Due to the recent fatality of a young man involving a two All-Terrain-Vehicle accident, The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of the safety and laws of operating these vehicles. All-Terrain Vehicles are prohibited on a public roadway as in the Texas Transportation Code.
All-Terrain Vehicles are specifically designed for off-highway use, and the use of an All-Terrain Vehicle on a public roadway places the rider and passengers in danger.
A person younger than 14 years of age may not operate an All-Terrain Vehicle unless the person is under the direct supervision of the person’s parent or guardian or an adult whom the parent or guardian authorizes.
A person may not carry a passenger on an All-Terrain vehicle unless the All-Terrain vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger on it.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to stay safe and always wear safety equipment such as helmets and eye protection when operating All-Terrain Vehicles. Below is a list of Transportation Codes that will be enforced by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in violation of Chapter 663, which is the certain Off Highway Vehicles.
The following are examples of Off-Highway Vehicles but not limited in the definition: All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Side by Side, and Quad
Sec. 663.034. SAFETY APPAREL IS REQUIRED. A person may not operate, ride, or be carried on an all terrain vehicle on public property or a beach unless the person wears: a safety helmet that complies with United States Department of Transportation standards; eye protection.
Sec. 663.036. CARRYING PASSENGERS. A person may not carry a passenger on an all-terrain vehicle operated on public property or a beach unless the all-terrain vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger.
Sec. 663.037. OPERATION ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS IS PROHIBITED. (a) A person may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street, road, or highway except as provided by this section. The operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the vehicle across a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway if the operator: brings the vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the roadway; yields the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard; and makes the crossing: At an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway; At a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and with the vehicle’s headlights and taillights lighted.
Sec. 551A.034. CROSSING HIGHWAY AT POINT OTHER THAN INTERSECTION. (a) The operator of an off-highway vehicle may drive the vehicle across a highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway at a point other than an intersection if the operator: brings the vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the roadway; yields the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard; and makes the crossing:
At an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway;
At a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and
with the vehicle’s headlights and taillights lighted.
The operator of an off-highway vehicle may drive the vehicle across a divided highway other than an interstate or limited access highway only at an intersection of the highway with another highway.
Sec. 551A.052. REGISTRATION; LICENSE PLATES. Except as provided by Section 502.140(c), the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may not register an off-highway vehicle for operation on a highway regardless of whether any alteration has been made to the vehicle. An operator may operate an unregistered off-highway vehicle on a highway in a manner authorized by this subchapter only if the vehicle displays a license plate issued under this section. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Shall, by rule, establish a procedure to issue license plates for unregistered off-highway vehicles; and May charge a fee not to exceed $10 for the cost of the license plate, to be deposited to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. An off-highway vehicle license plate issued under Subsection (c) does not expire. A person who becomes the owner of an off-highway vehicle for which the previous owner obtained a license plate may not use the previous owner’s license plate.
Sec. 551A.073. RECKLESS OR CARELESS OPERATION PROHIBITED. A person may not operate an off-highway vehicle on public off-highway vehicle land or a beach in a careless or reckless manner that endangers, injures, or damages any person or property.
Sec. 663.032. OPERATION BY PERSON YOUNGER THAN 14. A person younger than 14 years of age who is operating an all-terrain vehicle must be accompanied by and be under the direct supervision of the person’s parent or guardian; or an adult who is authorized by the person’s parent or guardian.
