Complying with West Virginia`s ATV laws not only protects you and avoids legal penalties such as fines, but can also help limit your liability in the event of an accident. If you have an ATV accident in West Virginia, your failure to wear a helmet or comply with state laws could cause you to take partial responsibility for the accident. West Virginia maintains a comparative negligence law, meaning that a plaintiff found partially liable for personal injury loses a portion of his settlement or case decision equal to his percentage of culpability. For example, a plaintiff convicted of 10% of a $50,000 ATV accident claim would instead lose 10% of the case price, or $5,000 for a net premium of $45,000. By following West Virginia`s ATV laws, you can reduce your risk of injury and avoid becoming one of the following statistics: West Virginia`s traffic laws regarding ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides have changed. Under Senate Bill 690, passed in March 2020, drivers can now drive their vehicles on certain public roads with certain restrictions. SPVs must comply with all traffic laws and traffic rules West Virginia also maintains several other specific laws related to the safety and legality of ATV operations in the state. The West Virginia University Center for Rural Emergency Medicine provides a comprehensive overview of West Virginia`s ATV crash laws and statistics in the state. www.transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Safety/ATV-Safety/Pages/laws.aspx Some local laws may apply to one class and not another, so check local resources ahead of time. All ATV riders in West Virginia must comply with state laws at all times. Drivers must exercise good judgment when operating ATVs, including on private property. These vehicles are fun, but they are also incredibly dangerous if abused or driven irresponsibly. If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident due to another party`s negligence, contact a personal injury attorney in West Virginia as soon as possible to discuss your options for legal action.
An accident lawyer can also help you get the financial compensation you deserve. Failure to comply with these laws may result in fines or loss of licenses. A first offence could be considered an administrative offence. An offence can result in a fine of up to $100 and ten hours of community service. A second offence is punishable by a fine of up to $200 and a fine of up to 20 hours of community service. ATV operators and passengers driving exclusively on private property with the owner`s permission are not required to comply with the laws described above. There are a few other ATV laws you should also be aware of if you plan to ride an ATV: Out-of-state registered vehicles: West Virginia does not have specific helmet laws for street-approved UTVs registered in other states. Since helmets are mandatory for occupants under the age of 18 in all other circumstances, we recommend that you do the same, as local law enforcement is more familiar with them. U.S. ATV owners who like to take these vehicles off-road should be aware that ATVs are subject to state laws as motor vehicles, and West Virginia has several laws that apply to ATV use in the state. If you own an ATV or plan to buy one, it`s important to know these laws. Complying with ATV laws in West Virginia will help ensure safety and avoid legal penalties.
UTVs and other off-road vehicles using hard roads or shoulders in West Virginia must follow all laws and rules of the road. In addition, the following requirements must be met. Drivers who do not comply with these laws face licence suspension, a fine of up to $100 and a conviction for misdemeanor and community service. ATVs are popular in West Virginia and across the country, but using them can also lead to dangerous accidents. If you own one of these vehicles, you should familiarize yourself with the laws that apply to its use. Compliance with the law will help you avoid ATV accidents as well as the legal penalties that come with non-compliance. Continuing our series of articles analyzing ATV laws in each state that emerged from this article, this article examines ATV laws in West Virginia. It`s also worth noting that while I`m a lawyer, I`m not your attorney, I`m not licensed to practice in West Virginia, and I don`t give legal advice. If you have any questions, you should consult a local lawyer. Here are also things you need to know to drive smart and safely: Windshield (optional – eye protection must be worn otherwise) Smalley said people have been arrested and their ATVs impounded for driving fully licensed vehicles on country roads since state law went into effect.
Please note that we are not lawyers, so this should not be construed as legal advice. Read the bill and make sure you fully comply with the law. Passengers are not permitted to drive their vehicles on controlled access roads, highways or roads that a county, municipality or Department of Natural Resources has defined as closed to special vehicles. Install the equipment listed below and have your vehicle inspected. Note that you will need to tow your vehicle to the inspection site. After passing the inspection, go to the DMV and apply to register a special purpose vehicle, then fill out the paperwork they give you. Once the DMV completes your application, you will receive a motorcycle license plate identifying your ORV as a special purpose vehicle legal for the road in West Virginia. DUNBAR, W.Va (WSAZ) — Drivers are now allowed to ride their ATVs and other SUVs on most West Virginia roads under Senate Bill 690, passed in March. ATVs are only legal on roads without a yellow line, and in some areas you can drive up to ten miles from the starting point on any road. VPDs cannot operate on highways, controlled access highways or roads where their use is prohibited by a local ordinance. Local ordinances may prohibit VPDs in all or part of a city, city or county, or on certain roads.
„We see so many people from Ohio just because West Virginia attracts them,“ Smalley said. „You can go out. They have the mountains, the beauty, and I see that makes it a great tourist attraction from the business side by side and off-road. With regard to distance travelled, the law states: „Specially designed and approved vehicles on the road are prohibited from travelling a distance of more than 20 miles on a highway bearing central markings. This seems to mean that 20 miles is the total distance traveled, not 20 miles in one direction or within a 20-mile radius of the starting point. In this context, the term „highway“ refers to any public road. Under state law, an SUV is a motor vehicle less than 52 inches long and with a curb weight of less than 800 pounds. Parents, guardians or other persons who are responsible for a child under 18 years of age and who know that their child is operating an off-road vehicle without a helmet may be charged with an offence resulting in: Equipment: Unregistered off-road vehicles must be equipped with a spark arrestor and a functioning „manufacturer-installed silencer or equivalent“ that is fully connected to the vehicle. Headlights and taillights are only needed when the vehicle is operating between sunset and sunrise, in which case they must be switched on. Drive on any road with a center line EXCEPT to cross. West Virginia allows certain off-road vehicles to register as Authorized Special Purpose Vehicles (VPS) on the road. SPVs can be driven on central roads across the state for up to 20 miles at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
Many points are mentioned directly in the statutes to preserve the original wording. If you have any questions, contact your local VDD or local law enforcement agencies. UTVs, side-by-side vehicles, ATVs, mini-trucks, pneumatic military vehicles, and full-size vehicles, including self-built machines and heavily modified production vehicles, can all be registered as SPVs.