Arkansas counties open roads to UTVs under Act 922

Arkansas Act 922 of 2025 lets cities and counties open some public roads to UTVs, but only if local leaders act first and riders meet equipment, registration and insurance rules. A Fayetteville shop is spelling out the checklist as counties begin adopting the law.

Why it matters: - Act 922 could expand where side-by-sides can legally travel in Arkansas, but only in places where local officials opt in. - Riders who miss the equipment or paperwork requirements can still be barred from using public roads, even after a county or city opens them. - The law creates a local-government patchwork, so riders need to check rules before driving outside their usual trails or private property.

What happened: - High Clearance UTV, a women-owned UTV parts and service shop in Fayetteville, shared a plain-language checklist for side-by-side owners as more Arkansas counties begin opening roads under Act 922 of 2025. - The law took effect in August 2025. - Act 922 lets a city council open streets by ordinance and a county judge open county roads by executive order. - Newton County Judge Warren Campbell issued an order in December 2025 that opened public roads in Newton County's unincorporated areas to UTVs. - Boone County Judge Mitchell Archer held a public hearing on Oct. 13, 2026, on the same issue and said afterward that an executive order is likely.

The details: - The law applies only where a city or county has taken formal action. - A UTV must be 80 inches wide or less and have a steering wheel, non-straddle seats and rollover protection. - A legal UTV must have at least two headlamps. - A legal UTV must have rear-facing turn signals. - A legal UTV must have at least one brake light. - A legal UTV must have seatbelts. - A legal UTV must be state-registered, with the decal placed on the driver-side roll bar. - A legal UTV must carry insurance at the private passenger vehicle minimum, with proof kept in the vehicle. - The driver must have a valid driver's license. - Roads with posted speed limits over 55 mph remain off limits. - Divided four-lane highways remain off limits. - State park roads remain off limits. - ATVs and golf carts are not covered by the law. - High Clearance UTV carries turn signal kits for the Polaris RZR, Polaris Ranger, Polaris General, Can-Am Maverick X3, Honda Pioneer, Honda Talon and Kawasaki Teryx KRX. - The shop also carries universal kits for other machines. - High Clearance UTV installs UTV lighting, turn signals and electrical upgrades at its Fayetteville location. - High Clearance UTV offers rig pickup within 30 miles.

Between the lines: - The new law is not a blanket road pass for side-by-sides. - Local approval is only the first step; vehicle equipment and driver compliance still determine whether a UTV can legally use the road. - Samantha Jeck, owner of High Clearance UTV, said riders often stop at the headline that UTVs are allowed on the road and miss the local-approval and equipment requirements. - Jeck also said riders should check before driving and bring in a machine if they are unsure what equipment it has.

What's next: - Riders in Washington and Benton counties should check with their city or county judge's office before driving a UTV on a public road. - More counties could follow Newton County if local leaders choose to issue orders under Act 922. - Owners who want to prepare their machines can use local shops to install the required lighting, signaling and electrical equipment.

The bottom line: - Act 922 opens a door, but only local action plus the right equipment, registration, insurance and licensing make a UTV road-legal in Arkansas.