True or False - The Best UTV Tires are DOT Rated/Approved?
I bet you're here because someone told you DOT UTV tires are better than Non-DOT rated UTV tires. We're not sure where this story started but we are here to set the story straight and give you the straight facts.
So, the quick answer for those of you looking to get straight to the point is: FALSE. There are no, nor have there ever been, any DOT-rated/approved tires.
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 within the United States 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.
How about Valor Offroad UTV Tires, are any 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.
