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All-Purpose Vehicles (APV) and Utility Vehicles (UTV) are legally allowed to be driven on some Washington County and township roads as part of Sheriff Mark Warden’s list of campaign promises.

“The sheriff’s responsibility is the inspection, the law is there but the people need to know,” said Warden.

The Washington County Commissioners approved the resolution to approve the use of APVs and UTVs on county roads under the authority of the board of commissioners in November 2024.

State and federal law prohibits APVs and UTVs on state and interstate routes, so these vehicles aren’t permitted to travel on state highways or interstate routes regardless of county resolutions.

Warden said the resolution and Ohio Revised Code language can be confusing so it’s important to understand what the vehicle registration is before taking it on the roads.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Washington County speed zones

APVs are most commonly known as all-terrain and all-season vehicles, trail and mini bikes. Most all-terrain vehicles are classified and registered as APVs.

UTVs are classified as self-propelled vehicles with a bed for transporting construction, forestry, agricultural cargo and more.

Some side-by-sides might be registered as an APV or UTV so it’s important to check the vehicle title and registration for proper identification.

“The resolution went into effect earlier this year and the issue is mostly just understanding the law and what the language means,” said Warden.

APVs are allowed on Washington County roads and highways under local jurisdictions. UTVs are allowed on Washington County roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Roads that are not marked with speed limits have a default speed limit of 55 mph in the state of Ohio, so UTVs are not authorized to be driven on unmarked roads.

Township trustees have control over whether APVs and UTVs are allowed on the roads within their jurisdictions. Some townships haven’t opted-in to the commissioners resolution to allow these vehicles on the roads within their townships. Warden said the best thing to do is check with the local township trustees to find out what the regulations are within a township.

“To legally ride on township’s roads, it’s up to the trustees to have that resolution so some townships have the resolution and some don’t,” he said.

Warden said the sheriff’s department isn’t in control of what county roads are legal or not within the townships, but their job is to enforce proper registration and UTV inspection.

Operation of these vehicles requires a driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance for APV or UTV coverage. APVs aren’t required to be inspected but UTVs require inspection in order to be registered.

APV requirements are: valid driver’s license, insurance, registration and plates, one headlight and one taillight with brakes and a muffler, no inspection required and there are no restrictions on roads under county jurisdiction or under the jurisdiction of townships that allow operation.

UTV requirements are: valid driver’s license, insurance, registration and plates, brakes, lights, turn signals, steering, horn, glass, mirror, exhaust systems, windshield wipers, and tires. Inspections are required before registration. UTVs are limited to county roads 35 mph or under.

Contact 740-376-7070 ext. 0 for UTV inspection and have the VIN number present before calling.