Qualifying utility terrain vehicles will become street-legal on many South Carolina roads Nov. 18 under a new state law, but the Department of Motor Vehicles is telling owners to keep the vehicles on private property until then.
The law, popular with farmers, hunters and other outdoor drivers, allows a UTV that meets specific equipment and driver requirements to operate on public roads statewide. To qualify, a UTV must have four wheels, a top speed above 55 miles per hour, and a body 80 inches wide or less. It must be equipped with seatbelts, headlights, brake lights, taillights and turn signals. The driver must be at least 17 years old and hold a driver’s license and insurance. Passengers age 8 or younger are not allowed, and any occupant under 21 must wear a helmet with a face shield. Registration will cost $10 for a two-year plate.
Road use is still restricted even after the effective date. UTVs cannot operate on roads with speed limits above 55 miles per hour, cannot travel on interstates, and cannot be driven more than 10 miles from the registered owner’s address. Cities and counties are allowed to impose additional restrictions on where and when UTVs can be used within their jurisdictions, so local ordinances may narrow what is allowed under the state statute.
The measure, filed as S. 222 in the 2025-2026 session by Senators Ott and Stubbs, was ratified by the General Assembly May 14 and signed by Gov. Henry McMaster May 18 as Act No. 164 of 2026. The act adds a new article to Chapter 2 of Title 56 of the state code, defines UTVs and includes registered road-use UTVs in the definition of an individual private passenger automobile. It also allows farmers with valid SCATE cards and driver’s licenses to operate certain UTVs on public roads under specified conditions, revises golf-cart safety-belt requirements for certain minor passengers, and permits golf-cart operation near certain athletic events. The DMV has posted the equipment checklist and registration process for owners who plan to make their machines street-legal when the law takes effect.
