As outdoor activities gain popularity in Wisconsin, new regulations have been introduced to enhance safety for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility terrain vehicle (UTV) users. These rules, effective from the beginning of this month, aim to address the rising number of accidents associated with these vehicles.
The updated guidelines, approved unanimously by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board, encompass several key areas including seat belt usage, towing restrictions, and window tinting limitations. According to the new rules, “ALL occupants of a UTV including the driver and passengers have to wear a seat belt,” as stated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The initiative to revise the regulations comes amidst a significant increase in ATV and UTV registrations, with the DNR reporting over 528,000 registered vehicles as of January. The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association, boasting over 40,000 members and 130 local chapters, played a role in discussions with lawmakers to update these rules. Randy Harden, the association’s president, explained that inconsistent regulations and observed behaviors on trails prompted these changes.
Previously, the seat belt law was not uniformly applied to drivers and passengers due to unclear wording, as revealed when a rider contested a ticket in court. Harden clarified, “The judge looked at the wording that was drafted, and it said all passengers must wear a seat belt, (but) didn’t say the driver. This (new rule) corrects that, and says all passengers and the driver must wear a seat belt.”
The urgency for these changes is underscored by concerning statistics: the DNR reported at least 300 ATV/UTV crashes last year, resulting in 277 injuries. Moreover, of the 41 fatalities in 2025, 32 involved individuals not wearing seat belts. This year marked the second-deadliest on record for such incidents in Wisconsin.
Despite the clear seat belt mandate, compliance remains uncertain. Harden remarked, “Will everybody do it? Absolutely not. Does everybody wear their seat belts in the car? No, but that doesn’t mean you stop trying, and that’s really what this effort is.”
Enforcement will rely on regular patrols by conservation wardens, sheriff’s offices, and local police, with officers using education and citations to ensure compliance with the new regulations. In 2024, 115 citations were issued to operators not wearing seat belts.
Towing, Tinting Rules Among Other Requirements
The new rules also prohibit towing people on roadways or trails, with exceptions for private lands and on ice at speeds under 10 miles per hour. Harden noted the practicality of these exceptions, stating, “It excludes if your machine breaks down. That’s a common-sense exclusion.”
Additional regulations include mandatory DOT-approved helmets for riders under 18 and required eye protection if a vehicle lacks a windshield. Window tinting restrictions have also been introduced, and causing intentional damage to an ATV/UTV now incurs fines up to three times the repair cost.
