During the last legislative session, changes were made that amended the statute for ATV and UTV use for agricultural purposes. Below is an overview of the changes. For a printable version, click here. 

Farmers and ranchers in Kansas often use All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and work-site Utility Vehicles (UTVs) in their day-to-day operations. Depending on the location of their operation, it may be practical and efficient for producers to use these vehicles on state and federal highways to access nearby property.

LEGISLATIVE STATUS

Senate Bill 63 was enacted in the 2019 Legislative Session in Kansas. Among other things, this legislation amends current statute to allow ATVs and UTVs used for agricultural purposes to:
  1. cross state and federal highways; and
  2. operate on state and federal highways under the following conditions:
    1. the operator must be a licensed driver and be adhering to the restrictions of their license
    2. the state or federal highway must have a posted speed limit of 65 mph or less
    3. it must be operated as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when making or preparing to make a left turn.

The other provisions previously outlined in the statute are still in force.

KFB POLICY

Motivated by member-approved policy, Kansas Farm Bureau worked alongside the Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol and others to ensure producers can effectively use their equipment as implements of husbandry.

“Regulations regarding the transporting of agricultural equipment, vehicles and implements of husbandry must be practical.

Regulations should also recognize the unique characteristics of agricultural transportation, distance to markets, seasonal needs, and the need to maximize efficiencies in transport.

ATVs, UTVs and micro-utility trucks used in farming and ranching should be statutorily defined as implements of husbandry.” (TU-1, pg. 49)