West Virginia § 17A-13-1 Street-legal special purpose vehicles; operation on highways; registration procedures; licensing requirements; equipment requirements

West Virginia Statutes

§ 17A-13-1 — Street-legal special purpose vehicles; operation on highways; registration procedures; licensing requirements; equipment requirements

West Virginia § 17A-13-1

Ch. 17AMOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATE OF TITLE, AND ANTITHEFT PROVISIONS

Art. 13STREET-LEGAL SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES

This text of West Virginia § 17A-13-1 (Street-legal special purpose vehicles; operation on highways; registration procedures; licensing requirements; equipment requirements) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering West Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

W. Va. Code § 17A-13-1 (2026).

Text

(a)Except as required in subsection (c) of this section, an individual may operate a “street-legal special purpose vehicle” on a street or highway.

(b)For the purposes of this section:

(1)“Special purpose vehicle” includes all-terrain vehicles, utility terrain vehicles, mini-trucks, pneumatic-tired military vehicles, and full-size special purpose-built vehicles, including those self-constructed or built by the original equipment manufacturer and those that have been modified.

(2)“Street-legal special purpose vehicle” is a special purpose vehicle that meets the requirements of this section.

(c)An individual may not operate a special purpose vehicle as a street-legal special purpose vehicle on a highway if:

(1)The highway is a controlled-access system, including, but not limited t

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(a) Except as required in subsection (c) of this section, an individual may operate a “street-legal special purpose vehicle” on a street or highway.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Special purpose vehicle” includes all-terrain vehicles, utility terrain vehicles, mini-trucks, pneumatic-tired military vehicles, and full-size special purpose-built vehicles, including those self-constructed or built by the original equipment manufacturer and those that have been modified.

(2) “Street-legal special purpose vehicle” is a special purpose vehicle that meets the requirements of this section.

(c) An individual may not operate a special purpose vehicle as a street-legal special purpose vehicle on a highway if:

(1) The highway is a controlled-access system, including, but not limited to, interstate systems; or

(2) The county, municipality, or the Division of Natural Resources where the highway is located prohibits special purpose vehicles.

(d) Street-legal special purpose vehicles are prohibited from traveling a distance greater than 20 miles on a highway displaying centerline pavement markings.

(e) All street-legal special purpose vehicles are subject to the certificate of title provisions of §17A-1-1et seq.of this code.

(f) Nothing in this section authorizes the operation of a street-legal special purpose vehicle in an area that is not open to motor vehicle use.

(g) A street-legal special purpose vehicle may be registered in the same manner as provided for motorcycles pursuant to this chapter.

(h) Upon registration of any street-legal special purpose vehicle pursuant to this section, the Division of Motor Vehicles shall issue a registration plate that is of the same size as Class G special registration plates for motorcycles.

(i) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a street-legal special purpose vehicle shall comply with the Division of Motor Vehicles’ licensing, fee, and other requirements pursuant to this chapter.

(j) The owner of a special purpose vehicle being operated as a street-legal special purpose vehicle shall ensure the vehicle is equipped with:

(1) One or more headlamps;

(2) One or more tail lamps;

(3) One or more brake lamps;

(4) A tail lamp or other lamp constructed and placed to illuminate the registration plate with a white light;

(5) One or more red reflectors on the rear;

(6) Amber electric turn system, one on each side of the front;

(7) Amber or red electric turn signals;

(8) A braking system, other than a parking brake;

(9) A horn or other warning device;

(10) A muffler and, if required by an applicable federal statute or rule, an emission control system;

(11) Rearview mirrors on the right and left side of the driver;

(12) A windshield, unless the operator wears eye protection while operating the vehicle;

(13) A speedometer, illuminated for nighttime operation;

(14) For vehicles designed by the manufacturer for carrying one or more passengers, a seat designed for passengers; and

(15) Tires that have at least 2/32 inches or greater tire tread.

(16) When owners of a street-legal special purpose vehicle have ensured that such vehicles are equipped as required by this subsection, and those owners obtain a valid registration card and certificate of insurance for such vehicles, those vehicles are eligible to apply for a motorcycle trailer sticker.

(k) Mini-trucks may not be operated as street-legal special purpose vehicles on highways that have been constructed pursuant to a federal highways program.

(I) Low-speed vehicles as defined in §17A-1-1 of the code are not considered special purpose vehicles or street-legal special purpose vehicles under this section. However, low-speed vehicles may cross state routes at traffic lights when the state route does not have a posted speed limit greater than 40 miles per hour.

(m) The Division of Motor Vehicles shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with §29A-3-1et seq. of this code to implement this section.