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Off-Road Vehicles in Nevada
It’s not legal to ride off-highway vehicles on the roadway in Nevada, and most dirt bikes fall under this designation. However, there are some differences in the law for dirt bikes compared to other off-highway vehicles, such as ATVs or dune buggies. Find out more about whether you can ride a dirt bike on the road below and what legal issues might arise if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident when doing so.Why Can’t You Ride Off-Highway Vehicles on the Roadway?
Off-highway vehicles, or OHVs, are vehicles designed specifically for use off of the roadways. They are not equipped to be safe and fully functional on the road because they are designed for recreational or work purposes in other terrains. When you ride or drive these vehicles on the roadways in Nevada, you create a risk for yourself and other drivers and passengers. Because of this, it’s not legal to operate these vehicles on the road. Off-highway vehicles you can’t operate legally on Nevada roads include:- All-terrain vehicles not certified for use on public roads
- Snowmobiles
- Dune buggies
- Electric bikes
- Trimobiles
- Pocket bikes
- Utility vehicles not certified for use on public roads
- Non-road three- or four-wheeled vehicles
- Dirt bikes not certified for use on public roads
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When Is It Legal to Ride a Dirt Bike on Nevada Streets?
In most cases, individuals who have dirt bikes for recreational purposes cannot legally operate those bikes on the roadways. That means you need a trailer or other way to haul your dirt bikes from your home to an off-road location where you can ride them. However, if you can convert your off-road motorcycle to one that is certified for use on public roads, you can legally operate it on the roadway. That would allow you to use the modified dirt bike to commute or run errands. It would also let you ride the bike directly from your home to a recreational off-road area without having to haul it. To convert your off-highway vehicle into a machine that can legally operate on the roadway, you first have to add the necessary safety equipment. Requirements include brake lights, headlights, mirrors, and other elements to support safety on the road and in and around other traffic.![](https://www.highstakesinjurylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2.jpg)
- A horn
- Headlights
- Turn signals
- Adequate frame
- Reflectors
- Taillights
- Mufflers
- Tires that meet DOT requirements
- Brake lights
- Fenders
- Mirrors
- Brakes
What Happens If You’re Involved in an Accident While Riding a Dirt Bike on the Road?
If you’re involved in an accident on the roadway while riding a dirt bike, your injuries can be serious. That’s especially true if you are in a collision with a car or other larger vehicle. You might wonder whether you can seek compensation for your injuries from other drivers involved in the accident. The answer is complicated and depends on a variety of factors. If you are involved in a distracted driving accident, for example, and the driver of the other vehicle was texting, you may be able to demonstrate they were liable for the incident. However, if you were operating a dirt bike illegally on the streets and the other driver can claim they didn’t see you because you didn’t have reflectors or taillights, you might be deemed liable or partially liable for the accident. These facts can impact the outcome of a case.![](https://www.highstakesinjurylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3.jpg)