Off-road vehicle insurance

ATVs, UTVs and Dirt Bikes in Florida: A Family Checklist for Titles, Roads and Riders

Written and reviewed by Mikhail Kozlov, licensed insurance agent, M&K AgencyPublished October 3, 20263 min read

From the groves of South Dade to the ranches up north, ATVs, side-by-sides and dirt bikes are tools, toys and family time. They are also serious machines. A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report estimates about 102,000 emergency-room injuries a year involving off-highway vehicles across the U.S., and 107 reported deaths in Florida from 2019 to 2021 (CPSC). Overturns and collisions were the most common patterns in fatal incidents.

Use this checklist when you buy, ride or lend one.

When you buy one: the title

Florida treats ATVs, two-rider ATVs, ROVs (side-by-sides) and off-highway motorcycles used off the road as off-highway vehicles (s. 317.0003).
An off-highway vehicle bought by a Florida resident, or owned by a resident and used on public lands, must be titled (s. 317.0006).
A seller must hand over the title with the transfer completed. Buying a used machine without one makes it hard to prove ownership, including after a theft.

When you ride: roads and county rules

ATVs are not allowed on public roads, with one exception: daytime riding on an unpaved road with a posted speed limit under 35 mph (s. 316.2123). A county can opt out of that exception, or designate specific unpaved roads for daytime ATV use. So check your county’s rules before you ride from the farm to a neighbor’s place. Where road use is allowed, the operator must be a licensed driver or a minor under the direct supervision of one, and must show proof of ownership if asked.

When kids ride

Every ATV rider or operator under 16 must wear a DOT helmet and eye protection (s. 316.2074).
Match the machine to the rider: an adult-size ATV is not a kid’s ride.
Count the seats. A passenger on a single-rider ATV changes how it handles.

Have an ATV, UTV or dirt bike?

See our Florida ATV, UTV and dirt bike insurance guide for the coverage gaps families miss, starting with the homeowners policy.

After a crash

If a crash kills someone or injures someone who is then treated by a doctor, each ATV operator involved must give notice of the crash under s. 316.2074. Take photos, get names and call your agent. The questions that decide what gets paid are usually liability, medical payments and whether the person riding was allowed to.

Coverage depends on each policy. Many homeowners policies limit motorized vehicles; ask a licensed agent how yours treats an ATV or UTV.

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for kids on ATVs in Florida?

Anyone under 16 who operates or rides an ATV must wear a DOT helmet and eye protection (s. 316.2074). On the limited unpaved roads where ATVs are allowed, the operator must be a licensed driver or a minor under the direct supervision of a licensed driver. Parks and private land can have their own rules too.

Do I need a title for a used dirt bike or ATV?

Yes, an off-highway vehicle bought by a Florida resident or used on public lands must be titled, and the seller must give you the title with the transfer completed.

Can I ride my side-by-side on a county road?

Only if the road is unpaved, the posted limit is under 35 mph, it is daytime, and your county has not opted out, or if the county has designated that road for ATV use. Check your county’s rules.

What should I do after an ATV crash?

Get help for anyone injured, give notice of the crash if someone died or was treated by a doctor, take photos and call your agent to report the claim.

This article is general information, not legal advice or policy language. Coverage depends on the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy, and eligibility rules can change. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.

Sources

Facts checked against these official sources on October 3, 2026.