HB 592

HLS 26RS-192  REENGROSSED
 2026 Regular Session
 HOUSE BILL NO. 592
 BY REPRESENTATIVE CHANCE HENRY
 MTR VEHICLE/OFF ROAD: Removes the prohibition against utility terrain vehicles
  operating on parish roads without a designation by the parish or municipality
1AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 32:299.3(B) through (E), relative to the operation of utility
3terrain vehicles; to remove the prohibition against utility terrain vehicles operating
4on parish roads without a designation by the parish or municipality; to authorize
5utility terrain vehicles to operate on parish roads as long as the operator complies
6with age, license requirements, and insurance compliance; to authorize a
7governmental entity to regulate utility terrain vehicles as long as signage is posted
8providing notice of the regulations; to provide for restrictions on speed and eligible
9roadways to be used by utility terrain vehicles; to provide for registration; and to
10provide for related matters.
11 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
12Section 1. R.S. 32:299.3(B) through (E) are hereby amended and reenacted to read
13 as follows:
14§299.3. Off-road vehicles; utility terrain vehicles
15*       *  *
16B. Notwithstanding the provisions in R.S. 32:299, the operation of a utility
17terrain vehicle upon the public roads or streets of this state is prohibited, except as
18follows:
19(1) A utility terrain vehicle may be operated only upon a parish road that has
20been designated by a parish or a municipal street that has been designated by a
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1municipality for use by a utility terrain vehicle. Upon a designation that a utility
2terrain vehicle may be operated on a designated road or street, the responsible
3governmental entity shall post appropriate signage indicating that the operation is
4authorized.
5(1) A registered utility terrain vehicle may be operated upon any parish or
6state road or municipal street provided such activity is in compliance with the
7requirements contained in this Section.
8(2) To protect public safety, a local governmental subdivision may regulate
9or restrict the operation of registered utility terrain vehicles on public roadways or
10municipal streets and may, at its discretion, post signage providing notice of such
11regulation or restriction.
12(2) A utility terrain vehicle may cross any divided highway, highway,
13roadway, or street with a posted speed limit in excess of thirty-five miles per hour
14at an intersection.
15C. A utility terrain vehicle operated on any roadway or street shall be
16equipped with the minimum motor vehicle equipment appropriate for motor vehicle
17safety consistent with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards within 49 CFR
18Part 571, headlamps, front and rear turn signal lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, reflex
19reflectors, including one on each side as far to the rear as practicable and one red
20reflector on the rear of the vehicle, an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side
21of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the
22vehicle or an interior mirror, a parking brake, an adequate windshield, a windshield
23wiper, speedometer, odometer, braking for each wheel, a seat belt assembly installed
24at each designated seating position, and a vehicle identification or serial number.
25D.(1) Any utility terrain vehicle operated upon a parish road or municipal
26street shall be registered with the state of Louisiana through the Department of
27Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, as an off-road vehicle and
28shall display proper registration a decal issued by the office of motor vehicles.
29(2) Registration of utility terrain vehicles may include a quick response (QR)
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1code containing encrypted vehicle and registration information accessible to
2authorized law enforcement personnel. This provision shall take effect when the
3department's electronic vehicle and title registration system is updated to
4accommodate the registration of these vehicles and the issuance of QR codes.
5E. A person operating a utility terrain vehicle shall be at least twenty-one
6years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.
7*       *  *
  DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 592 Reengrossed  2026 Regular Session  Chance Henry
Abstract: Authorizes the operation of utility terrain vehicles on parish or state roads and
  municipal streets statewide without the requirement of local designation.
Present law regulates the operation of off-road vehicles, including utility terrain vehicles
(UTVs), on public roads. Present law prohibits UTVs from operating on parish roads or
municipal streets unless designated by the parish or municipality.
Proposed law removes this requirement and authorizes registered UTVs to operate on parish
roads and municipal streets statewide.
Present law requires UTVs to be equipped with safety features including headlights,
taillights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and seat belts. Present law imposes speed
restrictions and other operational limitations. Present law requires operators to be at least
21 years old, hold a valid driver's license, and maintain proof of liability insurance.
Proposed law permits a governmental entity to regulate or restrict the operation of UTVs if
signage is posted providing notice of the regulations.
Present law authorizes utility terrain vehicles to cross any divided highway, highway,
roadway, or street with a posted street limit in excess of thirty-five miles per hour at an
intersection.
Proposed law removes present law.
Present law requires UTVs to be equipped with safety features including headlights,
taillights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and seat belts.
Proposed law requires that the minimum motor vehicle equipment in UTVs be consistent
with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, within federal law.
Present law requires UTVs be registered with the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections
(DPS&C), office of motor vehicles (OMV), as an off road vehicle and display a registration
decal issued by the OMV.
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  HB NO. 592
Proposed law requires UTVs be registered with the DPS&C, OMV and display proper
registration from the OMV.
Proposed law authorizes the inclusion of a quick response code through the registration
process that only law enforcement can use to access registration information. Specifies that
this provision will not take effect until the department's system is updated to accommodate
it.
Present law requires a person operating a UTV be at least 21 years old and possess a valid
driver's license.
Proposed law removes the requirement that a UTV operator be at least 21 years of age.
(Amends R.S. 32:299.3(B)-(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
   The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
    Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
   1.      Make technical changes.
   2.      Remove an authorization for utility terrain vehicles to cross any divided
  highway, highway, roadway, or street with a posted street limit in excess of
  thirty-five miles per hour at an intersection.
   3.      Provide for provisions to apply to registered utility terrain vehicles.
   4.      Add a provision for minimum motor vehicle equipment standards to align with
  certain federal standards.
   5.      Require registration of utility terrain vehicles have a QR code, and specify that
  this provision will take effect when the department's system is updated to
  accommodate the registration of utility terrain vehicles and the issuance of QR
  codes.
   6.      Remove minimum age requirement for operating a utility terrain vehicle.
   7.      Remove a requirement that a utility terrain vehicle be registered as an off-road
  vehicle and that the office of motor vehicles issue a decal.
   The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
   1.      Make technical changes.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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