True or False: Are the best UTV tires DOT rated or approved?
You might have heard that DOT UTV tires are better than non-DOT-rated tires. We’re here to clear up the confusion and share the real facts.
Here’s the quick answer: FALSE.
There have never been any DOT-rated or DOT-approved UTV tires... like EVER.
Are some tires developed to perform at ridiculous speeds and under even more ridiculous terrains? You bet. However, the important thing to remember is that no U.S. law or regulation in the Federal Register governs the street, road, or highway use/application of UTV tires in any manner. As of 2023, no classification, regulation, or guideline exists that would make or allow any UTV tire to be considered "street legal" or approved by the NHTSA or DOT.
Are any Valor Offroad UTV tires DOT approved?
No. We'll say it again... there is no such thing as a DOT-rated/approved/certified UTV or ATV tire (yet).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tires offered for sale in the United States incorrectly labeled and marketed as being compliant with DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are prohibited.
This means that the symbol “DOT” cannot appear on any ATV, UTV, or Not for Highway Service (NHS) tire. Only tires intended for a vehicle certified to the FMVSS are legally permitted to be marked with “DOT” and may be marketed as conforming to the FMVSS.
Language that tires are “approved,” “certified,” or “compliant” with DOT standards are also prohibited per FMVSS standards.
Refer to NHTSA and FMVSS statement below:
According to 49 U.S.C. § 30102, a “motor vehicle” is defined as: (7) ‘‘motor vehicle’’ means a vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways, but does not include a vehicle operated only on a rail line.
Based on this definition, there are no FMVSS that apply to UTV or ATV tires, because UTVs and ATVs are not manufactured for use on public roadways. Additionally, 49 C.F.R. § 574, Tire Identification and Recordkeeping states:
49 C.F.R. § 574.5(e)(1) - The DOT symbol constitutes a certification that the marked tire conforms to an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. And:
49 C.F.R. § 574.5(e)(3) – The DOT symbol must not appear on tires to which no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard is applicable.
