleen, 66, of Pocahontas, started the Iowa Off-Highway Vehicle Association in 1988, he was simply trying to establish a legal place to ride these types of vehicles.

"Unless you were on back roads with little jurisdiction, you couldn't ride them," Kleen said.

Nearly four decades later, the sentiment about these vehicles — and their popularity — in Iowa has changed drastically. In 2022, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill standardizing rules for ATVs and UTVs across all 99 counties in Iowa, allowing these vehicles to be driven on public roads.

In this installment of Curious Iowa — a series from The Gazette that answers questions about the state, its people, and our culture — we take a look at the laws around operating ATVs and UTVs on public roads where they’re permitted in Iowa.

What are ATVs and UTVs? Where can they be driven?

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An all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, holds one or two people and is straddled like a motorcycle, with vehicles having up to four wheels.

A UTV, also referred to as a utility task vehicle or side-by-side, is a type of off-road utility vehicle capable of hauling heavier loads, with up to six wheels, side-by-side seating, and a steering wheel.

Under Iowa law, registered ATVs and UTVs can be used on undivided two-lane primary highways; unpaved gravel roads; paved, undivided two-lane secondary roads; and designated city streets, following the most direct route between places like parks, trails, and residences.

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The law included restrictions and safety requirements for on-road use, such as the requirement for headlights, taillights, turn signals, and other safety equipment. Other requirements include:

ATVs and UTVs may only be operated on state highways and not travel on four-lane or interstate roads. ATVs are subject to specific conditions, such as agricultural use, surveying, public utility work, emergency services, or trail maintenance.

ATVs, UTVs, and off-road motorcycles (ORMs) — often referred to as dirtbikes — fall under what the Iowa Department of Natural Resources categorizes as off-highway vehicles (OHVs), said Jessica Flatt, recreational grants manager for the Iowa DNR.

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Which cities allow UTVs?

Iowa law allows cities to set their own rules regarding off-highway vehicles. While some communities have embraced them, others have tried to keep them off city streets.

In August 2022, Marion adopted an ordinance allowing UTVs to be operated on streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The ordinance only applies to UTVs — not ATVs or snowmobiles — and vehicles may not travel on 10th Avenue east of 35th Street or East Post Road south of Oak Brook Drive.

The City of North Liberty passed a similar ordinance allowing UTVs with roll bars to be driven on city streets between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. The ordinance does not allow ATVs.

The towns of Solon, Hiawatha, Vinton, Tipton, and Mount Vernon allow UTVs to be operated on city streets. However, specific exceptions pertain to all, and ATVs are generally not allowed.

Linn and Johnson Counties have laws allowing ATVs and UTVs to be driven on secondary roads and some state highways. However, both counties' largest cities — Cedar Rapids and Iowa City — do not allow these vehicles on city streets.

Under Cedar Rapids' law, ATVs, UTVs, golf carts, and snowmobiles cannot be operated on city streets, rights of way, and public property, except for emergency personnel and governmental entities. Exceptions for snowmobiles still exist, while licensed businesses may transport these vehicles by trailer for contracted landscaping, maintenance, and snow removal services.

Those who are caught violating the Cedar Rapids law would be penalized with a traffic citation. Total fines and court costs would be:

In Iowa City, operating an ATV or UTV on city streets is considered a simple misdemeanor, with total fines costing $135.10, according to Iowa City Police public safety information officer Lee Hermiston.

Flatt said the rules for OHVs change depending on how a person is using them, and said local government ordinances will likely change as more data is released on these vehicles' usage.

"I think some local jurisdictions are still reacting to the law change," she said.

How has interest in OHVs changed?

The DNR regulates the rules for OHVs on roadways and highways, Flatt said, and all OHVs must be registered through the county recorders’ offices. She said that since the 2022 law change, the DNR has seen more OHV registrations, particularly in UTVs.

In fiscal year 2022, 38,982 UTVs were registered with the DNR. In fiscal year 2024, 57,394 UTVs were registered — a 47 percent increase in registrations. That growth is seen in registration of ATVs and ORMs, too. Registrations of those vehicles has increased by 21 and 68 percent from 2022, respectively.

"[UTVs] are by far the fastest growing form of our sport," Kleen said. "You can haul more than two people in them, so we're seeing a lot of families getting involved."

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Kleen calls UTVs the "great equalizer" for people with disabilities. After a diving accident in 1987, Kleen uses a wheelchair. His UTV is modified with hand controls that allow him to operate it.

"I'm able to go out and recreate with my family and friends and take the grandkids out a lot," he said. "It's a great time if you do it responsibly and safely."

What are the risks associated with OHV use?

As Iowa has seen the number of OHV users increase, the number of deaths related to use of these vehicles has increased as well.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), from 2019 to 2021, there were 19 deaths related to ATV/UTV crashes. Since 2022, Iowa has recorded at least 12 ATV/UTV deaths per year, with 2024 on pace to surpass the two previous years with 11 fatalities as of Friday.

"I see a lot of people using their UTVs as a second vehicle to drive to the grocery store or whatever, and they just were not designed for that," Kleen said.

Polaris Inc., a manufacturer of ORVs, does not support public road use for many of its ATVs and UTVs, including its popular RZR models.

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Kleen said putting these vehicles, which are only supposed to travel 35 mph, on the road with semi-trucks and other vehicles traveling much faster is "not a safe scenario."

"They are top-heavy machines that are not designed for going 55 mph on a hard service, and they just can't handle making sharp turns," he said.

While Kleen and his association do not support ORVs for on-road usage, he said he approves of users riding them this way as long as they are doing it safely.

"People wear seat belts and follow all the safety procedures when driving their car, but once they start riding ATVs and UTVs, they seem just to throw caution to the wind," he said.

Flatt said the DNR is working closely with the DOT and other agencies to improve the safety of these vehicles.

"We all recognize that since the use of these vehicles has been changing, we need to maybe re-evaluate our safety programs, too," she said.

What about golf carts?

In Iowa, counties and cities may permit licensed drivers to operate golf carts on city streets, excluding primary road extensions.

In Marion, for example, golf carts must be registered at City Hall. Operators must be 16 or older, have a valid driver’s license and have proof of insurance. The vehicle must pass inspection with a rearview mirror, rear reflectors, a slow moving sign or flag and working brakes,

Marion allows golf carts between sunrise and sunset, and they cannot be driven on any street where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph.

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