Are There Any DOT-Compliant ATV or UTV Tires?

What To Do If You Need DOT-Compliant Tires On Your Machine

In recent months you've probably heard about the new DOT regulations that have come out surrounding ATV and UTV tires, and naturally, we're sure you have a lot of questions that have come up. Most notably, we want to help you figure out whether or not the tires you've got on your machine are compliant with American rules and regulations to keep you good to go on the road.

Today, we'll be diving into the DOT's stance on ATV/UTV tires and some steps you can take to make sure your machine is always good to go, road or trail. Let's jump right in.

Table Of Contents

-DOT Rules For ATV/UTV Tires

-Can You Still Ride With Non-DOT Tires On The Road?

-Which Tires Should You Put On Your Machine To Be DOT Compliant?

-Shop Light Truck Tires For Your ATV, UTV or Side By Side

DOT Rules For ATV/UTV Tires

Here's where it gets weird. All tires manufactured and sold in America for road use have to have a stamp on them that denotes them being "DOT Compliant." These tires need to be compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), which in a nutshell means that they've been subjected to rigorous testing and rated for safe use on any American road.

The problem here is that the DOT symbol cannot appear on any tires where the FMVSS standard is not applicable, and since ATV/UTV-specific tires are not considered 'Motor Vehicle' tires, they're disqualified from DOT certification from the jump.

This also means that only tires that are meant for use on FMVSS-rated vehicles (meaning trucks, SUVs, off-roaders, etc.) can receive DOT certification, so if you want to get your machine out on the road, you might need a set of tires that are meant for use on these kinds of vehicles first and foremost.

Can You Still Ride With Non-DOT Tires On The Road?

Probably not. Legally, no non-DOT compliant tire is allowed to drive on a road where you'll be sharing the pavement with larger vehicles designed for road use. Some jurisdictions will be more lax than others as far as enforcement goes, but for your own safety and to avoid a conversation with law enforcement that none of us want, it's best to stay DOT-compliant when you're on the road or highway.

Which Tires Should You Put On Your Machine To Be DOT Compliant?

Any tire that's meant for light truck use and can also fit on an ATV or UTV should do the trick. The only rule is that these tires have to be compliant, so if you have a DOT-compliant light truck tire on your machine, you should be good to go regardless.

Shop Light Truck Tires For Your ATV, UTV or Side By Side at Function Powersports

Unfortunately, at this time we don't have any light truck-rated tires in our store, but we invite you to give our sales team a shout today so we can help you get a set custom ordered. We offer high-quality options from leading brands like Mickey Thompson, Nitto and many more, so you should have no trouble snagging a set that can keep you moving forward on the road or trail!