Riding an ATV is thrilling and fun, especially when riding with other people; however, one important thing when riding an ATV is always to do so legally. Operating your ATV legally means riding in a designated area and sticking to the ATV laws of the state you are riding in. To understand the ATV laws of Nebraska, you will find this blog post helpful.
Nebraska ATV laws include: ATVs should not be operated on any highway, crossing an access highway with ATVs is not permitted except in some situations, and all ATVs must have a certificate of title. You can ride your ATV legally in Cedar Run ATV Trail, Bessey OHV Trail System, and Fiddler Creek MX.
Nebraska is the 16th largest state in the United States; it is a beautiful state with different terrain. If you are looking for a varied terrain to operate your ATV, Nebraska is the ideal state for you.
Nebraska ATV Laws
ATVs in Nebraska are classified as any motorized off-highway vehicle with a width of 50 inches or less, travels on three or more low-pressure tires, has handlebars for steering control, has a seat for the operator, has a dry weight of 900 pounds or less, and is designed for operator's use only except it is specifically designed to carry a passenger.
Below are the ATV laws enforced in Nebraska:
- It is compulsory to obtain a certificate of title for every newly purchased ATV.
- ATVs that have been modified to include additional equipment are not required to be registered.
- You can cross a highway with an ATV only when the vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing; the crossing is done at a 90 degrees angle to the direction of the highway, and at a place where there is no obstruction, the crossing is made only at an intersection, the operator yields to the right of way to all oncoming traffic, and both headlights and tail lights are illuminated when the crossing is made.
- An ATV should not be operated on the highway, except the operation is related to the vehicle's use for agriculture and must be done between sunrise and sunset.
- Anyone operating an ATV on the highway should have a valid Class O operator's license or a farm permit and must not exceed the speed of 30 mph.
- ATVs operating on a highway must always have their headlights and taillights illuminated and should be equipped with a bicycle safety flag which must be triangular, dayglow in color, and should not exceed the area of 30 square inches.
- All ATVs must be equipped with a functioning brake system, a United States Forest Service qualified spark arrestor, and an adequately functioning muffler system.
- It is illegal to add modifications to your ATV like equipping the exhaust system with a bypass or cut-out, removing the spark arrestor, or operating the vehicle with a modified exhaust system, except if the ATV is used for competition events.
Where Can You Ride Your ATV In Nebraska?
Nebraska is called the Cornhusker state; it is famous for its varying grasslands, forested valleys, and rolling plains. It is an ideal state for ATV riding as you can be sure to enjoy the varied terrain and the region's scenery. At the state, you can explore marshes, lakes, and grasslands while riding your ATV.
Nebraska terrain is very suitable for ATV riding; there are different trails with challenging terrains to display your ATV driving skills. Below are some of the places to ride an ATV in Nebraska.
Cedar Run ATV Trail
Cedar Run ATV Trail is an off-road park with about 9 miles of trails that goes through hills, trees, and grassy meadows. It is open only during the daylight; night riding and camping are prohibited at this park. This ATV trail is usually open all year round but might be temporarily closed due to inclement weather or trail maintenance.
The maximum vehicle width at this trail is 65 inches, and all vehicles must have a spark arrestor and not exceed the noise limit of 96 decibels. The terrain at this trail is mostly hard-packed and has many trees; however, it also consists of loose dirt, berms, rocks, shades, dust, mud, small jumps, water crossings, and steep hills.
The vehicles permitted at Cedar Run ATV Trail are ATVs, SXSs, Dirt bikes, UTVs, and Motorcycles; others like Sand rail 4x4s, Jeeps, Dune buggies, and SUVs are prohibited. Every rider at this park is required to put on an MX helmet when riding. There are no fees for entry, parking, or riding on this trail.
Bessey OHV Trail System
Bessey OHV Trail System consists of several public Nebraska trails, which altogether are about 36 miles. Some of the trails are in forest areas, while grasslands surround some. The terrain on these trails is sandy, but there are also some sharp curves and straightways.
Motorcycles, ATVs, SXSs, UTVs, and dirt bikes are permitted at Bessey OHV Trail System. The vehicles allowed must not exceed 64 inches in width. Other off-road vehicles like Jeeps, Dune buggies, SUVs, and Sand rail 4x4s are prohibited at this trail system.
You can access Bessey OHV Trail System from the main parking lot of Bessey Recreation Complex, Whitetail Campground, the Dismal Trailhead, and the Powerline Trailhead. This trail system is open all year round, and a fee of $5.00 is required to park at this trail. The amenities provided at this trail system are restrooms, picnic tables, tents for camping, drinking water, and parking space.
Fiddler Creek MX
Fiddler Creek MX is a private area that is open to members only; hence, you must register as a member to ride your ATV at this track. The membership fee for individuals is $250 while for families is $300; the membership is valid from January 1 to December 31. The terrain in this area contains loose dirt, small jumps, berms, trees, mud, large jumps, dust, and sand.
There are two tracks in this area; the main track and a beginner's track. Hence, if you are new to ATV riding, you can practice at the beginners' track while the expert riders use the main track. Vehicles at this park do not need a spark arrestor exhaust silencer or an end cap installed.
ATVs, Dirt bikes, and Motorcycles are the vehicles allowed at Fiddler Creek MX; Sand rail 4x4s, Dune buggies, Jeeps, SUVs, UTVs, and SXSs are prohibited. Riders are required to wear an MX helmet at all times when riding. There is no fee for parking, riding, or entry into this area.
Where Can’t You Ride Your ATV In Nebraska?
According to the ATV laws in Nebraska, you cannot ride or operate an ATV on any public road or highway except in certain conditions. ATVs are considered off-highway vehicles in Nebraska; hence, they are prohibited from public streets also.
Some places in Nebraska were formally open to ATV but are now closed due to some circumstances. You cannot ride your ATV in those areas, which are White Sand Raceway, Headworks OHV Park, and Fox Run Motocross Track.
Final Thoughts
ATV riding should be fun and exciting; however, this can only happen when it is done legally and in the right place. There is no fun riding an all-terrain vehicle on the highway. You would enjoy it when you ride on off-road terrains.
There is also no fun riding an ATV illegally with law enforcement officers on your heels. This is why you should only operate your ATV in the designated areas and comply with all set rules. You can visit any of the designated areas mentioned and enjoy ATV riding with your friends and families.
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Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.