← Back to search

HRS §286-12

When you can drive an ATV or UTV on a street

This law says when you may drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) on a public street. You can only do so if you meet certain conditions, like having a driver's license, using it for farm work or government work, and driving on certain roads during daylight. Everyone on the vehicle must wear a safety helmet. Breaking these rules costs $250 per violation.

everyone

The statute, as written — All-terrain vehicle; utility-terrain vehicle; permitted use

(a) All-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles may be operated on a street, as defined in section 291C-1; provided that the all-terrain vehicle or utility-terrain vehicle is: (1) Used as farm equipment, or used by a city, county, or state worker while acting within the scope of that person's official duties; (2) Operated by a person who holds a current category (3) driver's license under section 286-102 or a commercial driver's license under part XIII; (3) Driven on streets that are no more than two lanes, with posted speed limits of no more than thirty-five miles per hour; (4) Used to travel between properties zoned for agriculture, or used by a city, county, or state worker while acting within the scope of that person's official duties to travel between properties under the jurisdiction of the city, county, or State; (5) Used in counties with populations of less than five hundred thousand residents; and (6) Driven on streets during daylight hours; provided further that while in operation, any operator and passenger of an all-terrain vehicle or utility-terrain vehicle shall wear a safety helmet with a securely fastened chin strap that meets the specifications and requirements established by rules adopted by the director. (b) For purposes of this section: "All-terrain vehicle" means a motor vehicle that: (1) Is designed for off-highway operation by a single operator carrying no more than one passenger, if so designed as provided in paragraph (5) of this definition; (2) Is fifty inches or less in width; (3) Has an unladen weight of nine hundred pounds or less; (4) Is suspended on three or more tires; (5) Has a single seat designed to be straddled by the operator, or a single seat designed to be straddled by the operator and a seat for not more than one passenger sitting behind the operator; and (6) Has handlebars for steering control. "Farm equipment" refers to any kind of machinery used on a farm to help with farming, including but not limited to a tractor, cultivator, plow, all-terrain vehicle, or utility-terrain vehicle. "Utility-terrain vehicle" means a motor vehicle that: (1) Is designed to be operated off highway; (2) Is sixty inches or less in width; (3) Has an unladen weight of one thousand three hundred pounds or less; (4) Is suspended on four to six tires; (5) Has a steering wheel for steering control; (6) Is equipped with roll-over protection; (7) Accommodates one driver and one passenger sitting side-by-side; and (8) Is equipped with seat belts for driver and passenger protection. (c) Any person who violates this section shall be fined $250 for each violation. (d) All-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles used as farm equipment shall be regulated as farm equipment and not as motor vehicles. (e) All-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles used by a city, county, or state worker while acting within the scope of that person's official duties shall not be regulated as motor vehicles.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§286-102 Who needs a driver's license and what happens before getting one

§291C-1 Definitions for Hawaii's traffic laws

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.