RTV on the road.

[TwoNFordboy]

Hello,

Has anyone reigstered (if you even can where you are) their RTV for road use?
Here in New Hampshire we have plates for farm tractors, and construction equipment. If you are going to have either on the road you have to register them and get plates. After talking to the city clerk, with whom one does the registering, we decided the RTV was in fact not construction equipment and therefore a tractor. An other option was registering it as an OHRV (off highway rec. veh.) but it weighs too much, is too wide and the tires have too high a psi rating. Thus, it must be a tractor.
Well I hope so, I haven't taken it out as yet to see what the members of the law enforcement community have to say.
My only hang up may be that "tractors" by defiinition cannot carry a load, only pull one. A rather dated view of tractors in my opinion.

 

[Pumpkin]

In Louisiana the RTV is not legal for highway use.</P>


It has a LA title with the office of motor vehicles and a sticker license attached to the vehicle, its</P>


licensed as a ORV. </P>


I have a insurance policy on the RTV, for theft etc.</P>


PS: My HONDA ATVs-- 500 and 300 also have Louisiana titles and insurance policy.</P>


Enjoy it, Sheriffs deputy did not bother me this week on country blacktops. But also it</P>


is election time.</P>


Pumpkin</P>


West Louisiana</P>

 

[TWO GUNS]

The sticker, which you were talking about for the RTV. That's just a sneaky way Louisiana has to show that you paid the tax on the purchase of a vehicle. </P>


Louisiana Law // Statutory Criminal Law & Procedure /// R.S. 32:299</P>


I'm going to shorten this up a little, it's coming from a Louisiana Law Book /////</P>


Off-road vehicles, three & four wheelers & other all-terrain vehicles, are hereby permitted to travel on theSHOULDERS of all public roads & highways except interstate highways. Operator possesses a valid Class " E" driver's licence and at least own one motor vehicle which is registered with the Dept. of Public Safety & Corrections, office of motor vehicles. Daylight hours only. Also, they may operate on the shoulders of improved asphalt or concrete shoulders except an interstate highways and have SAFETY TRIANGLES ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE OFF ROAD VEHICLES.( 32:376) OR WARNING LIGHTS AND OR SLOW MOVEING VEHICLE EMBLEMS. Proof of the off-road vehicles being used in farming operations shall have evidence of equipment used for farming operations thereof ~~~</P>


I checked with my La. State Policebuddy, he said the equipment used for farming operations could be just a pump-up sprayer tied on the back of a wheeler, and have the safety triangle attached.</P>


In other words, don't just run down the middle of the road showing your butt !!!!!!</P>


</P>


</P>

 

[bczoom]

2N,

As you've seen, the laws for vehicles are a real mess and the RTV doesn't fall into any particular category.

My thoughts/suggestions:
The designation of type of vehicle (be it construction, farm/tractor, recreational) is commonly determined by its "primary" usage.
It sounds like you've gone through the steps with the city clerk to determine what type of vehicle it is by basically negating the other types due to the law constraints (e.g. OHRV weight/size limits).

I personally wouldn't have a hang up if they classified it as a "tractor". I would re-phrase it from "tractor" to "farm equipment". There's all kinds of farm equipment that can carry a load, even a tractor if it has a loader or something off the 3-point.

The best advice I could offer would be to go discuss this with your law enforcement people. They may or may not have details/specifics but you want to get their insight. There are laws that they would have to note if giving you a citation. So, you want to find out what laws affect your situation.

If it's considered farm equipment, they'll probably want a SMV sign on the rear. Not sure if they'll want much more. They "may" state that it's only allowed on the road while performing duties related to farming.

What's just as important (to me) as the laws themselves is how they enforce them. I make it a point to visit our Police Chief a couple times a year to discuss their enforcement of off-road vehicles on the roads. So far (and in general), although ATV/UTV's and such aren't allowed on the roads (by state law), as long as the driver is applying due diligence and acting in a safe manor, they won't stop you. Basically, stay off the main roads, don't speed or drive erratic, lights being on is preferred... Oh, the reason I check with the Police Chief somewhat regularly is because it only takes one incident for them to have to change their policy. E.g. If an off-road vehicle hit a pedestrian or if a vehicle hit an ATV, they may have to start enforceing the laws more strictly.