SxS on road in NC

Infamous1

Infamous1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Location
Pittsboro
Senate Bill 241 was signed into law yesterday by Governor Cooper. The effective date on the bill is October 1st, 2021 - which means, that will be the date at which you can register and tag your UTV/SXS for road use in NC. Once tagged, you'll be able to ride it on secondary roads and four-lane roads 35 mph and below.

I may have missed it if someone has already posted. Wonder how or if they will do inspections? Just liability insurance if it is paid for? I am intrigued let us discuss....
 
What was the larger discussion politically that led to it? In the nanny state of nc with its chicken little governor it seems like an impossibility that they would allow sxs on public roads.
 
Last year they passed the bill that legalized Roxors, that is the one that blows my mind. I'm assuming mahindra must have lobbied for that.

Since then a few private citizens have been lobbying hard to modify that Roxor bill, and it worked. I know that the owner of Unseen Pass SxS rentals in West Jefferson put in a lot of work to get this passed, and im sure some other people.
 
The bill doesnt say anything about inspections. It is basically under a similar section with mini-trucks and golf carts, so I suspect no inspection but likely will need to have insurance.

It does list out the requirements for safety equipment:

A modified utility vehicle shall be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, speedometer, seat belts, and a vehicle identification number. Any such required equipment shall be maintained in proper working order.

If a modified utility vehicle does not have a vehicle identification number, upon application by the owner, the Division shall assign a vehicle identification number to the modified utility vehicle prior to registration.

The operator of and all passengers on a modified utility vehicle that is not equipped with a windshield and windshield wipers shall wear a safety helmet, with a retention strap properly secured, that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 15 (FMVSS) 218.

https://nc4x4.com/forum/threads/street-legal-sxss.199128/

The real question I have... does this open the door to allow people to get buggies made street legal? Seems like it would, but not sure on the definition of "manufactured."
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
The real question I have... does this open the door to allow people to get buggies made street legal? Seems like it would, but not sure on the definition of "manufactured."
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Given what the bill says, it's the case already

In 2020, legislation was passed to define a "modified utility vehicle"and authorize its operation on highways
[...]
A modified utility vehicle is a four-wheeled motor vehicle manufactured for off-road use with specified equipment, not including a vehicle identification number (the Division must assign one prior to registration if it does not have one), that doesn't require the operator or passenger to straddle a seat. It is narrowly defined to include only vehicles with an engine displacement greater than 2,400 cubic centimeters, a length of 142 inches or greater, a width of 58 inches or greater, a height of 70 inches or greater, and a maximum speed capability of 40 mph or greater.
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Am I wrong ?


The problem, as I understand it, will be to insure such buggy for road use.
 
Bebop said:
Given what the bill says, it's the case already



Am I wrong ?


The problem, as I understand it, will be to insure such buggy for road use.
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Yup, insurance always seems to be a hurdle. Not all insurance companies currently offer policies for ATV/UTV currently in NC. Im guessing this may push a change there?

I will be interested in how all that works, come Oct. Based on the bill, they will assign a VIN if it doesnt have one already. The real question is to the term "manufactured", and does that mean it has to be a recognized brand? I seem to see that BK is/has registered as a manufacturer to get around some of that?
 
Manufactured = different than converted.

Basically you cannot take a Jeep, remove the title from it somehow (crash, lost, sold, you name it), then use this law to title it again.

It has to be a vehicle that was purpose built as an offroad vehicle from the ground up.


That's how I understand it.
 
I just got back from Indiana and there were side by sides running all over the place. If they are not tagged by the DMV they can run on any road except state highways. If you tag them you can run on state highways. You are also allowed to cross a state highway in order to continue on a non state road.
 
Bebop said:
Manufactured = different than converted.

Basically you cannot take a Jeep, remove the title from it somehow (crash, lost, sold, you name it), then use this law to title it again.

It has to be a vehicle that was purpose built as an offroad vehicle from the ground up.


That's how I understand it.
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That is how I interpret also. NC already has "Custom Built" and "replica" titles. My understanding is that you have to have paperwork proving you purchased all of the parts and they are not stolen. I know those titles/vehicles have to be "inspected" by a DMV officer to get the title processed, similar to a bonded title. It likely all depends on the inspector you get.
 
We went to downtown CLT Sunday and as we were at a stoplight at 5th and Tryon, a group of probably 12 went rolling by on Tryon on dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. Several weren’t wearing helmets. 3 did wheelies as they went thru the intersection. I thought maybe they were celebrating the bill, but in actuality, I doubt they’ve heard of it.
 
Another thought about this, with the places to wheel full sized rigs getting farther and farther away, trading the Jeep on a SXS has been a thought, but then Honestly one thing that held me back was that my Jeep can be driven on the road. Now that seems to be a mute point. I guess now the only plus for Jeep vs SXS is my Jeep is paid for.
 
VortecJeep said:
We went to downtown CLT Sunday and as we were at a stoplight at 5th and Tryon, a group of probably 12 went rolling by on Tryon on dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. Several weren’t wearing helmets. 3 did wheelies as they went thru the intersection. I thought maybe they were celebrating the bill, but in actuality, I doubt they’ve heard of it.
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There is a club/gang near downtown that seems to own the roads. I have heard/seen many stories over the years of them riding around downtown, even on camera, with no real punishment. Definitely not doing it legally, and the groups that I have seen would likely play the discrimination claims quickly.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
There is a club/gang near downtown that seems to own the roads. I have heard/seen many stories over the years of them riding around downtown, even on camera, with no real punishment. Definitely not doing it legally, and the groups that I have seen would likely play the discrimination claims quickly.
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No doubt this is the same gang.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
There is a club/gang near downtown that seems to own the roads. I have heard/seen many stories over the years of them riding around downtown, even on camera, with no real punishment. Definitely not doing it legally, and the groups that I have seen would likely play the discrimination claims quickly.
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Watched them ride by a cop and give him a bird the other day. Thought about accidentally sneezing and stomping the gas...
 
oh yay, more dumbskulls slowing traffic...i truly want every moron that voted for liquorcycles being on the roadways to a life of only being able to license, insure and ride one
 
oscar80 said:
So this is for a friend are they going to nail my friend for back taxes since he didn't list his sxs on his person property form for the county?
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Not if he “just “ bought it.
 
I just added full coverage to my commander 800 through progressive. Under 200 per year.
In the past I only had theft and fire and it was over 100, seemed like a no brainer to add the extra coverage for 40 bucks.
 
I just saw my first Roxor driving south on Hwy 68 a mile from my house. It was sand color with an older guy driving it pulling a waverunner.
 
Insurance isn’t a problem. I had it on my golf cart shuttle that I drove around downtown Winston.
 
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